Self Care for Valentine's Month

   Self Care seems to be a hot buzzing phrase lately and sadly for good reason. This society that we live in has grown to celebrate and deify the busy, those who “soldier through” daily, weekly and more on. We live in a culture of shame- shame on you for needing time, shame on you for taking time, “In my day we didn’t have issues with self care, we weren’t weak” Frankly the culture we live in, goes at you from all sides with relentless attitude. The truth is that we must take care of ourselves or we start to lose part of ourselves, whether its due to the monotonous day to day or the constant stress and chaos, discomfort, unhappiness and in worse case scenarios disease will set in.
    Adding insult to injury we also look to treating ourselves or indulging in foods, drinks or activities that really aren’t healthy and in fact can lead to more issues. I know that as a Mother, I’ve often fallen into this pattern, little to no sleep because I stayed up to get some me time, eating too much sugary gluten-y carbs to make it through the day or to get to stay up late enough so I don’t feel like a Mom-bot. Sacrificing my joys and interests because that’s what the good mom’s do. 2018 is the year, I stop that. I put myself if not in first place, at least neck and neck with my family. I truly do better for them and for everyone if I nurture myself. This is a scary statement and even scarier practice, I can almost hear the snarky comments forming as I write it. Comments from real and imagined people but also the ones that my own double starts. 
   To say I’m not being selfish but practicing preventative medicine, is one thing to believe and practice it is another. I’ve sat in the chair across from many a client and they told me their symptoms and situations. I know what the results of pushing myself and not listening are because I lived them once and self corrected but it was only to the minimum, this year is the FULL MONTY!! I’m ready to expose myself to greater things and not wait. Time is so precious and so are people, we can’t waste ourselves or our time here. 
    Who’s with me for a month of self loving and supporting ourselves with healthy choices, healthy actions and real honest to goodness healthy living??? All month long I will be highlighting ways to show our selves some love. Be your best and favorite Valentine! So stay tuned here and follow me on FB at The Empirical Herbalist to get even more ideas. I’m hoping that we can join in as a community to support ourselves and each other as we dare to do this.