Self-Care

Hi Friends,

February Love: Let's Talk About Self-Care

Happy February! How's your Love Month going?

During this entire month, love has been the subject of my posts on social media (follow me on Instagram here) and for this newsletter. And I am very happy to contribute to the Valentine's Day avalanche of love and self-care discussions that are typical in February. Because love is one of the most important emotions in the human experience. It's critical to both give it and receive it. And the MOST important object of your love (can you guess?) ...is YOU.  Unfortunately, the subjects of self-love and self-care can feel over discussed, especially if you focus only on taking bubble baths and burning candles (soy, of course).  ​

The Concept of self-care with a Little "s"

Because self-care is one of the primary expressions of self-love, the two are fairly intertwined. But when the subject of self-care comes up, I can almost hear the eye rolls. Do you feel like you've heard enough about it? Making time for yourself with massages, soothing baths, manicures and pedicures...the self-indulgent list goes on. I call these activities self-care with a little 's'.

Do not misunderstand, I LOVE that you do these things for yourself. They calm down your nervous system, and thereby improve your ability to:

• relax
• fully digest your food
• sleep soundly
• make decisions with clarity
• think more creatively
• stay focused and fully present

And this list is not exhaustive. Relaxation from these activities is truly beneficial to your overall health and well-being. And "you can't give from an empty well," as the saying goes. Refueling your energy is essential. So by all means, show yourself some love by making time for the kind of pampering that helps you relax and slow down. 

The Concept of Self-Care with a Big 'S'

What is Self-Care with a big 'S'? Self-Care with a big 'S' requires more from you than the small 's' self-care, but will uplift your experience of life in a Big way (with a big 'B'). It requires keen self-awareness, deliberate effort, and often challenges your thinking about your own importance. Unlike self-care with a little 's', it may feel hard to do, and the positive results may not be experienced immediately.  As such, it requires patience and trust in the worthiness of what you are doing. A few examples of Self-Care with a big 'S' are:

• Keeping your own strong boundaries, even when it means disappointing someone else.
• Making time for yourself, even when it seems like there's no time available.
• Saying "No" to someone else, even when it's really challenging.
• Loving yourself consistently, even when you are upset with yourself.

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In other words, acting in a way that supports and protects your own well-being and self-interest. It shows that you know your own value, and are willing to protect it. It shows others what is important to you, and that you have your own back. In short, it's a full out committment to YOU.

The Benefits of Big 'S' Self-Care

The benefits to you of creating and upholding the actions of this type of Self-Care are profound.

• You have an appreciation of yourself that can be seen by others, which helps you feel better about yourself.
• Your increased self-esteem is picked up by others, which then impacts their perceptions of you.
• Others begin to ask more and assume less when they need something from you. It uplevels the respect they show you.
• Your time is valued more by others when you value your own time. Again, others are not as quick to assume that you can always squeeze in every request they make.
• Taking time for yourself, even when its challenging to do so, gives you time to recharge in ways that, contrary to what you may believe now, actually increases your levels of engagement and productivity. 
• You get to know yourself better, which helps you sort out your own priorities.
• Your self-confidence increases. When you demonstrate how you feel about yourself through this type of Self-Care, others begin to elevate their view of you too.

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In summary, how you treat yourself affects how others treat you, which greatly influences how you feel about yourself. Implementing Big 'S' Self-Care strategies can truly be life changing in terms of your own self-esteem, self-confidence and living your life in a way that works best for you.

Implementing Both Types of Self-Care For Yourself
Creates Maximum Value In Your Life

Caring for your own needs in both big and small 'S' ways will create the greatest impact in your life. Start to pay attention to how you are treating yourself in every way. Of course, flexibility is necessary with self-care, as in every life situation. There will certainly be deadlines that must be met, and reasons to put your own needs aside in favor of doing something for someone you care about. But I caution you to pay attention to how often this happens. If you are feeling burnt out or resentful, like you are constantly doing for others at your own expense, you probably need to take a closer look at how your Self-Care is currently working (or not working) for you.

And true to the word Self-Care, no one else can do this for you. It is your job to set your own boundaries in every area of your life. But it is not always easy, because there are no hard and fast rules. If you find yourself in a sea of confusion or self-doubt about how to handle these big 'S' Self-Care dilemmas, one good option is to get support. Identifying your own boundaries and following through can sometimes be challenging. Having a Coach can help you identify your patterns, and create strategies that help you grow and feel more positive in your relationships with others, whether it be with family, friends, romantic or professional partnerships. In every area, utilizing both kinds of Self-Care will help you experience a happier, healthier life every day.

To talk about how I can help you on your own self-care journey, click here to book a no obligation Discovery Call with me.

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Let's stay connected...even more often! 

To all my social media lovers, in addition to my presence on Facebook, I've finally joined the world of Instagram!  Communicating on social media has been a great way to talk directly to the women I love, women like you. I enjoy hearing what you have to say, and seeing what resonates most with you as you navigate life during these 'tricky' times. My Instagram content is a bit more 'bite-sized' than these newsletters, but don't worry, they are still full of all the relevant intel!  I am still discussing issues related to feeling better as you age, and will cover everything from food, movement, and lifestyle issues, to self-expression, slowing down and embracing joy. 

I'd love for you to follow me on Instagram @wellnesscoachlori for discussions about things that can help you feel like you are aging better, and more importantly, like you are continuing to grow. And staying connected right now is a truly important way to learn, to thrive and to feel supported during these very challenging times.

Please come join me in this new way! 

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And as always, if there is any way I can help you get through a personally challenging time, or to meet your goals (big or small), while we are living life a little differently, click here and schedule a free discovery call. Then we can discuss how I can provide the system, stretch and accountability you need to get over some of the hurdles you are experiencing with respect to your health and life goals.

Together, we can take one step at a time so you experience life in a way that truly reflects the person you want to be as you age.
Please take care of yourself, and know that I am here to help you during this time. I am offering free discovery phone calls to discuss helpful coping alternatives as they relate to your specific situation.

To schedule a time, just click here. ​

If you want to learn more about creating the life you desire by developing healthy habits and mindset as you age, and how you can feel great in your body (without losing your mind), hit reply and send me an email, or call me at (201) 803-3257.

I'm also offering a free Discovery Session to discuss your health and life goals and how I can help you. Click here to schedule your free half-hour phone session with no obligation.

Let's talk!
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Please take care and be safe!

In Good Health,