It’s a stressful world. There’s no doubt about it. We are all conditioned by society to do nothing but grow up, work our fingers to the bone, and then die. I’m not trying to be depressing or anything – I’m just (admittedly dramatically) making a point. In this day and age, it feels like we’re all over-worked and over-stressed. Out of that, a growing understanding and sense of importance around the topic of self-care has been born. It’s great – it’s encouraging that, as a society, we are starting to become a little more self-aware and have accepted the importance of taking time to clear our heads and rest instead of simply pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps (don’t get me wrong – there’s still room for that mindset…but I don’t think you can let it dictate your life or else you’ll be sure to burn yourself out quickly).
Which leads me to the concept of the self-care day….recognizing when you need one and doing the (healthy) things it takes to realign and center yourself. How do I do it? Well, folks – that’s what I’m here to share today, and I’m very serious about it. I pass this along to simply get the juices flowing in your own brains. This is what I like, not necessarily what you like. But, the point is to make you stop and think about it. I’m going to break this down into three main concepts that I try to focus on.
The Ultimate SoBros Guide to Self-Care
Consume “healthy” – This isn’t going to be a popular one, I’d imagine…but you absolutely have to at least start the day on a healthy note. Drink plenty of water to set a nice foundation of hydration. Get in a workout early on. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Sound in body, sound in mind, after all. Errr….’round here, it’s more like “minds right, asses tight.”
Peace and quiet – For me, I need some time with no distractions….no phone, no television, no computer….nothing but the sound of the wick burning in a Yankee Candle or the water falling from the shower. I’ll even take a bath to relax and rejuvenate from time to time. Light up my favorite scent, drop a bath bomb from Bath & Body Works in, and then I’ll grab a book and just soak in silence. It’s a great way to get some quality rest, soothe the body, and clear my mind. Oh, and if you can stare at a Thomas Kinkade painting, do that too.
Pure enjoyment – Once you feel a little more rested and calm, I think it’s perfectly fine to take some time to do something that you enjoy doing for no other reason than you enjoy doing it. For me, I’ll spend all evening reading a book. I’ll put on a pot of Celestial Seasonings, light a candle, get under a big thick blanket, and just zone out. Sometimes, if I’m feeling up for it and it’s a nice day, I’ll go play some frisbee golf or go on a walk alone. I’ll try a new recipe for dinner. I’ll put on an album I’ve never heard or a movie I’ve never seen and just focus on it. Oh, and this is the part of the day when you can pour up a nice glass of wine or an adult beverage of your choosing.
Then, I’ll hit the hay early, all the while doing my best NOT to think of work and/or the real world. It’s the best. So, I’d say to think about how you could treat your body better, think about things that calm you, and think about things that aren’t work-related that you enjoy. Find those things, build out a self-care day, and let me know how it works for you.
Until next time, keep those minds right, and those asses tight.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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