Self care is the idea of taking responsibility for your health, in all areas of your life. For example, there are types of physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and social self care (and more too!).
Most of us think that taking care of ourselves is “selfish” or neglectful of others. This couldn’t be more wrong! Self care is important for your own health and happiness, but also for others around you too. But I get it- we were raised to think that helping others first is noble. And it is, sometimes.
But when it comes at the expense of your own health, then we run into a problem.
You know the popular airline phrase: “put on your own mask before helping others”, right? It totally applies here.
You can’t help others if you’re drowning.
But I also take issue with that phrase a bit.
We don’t need to do self care, only so we have enough to give to others. We need to be taking care of ourselves, because our health matters too.
Self care is a necessity, especially in these current stressful times.
First, you want to check in with what you are currently doing for self care. Are you taking time for yourself at all? Do you even think of it? Are you doing a little bit or a lot? Knowing where you’re starting from (with anything) will direct where you need to go.
Be honest with yourself here too!
Create a comprehensive list of 5-10 things you enjoy doing. If you can’t think of anything, asking others what they do is a good start. Here is what I enjoy: going for walks, meditating, coloring, exercising and cooking.
Planning out when you’ll do these activities is one of the best ways to ensure success. When we just say “I’ll go for a walk today” it’s easy for it to slip our minds. But when we say “I’ll go for a walk after lunch for 20 minutes” we’re more likely to be successful!
Think about what you’ll do daily, weekly or monthly as well. Maybe your plan will look like going for a walk daily, cooking a nice meal once a week and catching up with friends once a month.
Creating a full plan for self care is one of the best ways to ensure success. Do you need to get anything prepared? Maybe booking a class or getting equipment? Often people let the planning and preparation get in their way of actually completing a task. Don’t let that happen to you!
The next step? Execute. Let me tell you right now, if this is new to you, you’ll have resistance to doing whatever you chose to do. Remember I keep saying our brains only job is to keep you safe? Well this is one way it does that, by trying to limit new things because it perceives them as a threat.
One way of overriding that internal alarm system? Show up anyway.
When we make a commitment to ourselves, show up and complete the activity, we’re signaling to our brain this is safe. It won’t be a one and done thing however, you’ll have to keep overriding the resistance your brain gives you.
As you try out new things and engage in self care activities, keep an open mind. If something isn’t quite working? Change it up. We get so stuck on the idea that we have failed if we need to change something. That can’t be further from the truth! Being flexible with your plan and changing things if needed is self care in itself, not failure.
You’ve made your daily self care plan, which is awesome! But what happens when a crisis hits? Having a plan in mind for those occasions is helpful too. It’s hard to plan fully for a crisis, because we don’t know what’s coming. But having a few ideas handy can be really important.
Maybe you have a certain friend to call, who is good at listening and problem solving. Maybe you read a comforting book or the bible. Just having a few “extra” things in mind for crisis situations can help you feel more in control when it does happen.
Having a self care plan can be so impactful for your health. When we regularly check in and tend to the many areas of our health, it pays off for not only us, but those around us as well. We might even be able to find some relief from our daily symptoms if we’re consistent.
Do you have a self care plan already? Not yet? Let me know in the comments below!
follow along on Instagram:
This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.
You just have to show up.
You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡
*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.
You just have to show up.
You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡
*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??
This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.
Pre orders are open until October 24th!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??
This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.
Pre orders are open until October 24th!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.
Did you see??
Pre Orders are open!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here:
https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.
Did you see??
Pre Orders are open!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here:
https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
Struggling to start with exercise?
Try this tip!!
Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.
Because we’re trying to do something different after all.
This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.
Become who you want to be in your mind first.
Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
Struggling to start with exercise?
Try this tip!!
Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.
Because we’re trying to do something different after all.
This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.
Become who you want to be in your mind first.
Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”
So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”
So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!
This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!
You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!
Share with anyone who also might like this!!
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!
This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!
You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!
Share with anyone who also might like this!!
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.
But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!
This is rewiring your brain in action.
You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.
And boom! A new pathway is born.
It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.
But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!
This is rewiring your brain in action.
You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.
And boom! A new pathway is born.
It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.
Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?
I see you.
Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.
Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?
I see you.
Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!
Come on in…
Let me show you around!
This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!
Wanna join us?
Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!
Come on in…
Let me show you around!
This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!
Wanna join us?
Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.
But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.
Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.
But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.
Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
As Featured In:
