Quality Self Care

We all know that regular maintenance on our cars saves money on costly repairs and avoids breakdowns at inconvenient times and places.

Quality Self Care is a maintenance program for your body, mind, emotions and sprit. A balanced life gives a perspective that keeps us on a smooth and even track. With the busy life that we all lead I would like to encourage you to adopt 10 daily or weekly habits for superior living. Below are a few ideas you may want to include in your 10 daily or weekly habits.

Mechanical Check Up. Have you had your yearly physical, including vision, hearing, teeth, skin and flu shot? Do you have a daily health routine?

Sleep. The Ford Sleep Institute found that people who got 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night had 25% higher productivity, as well as better mental, emotional and physical well being than those who got less sleep. The U.S. is considered one of the most sleep-deprived nations in the world.

Is your bed comfortable and is your bedroom a pleasant, peaceful, and relaxing retreat from the world? I let go of the day’s bad news and drama by reading something uplifting before sleep. Are you getting enough high quality sleep?

Friends, Family and Pets. Whether in good times or bad we all need unconditional love, support, warmth of spirit, play time, laughter, hugs, companionship, appreciation, a place to give and the willingness to receive graciously. Family, friends and pets are a treasure chest of opportunity to receive and give all of these gifts in abundance.

My dog is a wonderful companion, protector and cuddlier. He lets me know when I have spent too much time at the computer and he welcomes me home with unbridled joy.

Think of ways to cultivate joy and love daily with your friends, family and pets. They will stand by you in sickness and health, whether your bank account is full or empty.

Nutrition. When you look at the nutritional content of food or a vitamin it will give you the vitamins’ percentage of daily requirement in the product. This is the minimum amount required. Not the amount that you may need for optimum good health and vitality. A one-a-day vitamin pill is certainly better that no vitamin supplementation at all. Read the many books available on nutrition and seek professional guidance on what you may need to feel and perform at your very best.

Re-Creation time. Although I was an art major in college it is more than 30 years since I have spent any time drawing or painting. I recently started taking a painting class and what a joy it is to do something completely different, “new” and yet some how remembered. No grades, expectations or pressure just exploration and fun. What specific choices are you making to refresh and re-create yourself daily and weekly?

Contribution and Purpose. Contribution gives a person’s life color, vibrancy and purpose. Contribution, whether given for free or in the form of paid work, allows one to feel his or her connection to the divine plan of the universe. It enriches mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Chose contributions, which fill you up with energy and good feelings.

Clean Out and Simplify. It is amazing the amount of stuff we can accumulate in a short time; books, catalogs, papers, clothes, empty jars, pens, files, and DC’s, not to mention the stuff in closets you have forgotten you have. This useless stuff clutters the mind, takes up valuable space and compromises the beauty and harmony of your environment. Started a campaign to clean out one thing each day. What can you clean out today to enhance and simplify your life?

Permission to Stop. As I get older I notice that my desires and concept of what is important have changed. That does not in any way discount the passions, goals and desires of my youth but it thankfully allows me to stop wishing for, spending time on or trying to get things that are not relevant to my life now. What will you stop or say no to today to improve the quality of your life?

If you wish to have something of value to share and give to the ones you love then your first obligation is to nurture and care for yourself in a high quality way so that your cup can overflow with health, joy, energy, love and abundant beingness. Your vibrant presence on the planet makes a difference.

My 10 Daily Habits for Quality Self Care
1. 7 to 8 hours sleep a night and at least a 30-minute nap most every day.
2. Spent time with my plants, flowers and fish.
3. Practice Tai Chi, paint or some other creative activity
4. Take my vitamins, hormones, put on sun screen, floss teeth
5. Talk to at least one friend
6. Clean out one thing I don’t want or need
7. Eat well and try one new recipe a week
8. Listen to great music while I work
9. Read something inspiring
10. Walk and play with my dog

Make your own list of 10 daily habits for quality self care!
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To learn more about Gail Van Kleeck and her books click here