How do you take care of you?

I woke up yesterday and felt like complete sh*t. I had a lot on my mind and I couldn’t shut it down. I woke up at 4am and never went back to sleep. Not a good start of the day. I felt like a zombie. I decided to make myself a coffee and go for a walk down to the beach.

I descended the long set of steps to the sand and the sun was just starting to shine through the houses at the crest above the beach. It was beautiful. The ocean was loud and the waves were crashing. The wind was strong and salty. I sat at the bottom of the steps, sipped my coffee, breathed and took it all in slowly. I was alone and the beach was empty.

I only had 15 minutes. I set my alarm on my phone because I had to get the kids to school. On my way up, I realized I was smiling. I noted it. It seemed strange that after feeling so rotten from a bad nights sleep on my way down that on my way up I felt like a different person. I felt so much better. I felt more alive. Still tired but content. I was thankful for my coffee, the sunrise, the beach, the waves, the ocean air and the exercise going down and back up the stairs.

As I was thinking about how much happier I was, I stopped because I saw a little sticker on the Beach Rules sign posted at the upper landing of the stairs, it read in small letters, gratitude & joy. Someone had posted this little sticker on the side of the big sign. This was no coincidence, I immediately realized it. It was gratitude that created joy in me in that 15 minute break I gave myself. I took a picture of the little sticker to remind myself what had just happened.

It all begins with you, if you do not take care of yourself, you will not be strong enough to take care of anything in life.

Leon Brown

On those days that you’re not feeling that great and need to take better care of yourself, what do you do to make yourself feel better? It may be something going on at work or stress from an upcoming deadline or drama at home with a teenager or problems at home with your spouse. Really, it could be a whole host or combination of things but you just don’t feel the same.

When I’m feeling stressed these are my go-to strategies to beat my blues. Some require some time and others, like my morning 15-minute walk to the beach require less. I find that taking my head out of whatever it is that is bothering me for 15 minutes is all I need to think more clearly and positively.

• TAKE A WALK – Anywhere helps. Especially if you are going to bump into people that you know. Any conversation separate from what’s on your mind helps. Even if it’s down the street. Nature helps too. A park. Down the street. The beach. Whatever, just get out.
• TAKE A BATH OR SHOWER – Oh this one is my favorite. Everyone has a bathtub or a shower. There is something amazing that happens when warm water hits our bodies. It feels good. The process of cleansing the body feels good and rejuvenates the mind. I like a hot soak in the tub with Eucalyptus oil and Epsom salts. I buy Epson salts in bulk. It relaxes my muscles which in turn relaxes my mind.
• LISTEN TO MUSIC – Ok, I love house music and I listen to it on volume 10. Yes, I am 49 years old and LOVE Avicii, Deadmau5, Eric Prydz, Above & Beyond, etc and blasting house music in my car is definitely my therapy. Whatever it is you like, turn it up and let it fill your brain. Sing at the top of your lungs. I promise you’ll feel better. Let the music fill you head with goodness.
• STRETCH AND BREATHE – There’s something about stretching and breathing that makes me feel a thousand times better. But, you have to breathe. When I mean breathe, it goes like this, count to ten slowly in your head while you inhale, it’s not easy, you have to inhale slowly and count. Then, exhale slowly and count to ten. Again, exhaling to ten is not easy. It takes effort and persistence. Do this over and over in your head. Just your breathing will relax your muscles and your brain. The counting will take over your overly excessive brain and relax you.
• JUST BREATHE – Breathe with eyes closed in a quiet corner without stretching as delineated above.
• CALL A FRIEND – Vent, vent, vent. Just the venting will make you feel better. Don’t keep whatever is bothering you in, the more you vent and let it out, the better you will feel and can process next steps. Thank God for good friends!
• GO TO AN EXERCISE CLASS OR YOGA – Seeing other people and exercising always makes me feel better. I prefer yoga or an easy exercise class.
• GET A MASSAGE – In California, we are blessed with amazing foot massage places. They are very affordable and feel great. Check to see if you have one near you. I love yelp and always find a good spot. You leave rejuvenated.
• GO TO A SPA/KOREAN SPA – I think I’m going to dedicate a whole blog on Korean Spas. They are amazing. Not everyone is blessed to have one near them. The Koreans know how to rejuvenate the body. You just need to be ok being naked in front of other people and if you’re not, that’s ok too. Just stay away from the wet area. The Shiatzu massages are private and the public places are clothing-mandatory. Check yelp to see if you have one near you.

What are your favorite things to do when you need to release some stress or beat the blues? Share your thoughts below 🙂