BY DR. LISA GOODMAN, DC, CCSP, CACCP, CF-L

In the age of social media, self care has never been easier. It has also never been more difficult! A quick search of the hashtag #self-care reveals several life hacks, suggestions to get massages more often, uplifting memes about letting go of stress and loving yourself more. Conversely, a quick scroll through your Facebook or Instagram feed may reveal a plethora of posts that – in short – Bring. You. Down. In addition to reading toxic posts that accumulate and create negative energy, simply spending too much time on devices is also contributing to your energy deterioration. Along with decreasing your device use, check out some more tips for improving your self care!

Why is self care so important?

Some of us, myself included, are driven by projects, to-do lists and checking boxes. We may even argue that we thrive on this type of workload. In reality, it is not productive to burn the candle at both ends. Self care is so important because we need to fill our tanks before we can fill anyone else’s. We cannot be there for our children – in a calm and caring manner – if we are ‘at our wit’s end.’ We won’t be able to give equally and supportively to our spouse/partner if we have ‘had it up to here.’ Honestly, we just won’t be very fun to be around if we are worried about deadlines, reading negative social media and moving too quickly from one thing to the next.

Easy Self Care Tips

1. Unfollow toxic posters. They may be some of your best friends, but when it comes to social media, they are choosing to only post complaints. Your best bet is to let them go (at least online!)

2. Self Care Sunday. Maybe you really are running around all week, and perhaps you love the checklist. Try taking one day off completely from work. Sleep in, settle in with a book for an hour, maybe a bath on Sunday night, take the dog for a long walk around Wash Park. Want to get out of the house while practicing good self care? Try a 90 minute yoga class or wander around Cherry Creek mall on no timeline without your kids!

3. Delegate chores. Have you tried any grocery delivery services? Seems like a pretty easy way to take more time for yourself and less time at the grocery store. Don’t forget the little people in your home are capable of more than you think. The less laundry you are doing, the more time you have for yourself.

4. Top 5 stretches. Choose your top five stretches from yoga, etc. and do them at night three ways. 1) Do your 5 stretches in while your kids are doing homework or taking a bath 2) Try them with your kids at bedtime 3) Do them at your desk when you need a 5 minute break.

Need some inspiration? My go-to top 5 stretches; Cat Cow, Bird Dog, Cobra, Hip Bridges, Child’s Pose.

5. Get a massage! (or float, salt cave, acupuncture, meditation date, or nurturing yoga class) In Wash Park your options for appointment-based self care are endless. I strongly recommend supporting the small, local businesses that support your self care. Check out Peace of Mind Sacred Wellness, Easy Float, 5 Star Salt Caves, Mayu Sanctuary, and Iyengar Yoga to support your self care.

Slightly More Difficult Self Care Tips

1. Get off social media altogether! Let that sink in for a bit. Maybe try a week or weekend at a time. Just stay away and see how much better you feel not letting all of that content accumulate in your brain.

2. Self Care Retreat / Time away. Our massage therapist, Lynsey Mauldin just completed a 10 day silent retreat. Can you imagine the amount of self-care that can result from 10 days of silence and mediation? Check out Vipassana Meditation Center at dhamma.org

3. Change your eating! This can be tough because you really have to stick to it to make a meaningful change. For starters, get rid of sugar, carbs, dairy and alcohol. Sounds hard? It is. But the change you’ll notice is gigantic. You’ll reduce your weight, increase your energy and improve your health for the long term. If you need support, our nutritionist at Wash Park Chiro is second to none!

This valentine’s day (or sometime during that week), take some time for yourself! The more you love yourself, the more you can love everyone in your life.