Self-Care During Transitions: How to Rest, Reboot, and Recenter
In times of transition, self-care becomes more important than ever. When things around us are shifting, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle and wear yourself out. Then the body will collapse, and you cannot continue with whatever work is left to complete.
This can be seen as burnout or severe illness. One way or the other, your body will claim its right to rest and recouperation. It’s better if you do this intentionally before your body takes the reins to stop you from overworking.
What Does Self-Care Look Like in Real Life?
But what does self-care look like? We all see the generic solutions: good food, exercise, rest, meditation…but what does that really look like in YOUR world? Not everyone connects with these solutions. In fact, some people have severe anxiety around them…and that’s not very self-caring now, is it?
So, how does one find what works for them when it comes to self-care?
How to Identify What Self-Care Means to You
The first thing is to list out what it is that you enjoy. What puts a smile on your face whenever you engage in said activity. What leaves you content and satisfied for the rest of the day. These are the obvious items.
The next thing is to look at the things that, perhaps there is some mixture of excitement and fear or shame around. More excitement than fear, but that fear keeps you from doing it. For me, this category includes arts and crafts. I love mucking about in paint and crafty stuff, but there is a fear of getting in the way and making a mess that keeps me from indulging.
The final thing is to look at those generic items. They are generic because they are good for every human. How can you begin to implement these things, in small ways, into your life? For example, good food. I am not a foodie in any way shape or form. Food is a requirement, not a pleasure, so I tend to eat the fast, easy stuff that’s not good for you.
Small Shifts That Create Big Impact
One way I’ve implemented shifting this trend of processed foods is to make a fresh fruit with peanut butter and protein shake every morning. It’s fast, easy, and not a sugar laden meal that easily takes my body through the day.
I’ve implemented meditation into my life by spending a few moments outside with my bare feet on the ground, closing my eyes, feeling the sun on my skin, and listening to the symphony that surrounds me. This symphony consists of cars driving by, birds singing, dogs barking, the wind through the trees. This gets me present to the here and now and pushes everything else to the background.
All these self-care items help you to shift your mind to the present and off whatever is happening in your life. They give a reprieve of the constant “must get this done” thinking and allows the subconscious to work on the issue at hand without your constant interference. 😉
When you come back to the ‘must dos,’ you will find that, by giving the conscious mind and body a break, you will come back to the active transition with a solution to something and the ability to pull it off, because you’ve rested and taken care of yourself.
Self-care isn’t a luxury during times of transition, it’s your secret weapon. The more you prioritize rest and restoration, the more resilient and resourceful you become. So take that walk, sip that smoothie, make that mess with paint, do whatever fuels your spirit. You’ve earned the right to care for yourself.
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