5 Tips to Take Care of Yourself: Mind, Body, and Soul

This post brought to you by Activia. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Still Being Molly.

Last month I shared with you guys that I really want to get us all talking to each other and starting a dialogue about encouraging and lifting each other up… but ultimately about becoming our own biggest cheerleaders. We can all be so critical of ourselves… but a lot of times, there are little things that add up along the way to become bigger issues and thus, bigger obstacles. Inner Voice Interview

I have teamed up with Activia to get us talking about these things over the next few months and so today, I wanted to share with you guys five, no-brainer, but not-so-easy tips to take care of yourself… both mentally and physically.

1. Find time to be alone and quiet every day

Trust me, between having two kids, working from home full-time, making dinner, laundry, errands, marriage, and just life in general, it is next-to-impossible to get quiet time, let alone time to myself. However, finding five, ten, or 15 minutes of quiet time is essential for my sanity. It’s where I take the time to read, pray, think, or even not think. My mental, emotional, and spiritual health is much more in tune if I have that time to myself. If you have kids, get up before they do and just spend time alone. Or maybe if you’re a night person, take time after the kids are in bed to yourself. If you have the flexibility, go on a date with YOURSELF. Go shopping alone, go to a coffee shop, go to a restaurant and sit and read a book.

2. Get exercise

I get it. This should be a no-brainer, but unless you’re innately a fitness nut, regular exercise can be tough for us. It is for me. I’ve had seasons where I’m really great about regular exercise and I get in an awesome routine. Then I have other seasons where… not so much. I have definitely been in the latter season in recent months and I have noticed a huge difference. Exercise, for me, has a ripple effect. The more I exercise, the better I feel not only physically, but also mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. But if I’m not exercising, all of the rest of everything suffers. The thing that I try to do, even if I’m not actively going to the gym or working out at home, is at LEAST going for a walk. If it’s cold, I’ll go for a walk around the mall. If it’s nice out, I take the kids and the dogs for a walk. I feel 10000000 times better when I do. Get moving. Do something. 

3. Don’t forget to eat

Again, as a mom, I get it… there are days where it will be three o’clock and I will literally think to myself, “Have I eaten today?” The day can get away from us and I can be taking care of everyone else’s needs, but forget about my own basic needs. I make sure to eat a good breakfast – whether it’s a protein shake, a bowl of yogurt, or even something hearty like eggs and bacon. Eating a good breakfast sets me up for the rest of the day. I realize this might seem like a no-brainer, but I am living proof that sometimes even the most basic things get forgotten.

4. Place visual reminders for yourself where you’ll see them

If it’s an inspirational quote, a verse of scripture you love, a physical picture… find something that inspires you or motivates you or encourages you and place it somewhere you will see it often. I like to leave myself sticky notes on my bathroom mirror so I look at them while I’m getting ready for the day or getting ready for bed. Next to my desk in my office, I have quotes, my word of the year, and motivational verses that I can see and be reminded daily of the truths that exist. Having those reminders help to drown out the lies that I tell myself (and the lies that even the world tells us).

5. Surround yourself with people who speak truth and life to you

I have felt so blessed over the past few years to really find a group a girlfriends who I can be real with, laugh with, cry with, and do life with. We challenge each other, speak truth in love to each other, call each other out when we are out of line, encourage each other, lift each other up, and support each other. Having this group has been vital to my mental health and wellness and, thus, my overall wellness. When I was struggling with postpartum depression and as I’ve dealt with some stuff over the past year, these women have been there for me through it all and I’m so grateful. Finding friends as an adult can be hard, but even having a few really close, really strong friends can mean all the difference.

Now what about you? What tips do you have to take care of yourself? How do you get yourself in line both mentally and physically?