Day 18 in the 30-Day Self Care ChallengeDream. Let Nothing Be A Barrier – Create a List

Take a notebook, a piece of paper and start creating a list of ALL your dreams. Let nothing be a barrier, not money, not time, not family, – don’t worry about the past, the future, or even the present. Just write and keep writing until you’ve exhausted every possibility.

Then, take a look at your list and start planning.

You’ll need to make a plan to get some of those dreams done, but you may find a few you can do right now. See what you can find on your list.

Circle 3 of the most outrageous ones and start planning on making those real.

Copyright 2019 Taru Nieminen

Day 17 in the 30-Day Self Care ChallengePlay as If You Were 5 Years Old

This will definitely be a challenge for some… we don’t want to look like fools, rolling around on the ground, flailing. Or even trying to do the splits in the air like the girl in the photo above.

To make ourselves feel like kids can be tough.

Start small: go swinging. No, I don’t mean THAT kind of swinging [5-year-olds don’t know the OTHER meaning! ;)] – I mean go find a swing on a playground and just swing.

And by the way, the act of swinging back and forth has been known to calm your mind and help with anxiety.

Copyright 2019 Taru Nieminen

Day 16 of the 30-Day Self Care Challenge

Who has been able to resist whistling along with Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, sing and clap with Pharrel Williams’ “Happy”, or dream via Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”, Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole’s  “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or perhaps you want something like this?

When you type “be happy” in the YouTube search engine, you’re sure to find many to choose from. Or use your music app to create a ‘happiness, feel-good, uplifting’ list of songs you can listen to every day.

Copyright 2019 Taru Nieminen

 

Day 15 in the 30-Day Self Care Challenge

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension.

Other helpful benefits of massage may include: relief from anxiety, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia related to stress, injuries, and joint pain. Some people just enjoy a massage because it can make one feel cared for and enjoy a sense of comfort.

If laying on a sheet half-naked while someone is kneading you isn’t your thing, you may want to try Thai or Tuina massage, – you keep your clothes on. Or try Reflexology, where only the pressure points in your feet and hands are worked on. Still not for you? You can do it yourself!

Copyright 2019 Taru Nieminen

Day 14 of the 30-Day Self Care ChallengeRead Instead of Binge-Watching Netflix

Perhaps your vice is Hulu, Amazon Prime TV, flipping through cable stations, or other screen time. This may be SO hard for you, as it is for me.

I could watch and then re-watch Hawaii Five-O three times before picking up a book. And I LOVE reading! It’s just easier to flip on the tele and escape. Uh, yeah, I’m in Hawaii all the time! 😉

As a beautiful friend remarked on their podcast: “If you’re not watching for entertainment or education, you’re escaping.” What you’re escaping, well, that may be something you need to figure out.

A good book can take you around the world in your imagination.

Copyright 2019 Taru Nieminen

Day 13 in the 30-Day Self Care Challenge

Unless this is part of your job, there should be no reason why this couldn’t work. If you’re addicted, you may feel a slight tinge in your chest as you’re reading this…

The more reason for you to take a break.

We are so enthralled with everyone else’s lives of Facebook and the feel-good messages we may receive when someone likes our tweet (or retweets it – now you have clout!) that we forget to live “reality.”

Let’s take a breather and instead, make good food to eat, bake something for the fam, go for a walk, take pictures just for the fun of it (but NO posting!), paint, draw, read, write, etc., etc.

P.S. Let us know how you did… or did not…

Copyright 2019 Taru Nieminen