Self Care: The Ultimate Expression of Love

I don't know about you, but lately I have been TIRED! I decided to take some time to pay attention to why I am so tired to help me get to the root of it. From my exploration, I realize I am fatigued because I am stressed and disconnected - disconnected from myself. I am craving some time to "just be". 

With so much going on in everyday life it is hard to take a moment to slow down and take care of one's self. This is one of the first things I talk about with my clients as it is difficult to do for most. We are wired to do things for others and we can get stuck in a constant state of "doing" versus "being". When we lose sight of ourselves, stress can present itself in many unhealthy ways (i.e. food cravings, mood swings, fatigue). I inherently believe healthy living starts with the individual, which leads to a ripple effect for everyone the individual spends time with; therefore, it is important to practice self care. 

Self care comes in many forms and the first step is to make a commitment to YOU. Be Healthy Within's tenets of healthy living are ways in which we all can implement self-care: enjoy nutrient-dense food, exercise, cultivate personal connections, develop work/life satisfaction and make time for oneself. Self-care may be as straightforward as adding a new healthy food to the daily routine, taking a moment to enjoy nature or carving out some time to just be. This morning, I decided to mix up my rushed routine a little bit and skip a non-mandatory activity. As I took time to "just be", I sat down, ate my breakfast and was presented with the beautiful image below. The simple shape of the berry in the form of a heart was the message I needed to feel recharged and reconnected with myself. Bonus, I even gathered motivation to write my first blog post :-).

What are ways that you practice self-care? Feel free to share in the comments box below and enjoy one of my favorite, nutrient-dense meals.

Vanilla Chia Pudding
2/3 cup chia seeds
2 cups unsweetened almond milk 
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
Combine ingredients in glass bowl with lid. Shake to combine ingredients thoroughly. Place in fridge overnight. Scoop out a bowl and add your favorite berries, almonds and sprinkle some cinnamon on top!
This is so easy to have ready to go! Chia seeds are a great source of omega 3’s and are high in protein and fiber.