TO SELFCARE AND MINDFULNESS journey

As we glide into 2023 be intentional about your self-care, especially your health. It is so important to make sure you take good care of your body, mind, soul and spirit, not just when you get sick. Learning to eat right, reduce stress, exercise regularly and take time out when you need it are touchstones of self-care and this will allow you to stay healthy, happy and resilient. is article will focus on what self-care is, when you need to take time for self-care and ways to include selfcare your life-style.

e World Health Organization de nes self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” While there is no one de nition on self-care, it is often described as performing a series of actions to improve your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

What self-care isn’t!

Knowing what self-care isn’t may be even more important. It is not something that we force ourselves to do, or something we don’t enjoy doing. Self-care is something that refuels us, rather than depletes us. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, then you certainly need self-care:

• Lack of energy

• Impatient and easily frustrated

• Stress, anxiety

• Di culty falling and staying asleep

• Urge to overeat “comfort” foods

• Reduced performance

• Burnout

• Lack of motivation ere are four main self-care steps to incorporate in your life: Physical, emotional, spiritual and mental.

Now that we have a better understanding of what self-care is and isn’t, symptoms to be aware of, we can move forward to the di erent types of self -care.

Physical self-care includes:

• working out

• grooming

• eating properly, hydrating

• sleep, rest and managing your stress level.

Emotional self-care includes caring for your emotional needs, monitoring your internal dialogue as well as the following:

• Journaling

• Meditation/mindfulness

• Reciting positive a rmations

• Talking to some you trust/or seeking help

• Managing your thoughts and feelings

• Humor and laughing

Spiritual self-care means taking care of your soul— the essence of being a human. e soul is said to be the mind, will, and emotions where we think and feel. e spirit gives us the ability to have relationship with God.

• Praying and studying God’s Word

• Walk in the park

• Being grateful and thankful

• Meditation

• Practice deep breathing techniques

• Visualization

Self-care is di erent things to di erent people. I suggest doing what makes you feel good. If you are unable to take care of yourself then you cannot take care of families. Remember you cannot pour from an empty cup.

A few more things to implement in your selfcare journey:

• Gratitude list

• Relaxing music

• Day at the spa

• Schedule a date night with your spouse

• Enjoy a hot cup of tea

• Turn your phone o for 30 minutes

• Read a good book is month, the focus is self love. Not vanity, arrogance or conceit, but con dence. I’m here to tell you that con dence is key. It’s your ticket to whatever you want for yourself. It’s how you walk into a room, making eye contact, a rm handshake and a million dollar smile. e rst step is to take a look in the mirror. A full length one so you can take it all in. What do you see? Are your shoulders hunched? Is your head up? What is your posture looking like? Breathe, it’s going to be okay—I promise.

• Avoid as much toxicity and negative as possible.

In short, self-care isn’t sel sh, it is necessary and I urge you to start a self-care journey today. Know when to say no and when to step back to take a break!

One nal note on mindfulness—be in the present, slow down and pay attention to yourself!

Byline: Rev. Dr. Eichelberger is author of three books and has won numerous awards for her work in television production and in the community; most notably the Life Time Achievement Award signed by President Biden and Vice President Harris. She was also awarded a Humanitarian Award presented by Trinity International University of Ambassadors. Additionally she has been honored to do opening prayer for Rev. Jessie Jackson at Rainbow Coalition as well as working alongside Ambassador Andrew Young.

She enjoys writing, shopping when traveling to place like, New York, Paris, Istanbul and Israel. She also enjoys Broadway plays, music-jazz, classical as well as playing her ute.

February is the month of love. Valentine’s Day makes us feel good. It conjures up images (sometimes unrealistic) of what love should be like, feel like and look like. Whether we like it or not, we live in a world where we are bombarded with images of perfection. e socalled beautiful people are everywhere. You can’t turn on the television or open a magazine without images of perfection in your face. Before you know it, you’re picking yourself apart about all the ways you don’t measure up. e obsession begins over perfect hair, the perfect body, the right eye color, the list goes on and it’s time—to STOP. Take a deep breath, it’s okay. YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Now let’s just look at your face. What is your favorite feature? We all have one. Is it your eyes? Do you love your lips? Do you have killer cheekbones?

Find a feature that you love and let that be the focal point. Now, what feature are you not so crazy about? Is it your nose? Do you have more than one chin? No matter what it is, I can help you learn to love it.

In my workshops I teach a segment called “It’s Hammer Time!” ey’re a blast and we have a ball. You have got to know that no one can touch your essence, your magic, all of the things that are uniquely yours. Each one of us has gifts and talents that no one can touch, gifts that set us apart. Learning what those things are and then embracing them will make a tremendous di erence in your life, career, at home—everywhere! e image you have of yourself, good or bad, is the one you give everyone else permission to have of you too. Stop comparing yourself to what society says is beautiful. You are more than enough.

I recently saw a poster that said, “You were born to stand out. Why are you trying so hard to t it in?” I think that sums it up. Are you up to the challenge? It’s Hammer Time, and it’s on baby. LEARN TO LOVE YOU!

From e Road to You: e Ultimate Guide to Staging Your Own Transformation

Find the book: https://theroadtou.com