Your Self-Care Space
Making Your Self-Care Space
Everyone needs a place where they can relax and plan their time, journal, engage in a hobby or read. A study, a tea corner, a home office or a spot on the back patio area. Everyone needs that area for their own peace and growth.
When I was in school and would sit down to study, I would make myself a comfortable place to be. I knew I was going to be there for hours at a time, and I needed to be sure I was able to use the space well. A place for my books, to write well, to hold my laptop, and a place for a mug of a something warm and cozy and a small bowl or plate when I needed to refuel my body and brain.
At first it was just a space next to the coffee table so I could lean on it. But then I started to customize the area, and it helped not just my workflow, but my mental flow as I enjoyed my time in that space. I had more room on the floor and arranged very large pillows to sit on and lean against, as I used the table as a desk/snack area. Of course, I used the floor space around me, and it was a great help! I could get a good view of charts or sequences I might need.
I looked forward to spending time there and taking steps towards personal growth. I Used that spot for the same reason as I grew my business, being able to not only create files for clients, but to practice what I preach and experience the positive results I was teaching others.
As my needs grew, I graduated to a standing desk for better back health when I needed to change my positioning for the sake of posture and sitting too much. Sitting too long is the new smoking. It deteriorates your cardiovascular health and impedes blood flow in the body, even leading to blood clots in the legs that can become life threatening. Most office workers, truck drivers and classical musicians are on blood thinners due to the threat that extended sitting causes.
For the lungs it just causes them to become weaker the more you sit and are less active. It’s like the old saying that if you “…don’t use it, you lose it”. The more you sit in the day, the harder it becomes to climb stairs, go on hikes, etc. Try to find time to go for walks in the day. If it’s too hot, try the mall, or if it’s nice out and you have a favorite park, walking there regularly might be a positive addition to your routine. Take a break as often as possible, like every 30 minutes and walk around the building. Going to the gym or running for 30 to 60 minutes sadly does not erase the damage done to the body by sitting all day. Standing during the day might sound tiring, but you will truly be amazed at how you will grow to prefer it. It keeps your back better aligned, and you burn calories at a much higher rate than if you were sitting.
By sitting longer than 30 minutes at a time, you are actually causing your stress hormones to rise and throws your body off by slowing down your metabolism. This causes stress on your kidneys, weight gain, drop in overall energy levels and ability to focus, and is putting two and a half times your body weight on your lower back. It’s ok to set up a high stool or high sitting office chair to give yourself a break at your tall desk, but don’t depend on it. You will end up more productive and healthier overall by incorporating self-care in your personal productivity space.
If you live in a highly populated area, I am guessing the air quality is often not at a healthy level. That just adds to the issues. Make sure you are using a good air purifier in your home and office. If you have several air quality alerts in your area, don’t be shy to use an air filter mask or a scarf to get from one point to another. Don’t play with lung health if you need a scarf of some type while outside.
Making a list or a vision board on Pinterest for things you would like in your self-care space is always helpful. What do you want in your space? Is it a workspace? A wellness space? A study area for my down time, or an art studio corner for expressing myself?
I have a tea corner, and that is where I read and research. I have a comfortable chair that is pillowy and large. I have a cozy blanket if I get cold and a lamp in the corner, with a low table for my plate and cup. There are air cleaning plants and an air purifier close by to keep my environment allergen free. I get up as often as possible and sometimes set an alarm to do so as it can get too cozy and neglecting movement gets too easy. So, I get up and do a chore for a few minutes to keep my environment in order and return to my spot. Make a small list of what you can do as little breaks; wash your cup and bowl, do a load of laundry, brush your hair, take a ten-minute walk outside to get some sun or fresh air. For long sessions of working, I have a high standing office chair with wheels and lumbar support. I use a standing desk and keep my notebooks, books I need at the time and pens available.
For my creative time I set up an art corner. My canvas, paints and lighting on a drop cloth and my pencils. If you have a creative hobby or interest, set up your space. It really is part of self-care. Make that part of your wellness for mental health and personal growth and possibly connect with like minded individuals who share the same interests.
For the workout sessions at home, I have my weights, exercise ball, workout mat, and bands. I make sure I have enough room to warm up, workout and stretch afterwards. I make sure I clean my tools to ensure good health. For the bathroom make sure you have an organized clean space, including the tub. Taking warm baths in a relaxing environment has positive effects on the body’s detoxification process and lowers stress. Make sure your soaps and bath additives are all natural and non-toxic. To reduce sore muscles after your workouts, take contrasting showers very warm and cold for 15 to 30 seconds each, going back and forth about 3 to 4 times each. This flushes the muscles of lactic acid build up reducing inflammation and that extreme sore feeling that may follow. Make your bath and showers part of your recovery, as it increases blood flow to the necessary tissues to increase healing and new growth.
Everything is for a reason with self-care. Setting up your space in each aspect of your life can make a massive difference in your plans for success in any area of your life. Build these spaces with positive intention.
Never let anything detour you from taking care of yourself when you can indeed help it. Your spaces for self-care will probably go through changes over time, depending on your personal needs and wants. I added red light therapy to my rest and recovery time. After my stretching, detox bath, and winding down shower, I get my eye goggles to block out light, and spend time under my infrared light therapy lamp. There are numerous benefits to red light therapy, and I am a big fan. It helps in reducing inflammation, helps regulate the circadian rhythm aiding in restful sleep, and encourages the production of collagen and regenerating tissue cells throughout the body. It’s great as a final step when getting ready for bed, as well. When you are ready to settle down for the night, you can always set up your red light and relax to get ready for a good night’s sleep. If you have tense muscles, red light therapy might offer some relief as it is becoming popular in sports medicine recovery.
Make sure you shield your eyes and do not look directly into this or any light. This could damage you vision permanently, so please exercise caution when learning to use, or continuing to use wellness tools of any kind. Use discernment and make sure you are following all directions that may come with your wellness items.
I will provide links to things I suggest and use myself. Yes, they will have affiliate links to items, but that may not always be the case. You are free to explore and obtain your wellness tools from whomever you choose, but I will post links that may help.
