Self-Care Academy Newsletter September, 2011
Volume 5 - Issue 9

What Does Self-Care Mean to You?
by Nancy Carlson

As you contemplate what self care means to you, it can take many forms. It can be:

• Physical - loosing some excess weight, increasing aerobic activity, weight training, preventive health check-ups, using sunscreen, etc.

• Mental - changing negative thought patterns/self talk, non-violent communication, etc.

• Emotional - improving relationships with self and others, speaking your truth, saying 'no', overcoming fear and lack of confidence, etc.

• Spiritual - Exploring your feelings on death and dying, life purpose, relationship to creator/god, universal love, etc.

Self care can change and evolve with your development as a human being... continuing to move you toward authenticity. Your focus of care may change as to what is important to you... your values. All in all, it is your personal journey, of your lifetime.

To truly incorporate self care into one's daily life, one must learn to embrace change. That change may include old habits and beliefs, opinions, fears, the unknown...

The practice of this change runs deeper that we may think. It's like an underground spring of fresh, cool, clear water that resides in all of us. We will not find it on the surface of life... people, things, stuff, all that is impermanent, material in form and nature. But found by tapping into this deep spring of true life/true self, one brings new meaning to change....

As in nature, change is a natural, constant presence. Life is change. So, why not embrace the ebb and flow of the natural world, as it is. Instead of trying to control and be in the image of 'swimming upstream'... which just creates more grief and suffering and no possibility for change.

We have six senses in our human body. They are our connection to life through sight, hearing, taste, touch, speech and smell. These are our windows and doors between us and the world we live in. We can abuse these senses in many different ways by clouding or suppressing them, harming them or using them negatively with ourselves and others.

We often try to control our senses in dieting by making heavy restrictions and limiting tastes, smell and vision. Also, by suppression of our voice or 'truth' and speaking disturbing words, hurting ourselves and others. We live in polluted environments that effect our sense of smell and eat heavily processed food and drink tainted water. Visually we subject our beautiful eyes to harsh lights, bombard them with images of violence, fear, hate, and spend hours of the day sitting in front of TV's and computers. We treat our skin with chemicals and either have lost the pleasure of touch or experience wrong touch. What we choose to listen to everyday also affects us, even subconsciously.

It goes on and on... unseen, unheard and unaware.

So, as we open our windows of the senses, we should be discerning, careful of our choices. These are the doors to our well being and to our very souls.

Living with our senses, not by restricting or blocking them, hiding from them... but, by using our senses with love and compassion for ourselves, others and the world we live in... this is self care. It is not about indulging in our senses, but enjoying them by making positive, discerning choices of how we use them.

For example, seeing and using your eyes... what do you choose to watch on TV or read, what kind of lighting do you live and work in, what pictures, images do you look at, colors, clothes... is there beauty in your daily life?

The question to ask is,

"Does this support my health and well-being - or not?"

Keep the question simple and the answer will be too!

Work with one sense at a time. Be aware of what you are observing and then ask the question...

As you start to change in how you use your senses, you may notice more beauty, joy, gratitude and feelings of well-being. You may also notice less attachment to the indulgence or blocking of your senses. You are beginning to make healthier choices by discernment. And learning joy...

All in all, self care is self love. Our self love, then, can embrace others and this beautiful world. Let us enjoy life as best we can...

Bon Appetite!!

We want to thank you for the overwhelming response to My Self-Care Journey!  We are thrilled to see so many individuals, teams and entire organizations embracing the power of this simple, yet effective tool for self-care improvement & compassion fatigue prevention!

We have also listened to your feedback and improved our login process!  Be sure to check it out!  www.myself-carejourney.com.

And if you haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for?

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Visit us at the
ANCC Magnet Conference
in Baltimore, October 4-6, 2011 in booth #821!

Stop by our booth to see how Self-Care Academy supports the Healthy Work Environment tenent of Magnetism!

Invite Kim to Speak!

If you need a motivating, thought-provoking, inspiring, passionate and humorous presentation on "Caring for the Caregiver. How About Me?" for your next event or conference, contact Kim today and find out what she can deliver for you!

Here are what people are saying about Kim from the recent 2011 BSSF Caring Conference: A Focus on Self-Care for Healthcare Providers:

"Kim was amazing! She really re-energized me to get moving with myself, my life, and my career."

"Such a wonderful, supportive environment to give support to finding care for our bodies, minds, and souls. Would like to keep this conference as a yearly tool (maybe use it like we use the nursing retreats) to help our staff find renewal for themselves."

"Wish more staff nurses could have heard this info. Nice and encouraging day. Feel energized and more excited to care for our patients."

Consider Kim for your next event!  Contact her today!

Kim Richards
Self-Care Academy
303-904-9803
kim@self-careacademy.com

Give the gift of

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