Guest post by Kevin Devoto

A wise individual once said, “An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly”. Are you constantly on the go? Do you tend to lose yourself in the translation of life? If so, it may be time for you to introduce a self-care regimen into that active life of yours.  

First thing first, what exactly is self-care? It is quite simple. It can be any planned activity that will have a positive effect on your mind, body, and soul. Sounds simple enough, right? Now, because there are so many different tasks a person can choose to delve into, it can get a bit confusing in the beginning. Therefore, here are a few ideas of where to start in on your journey of self-love.

The Mind

When a person is continuously on the go, it can be easy to lose focus on the importance of keeping his or her mind in check. Mental self-care can be categorized as any activity that can help a person destress as well as help keep his or her mind sharp. A routine task a person can do is to take some time out to prepare him or herself a nice, hot cup of tea with the side of a riveting book.

Unsure of what type of herb you should use to relax? Eleuthero, also known as Siberian Ginseng, is a great place to start. It is an ancient, Asian herb that is notoriously known for its many health benefits. What are some of these acclaimed health benefits, you may ask? Well, to begin with, this herb can boost your immune system, energy levels, and possibly even give you that mental boost you may be looking for. In addition to those benefits, this specific herb can also be a lifesaver for those anxious souls out there. This is because this herb is also known as an adaptogen, which means that it can have the power to teach your body how to respond to stressful situations in the best way possible. So, whether you are a tea lover or a person who prefers his or her supplements in pill form, this versatile plant can be a great addition to your next step into introspection.

The Body

Self-care is not solely about tending to your mental state. It is also about cherishing and spoiling yourself on a more physical level. As for how exactly someone can accomplish this form of self-love, it is rather quite simple. It all depends on you and your preference. Physical self-care can be any activity that can improve a person’s physical health. Effortless activities such as getting enough sleep, taking more walks, or even becoming vegan or vegetarian can be a great place to start. In addition to those activities, a massage or spa day can also be an excellent self-care option for the body following a grueling workout or a stressful week. 

The Soul

 After all that physical activity, it may be the time to journey a little deeper into a space most tend to neglect. This is where spiritual self-care, also known as soul-care, can come into play. Now, there are several ways a person may attempt to accomplish his or her new path of self-healing, but one popular method tends to be through meditation. Even though there are several ways a person can meditate, one golden rule most tend to follow is to stay focused on his or her breath. When a person focuses solely on his or her breath, anxiety and distractions tend to be able to leave the mind easily.

 Another thing to note is that when a person meditates, the act itself can have a positive effect on his or her mind, body, and soul. For instance, it can help reduce anxiety, improve heart health, and increase a person’s level of spiritual awareness through rekindling a connection to his or her higher self. As you can see, there is a certain level of interrelation when it comes to self-care. Whether you are a fan of unique herbs, eating healthy, or meditating, self-care in all forms can be a great way to spark the fire to your lantern. 

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Our "TWO CENTS"

We completely agree that self-care is important!

BUT!!!! Truth be told, we are NOT great with meditating, or calming down with a cup of tea...On top of that, because exercise IS our business, it does not always supply the stress relief that it otherwise would.

Our secret to self-care is always at our fingertips..........and it is.....

ANIMAL VIDEOS!!!  You name it, puppies, kittens, monkeys, all creatures great and small being loving and cute...IT DOESN'T MATTER.

Happy, loving animal videos on YouTube can change our moods in a heartbeat.  

We HIGHLY recommend it for self-care.... and, of course, meditation, herbal tea, exercise too.....