By Alicia Moore

Self-care is something we hear about on a regular basis, but how often do we implement it into our lives? I, for one, am not great at self-care, but I am trying to change that. It’s time to talk openly about what care for the self means, and how we can integrate it into our day to day.  

Taking care of yourself looks different for everyone. Basically, you want to find something that fills your cup. That can be sports, nature, reading, writing, film, etc. The list is endless, as we are all individuals with diverse likes and dislikes. The main goal is to engage in something that makes you smile.

Self-care, for me, can mean many different things. But the days when I’m out in nature, looking at the sky, taking my time, breathing, and being present are my favorite. I love when I can wake up the next morning and smell the air, the flowers, the rain in my hair; those mornings when I don’t want to shower because the remnants of my beautiful yesterday are clinging to me like perfume.

Why is self-care important?

We live in a society where we are often depleted by work obligations and stress. We spread ourselves too thin, and some of us very rarely put ourselves first. Self-care is a time in which you come first; you can turn your cell phone off, and ignore those obnoxious work emails for once. Self-care creates a happier you, which then trickles down to those around you. It’s a wonderful little waterfall of glee! So, do it well, and do it often. Life is too short to spend all of your time wishing for tomorrow.

Let’s discuss: How do you implement self-care into your routine? How often do you engage in the activities that fulfill you? Tell me about it!

Alicia Moore began practicing yoga in 2001 to alleviate stress in her life. She received her 200-hour Shambhava Yoga certification in 2010 at Whole Yoga and is currently working toward her 300-hour certification. Alicia has been a licensed massage therapist since 2011, specializing in Thai Yoga massage. Her passion in life is helping others, whether it is to relax, heal from a stroke, or simply learn to breathe and stretch.