Originally a "Carolina" girl, Jenny has been based in Northern VA since 2006. After almost 10 years on the mission field, serving around the world, Jenny settled full-time in the area and began serving local nonprofits in 2013. She recently accepted the offer of Executive Director at Loudoun Cares and is looking forward to the challenge of this new role. Jenny is blessed beyond measure to be wife to Dr. Michael Tomlinson Jr., bonus mom to Ruth & Twyla, and mama to the couple's son, Bennett. Their family is also blessed with three babes in heaven. Team Tomlinson resides in Reston and attends Trinity Presbyterian Church.
As promised in the previous blog post, here are some of Jenny’s favorite self-care practices that have not only benefited her heart and mind but can also benefit yours! But before you read Jenny’s ideas for self-care below, I suggest you first take a look at her original guest blog post from last week. Here’s a glimpse:
Self-care is crucial for our health, for our wellbeing, for our relationships…when we are taking a little time to care for ourselves, we find the ripples reaching into every aspect of our lives. I can hear you now: I get that it’s important to do, but where do I begin? Where will I find the time? (Click here to read the entire post…)
Ideas for Self-care
1. Spa day
a. Massage
b. Facial
c. Nails
d. Hair done
2. Sleeping in when you can – or take a nap
3. A trip (even if it’s to the grocery store alone – anywhere that doesn’t feel like a chore)
4. Reading or listening to a book
5. Self betterment – seek counseling, even if you don’t believe you “need” it
6. Self reflection – find a quiet place, allow your mind to slow down a bit, just sit and listen to the world around you
7. Asking for help
8. SAY No
9. Confiding in trusted circle
10. Journaling
11. Setting boundaries
12. Find ways to reduce stress:
a. Time block schedule
b. Declutter your space
c. Make plans with friends (once a week/month)
d. Spend time outside every day
e. Make sleep a priority
f. Develop a relaxing night time routine
g. Say no more often and stick to it
h. Exercise daily
i. Wake up 30 minutes earlier if you like to get up early
j. Schedule rest & leisure time
k. Stop documenting everything & start enjoying it!!
l. Put your phone on DO NOT DISTURB between the hours of 9pm – 7am OR silence the ringer & throw it in the bottom of your bag
13. Talk to a loved one on the phone
14. Try a workout – Pilates, yoga, bike, walk, anything to get your body moving
15. Compliment a stranger
16. Make a list
17. Write, craft, paint, or anything creative
18. Wake up early if you like getting up early
19. Stay up late if you like to stay up late & don’t have an early call the next day
20. Stock up on fresh fruits & veggies
21. Say no & mean it (Can you tell this is a big one?!)
22. Rearrange your furniture
23. Stay present!
24. Train your kids to help around the house (laundry, dinner prep, set up & clean up)
25. Eat lunch outside
26. Get some sun on your face
27. Set a timer to help with hyper focused time (work/move/work/move)
28. Play instrumental music in the background while you work
29. Play worship music while you clean
30. Set music to be your alarm to wake up gently
31. Go for a swim or a bike ride
32. Roll the windows down and go for a drive
33. Make a gratitude list
34. Create a list of scripture promises & identity statements & post them somewhere that you can see daily – use them as affirmations!
35. Volunteer – find an area of service you are passionate about & get involved (as little or as much as you can)
36. Star gaze
37. Blow bubbles, swing, go down the slide at your playground
38. Curl up in a cozy blanket and enjoy the crackle of a nearby fire
If you’d like to get a jump on determining what self-care practices would work best for you, feel free to send me an email or schedule one-on-one time with me. And consider subscribing to my blog where I post lots of helpful suggestions on how you can begin (and continue) this journey of recovering your blueprint!
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