Self care covers a range of areas. Although my usual focus is on the inner work, in this post, I focus on the body and what I enjoy the most in caring for mine.
5. Moisturizing
A major part of Colorism Healing is loving the skin we’re in. And hair, too.
One practical way I like to love my skin and hair is to find pleasure in moisturizing them.
There’s a lot in the pampering and cosmetics industry that I don’t spend money on, but I am happy to splurge on lotions, oils, conditioners, and prescriptions (since I have seborrheic dermatitis). This has become especially important since I moved to the colder, dryer, windier climate of the Midwest, which is tough on skin.
But moisturizing is also significant for the the physical touch required to apply the moisturizer. That’s were the tenderness comes in. Making the time to caress my own skin with a loving hand is healing. It sends positive energy and implicit messages to my body that she is loved, cared for, seen, and significant.
4. Aroma Therapy
For me, aroma therapy is anything that smells great. I often use the above practice of moisturizing as a favorite form of aroma therapy by buying scented oils and lotions. But it definitely goes beyond the Bath and Body Works Black Cherry Merlot body cream.
I use candles every day at home and wall plugins at work. In the past, I’ve periodically used wax melts, diffusers, incense, air fresheners, Febreze, carpet powder… I like when things smell good.
And it’s not just about the pleasure of pleasant smells. Certain fragrances can also help us sleep, relax, concentrate, reduce anxiety, etc. As a form of bodily self care, aroma therapy helps bring me back to the present moment, make me mindful of my body, add a small spark of joy to me day, and often makes me smile.
3. Hydration
The one healthy dieting practice I have been able to consistently stick with is drinking lots of water. That’s about 90% of what I drink, and most days it’s 100%. It helps that I simply like the taste and feel of (most) room temperature tap water. It’s good for my health and finances and cuts down on plastic bottle waste. When I moved to Illinois, my kitchen water tasted horrible, so I did have to invest in a filter.
I started by drinking a (reusable) bottle of water right after waking up and right before going to bed. I then added water to every meal, even if I also drink non-water during that meal.
Eventually, I just stopped craving sodas and juices.
I still drink coffee, tea, and hot chocolate as a treat when I’m at Starbucks or other cafes. And I occasionally go for non-water at special occasions and gatherings, but even that’s rare.
2. Sleep/Rest
You’re probably not surprised to see this on the list. This is a big one for me because I’m anemic (and probably have other bad habits or medical traits that contribute to fatigue).
I used to beat myself up about how much I slept and my long afternoon naps. I was slipping into self-loathing because I saw myself as lazy. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t “motivated” to do more (more work and more of other things but especially more work).
Then I got blood work done and was diagnosed with severe anemia. So it’s been iron pills and foods with high iron content ever since.
Regardless of the anemia, I have learned to accept my need for sleep, whatever the underlying reason. Partly because I became aware of the importance of sleep. It’s like the lead domino when it comes to wellbeing and productivity. I even learned from a doc on TikTok that you’ll die from lack of sleep sooner than you would from a lack of food. (Ikr)
But I’ve also just learned to accept how my body feels and not judge how I’m feeling or fight against it. My new perspective, when I wish to be working instead of sleeping, is that getting sleep when I’m sleepy will allow me to do more and better work later.
1. Movement!
I specifically did not use the word exercise. I love exercise, especially running, but bodily self care is about all types of movement.
Dance is by far my favorite form of movement. I’ve had a reputation for dancing for years now. Like that year in college when random strangers told me they’d heard I was a good dancer. I’m not a So You Think You Can Dance “good” dancer, but I do got rhythm, though 😉
I also have to focus on movement because my vocation as a writer and educator is most often sedentary work. Therefore, I try to be aware of how long I’ve been sitting so I can stand, walk, stretch, or dance approximately every hour. Sometimes I set timers or time limits for bouts of work, but usually I just practice being aware of my body and whether or not it feels like moving (which sometimes coincides with my own waning will power to work).
As I get older, the law of inertia becomes more and more evident: bodies in motion tend to stay in motion … bodies at rest tend to stay at rest ….
One of the main reasons I’m prioritizing movement now is so that I have healthy mobility later.
BONUS Self Care: Dietary Decisions
This did not make the top 5 because I’m far less consistent and disciplined with my dietary habits, but it’s an honorable mention because I still aspire to healthier habits in this area of my life. It’s hard for me because I have not discovered the joys of cooking, so I go for foods that require no cooking or minimal prep. When I do use the stove or oven, I prefer meals with the fewest steps and ingredients.
WRITING PROMPT:
What are you favorite self care practices for the body? Why do you enjoy them? Are there any practices you are looking to include in your daily routines?