April 4, 2025 - Tomorrow is National Self-Care Day

I'm a mom and grandma and I often tend to spend my time caring for my family, and while this is a wonderful thing, I also need to spend time caring for myself - and model this for the ones I love so they do the same. Self-Care is a vital part of the things we all need to do each and every day. This is not being "selfish", self-care is essential for our own well-being as without it we will not be able to do the things we need to do for our own lives and we are not able to do the things we do to care for others. Nationaltoday.com explains it in the following way, "Our minds and bodies require adequate rest and care for optimal health and well-being. National Self-Care day emphasizes the importance of self-care as the basis for good health. It’s also a day when individuals are encouraged to prioritize self-care and make it a habit." Let's look at a few facts about caring for yourself and some ideas on how to do so - 

• Self-care is not just for your mental and emotional health; it does wonders for your physical health too! Taking care of yourself is about your overall well-being, so activities like exercising or eating more fruits and vegetables cater to your physical well-being, and have you looking and performing at your best.
• ‘Self-care’ is the act of caring for oneself through means which help us feel our healthiest and happiest. It has become the most common form of healthy living.
• Today self-care has become a global approach to catering to one’s needs and is encouraged through any means which helps you feel your best. 
• This holiday presents the perfect reason for distancing yourself from social media. 
• As I often say, there is something refreshing and rejuvenating about the great outdoors. We can’t explain it, but the peace of mind which comes with taking a long walk, going for a run, or hiking is unmatched. Make sure you spend some of your time today enjoying nature and the fresh air.
• Research shows aromatherapy is just as important as breathing exercises, with smells like citrus proven to alleviate stress.
• Studies have proven being happy, or even pretending to be, by forcing a smile can improve your overall health.
• Jamming up and dancing on your own not only burns calories, but also improves your mood and body image, and can lower your risk of dementia.

You will find more information about Self-Care Day at this link. As Nationaltoday.com says, "The great thing about National Self-Care Day is it is about nothing else but ourselves. With the hustle and bustle of life, it is usually hard and sometimes impossible to put your needs and desires first. This day gives us the perfect opportunity to prioritize ourselves without feeling the unnecessary guilt of doing so."

Make self-care a part of your daily focus, and model this for the ones you love to help them do the same, because they matter and they need to know how important it is to take care of themselves.

Once again today I want to send you my virtual "hug" - You matter. You deserve to be loved and are loved - I love you! You make our world a better place - we need you in this world. I hope you have people around you who tell you these things, but if not, please let me be someone who does. Yes, I say this every day, but these words are true and will always be so. You will find the video at this link.