What is something you do for self care everyday?
This is a question I think everyone should ask themselves. Self care can look different for everyone. Some immediately think about going to a salon or getting a massage but I don't think it has to be that elaborate. I think it can be as easy as sitting for five minutes alone and deep breathing. Or taking some time to read a book or sing a song. The most important thing about self care is doing something strictly for yourself that feels really good.
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I was reading everything I could about pregnancy and how to be healthy during it. Something I came across was prenatal yoga. Yoga was never something that entered my mind and in fact something I heard most people in my inner circle of life, make fun of. Even still, I thought if there was anytime to try something new, this was it. I decided to go and It went great. I went for the rest of my pregnancy. Then with my second daughter, I went maybe one time but at some point I decided things were too hectic for me to do something so selfish. Needless to say, I hadn't thought about yoga since 2015.
Recently, I received an email about a yoga class in my town. I have been really struggling on what to do about my fitness because while walking is great, I feel I need more. This email was a sign. I decided I would go try this yoga class and see if it was just as good as I remembered.
Turns out, it was even better. This class was exactly what I needed on so many levels. The instructor added so many things to the class that are more geared towards mental health wellness and not just the exercise of yoga itself. She read us affirmations in the beginning, she read us a poem at the end. She gave us a calming oil to massage on our necks all along while guiding us with gentle instruction. After the intricate yoga poses, we went into a comfortable position on the floor where we got to enter a meditation state. The combination of the stillness, calming music, and padded bolster releasing any stress from my body, I felt my soul leave my body. Literally, it was like an out of body experience. Something that caused my tear ducts to inflame and release the extra fluid I have been retaining. This is the first I am speaking about my crying during a yoga class. Mostly because I am quite aware no one will even read this blog but myself, but also because the more the days go on, I really don't care if someone reads it or not and has any kind of opinion on it. Because this is how I felt. This is what I needed and I haven't felt that good in years. This was a high that you can't put a price on. A release of stress that no bottle of wine could ever compete with. Yes that $15 was by far the best money I have ever spent.
This experience was something I so desperately needed in my life right now as I am going through this deep growth period. It is a new kind of relief that I will for sure be chasing again.
See you Monday Nicole, you're a life changer!
