Simple Ways to Incorporate Optimal Self Care

Before I forget, a friend wrote to me and asked me about eating beans.  I was restricted on beans because of my candida, but beans are just fine in a balanced diet.  If you are restricting your sugar/carbohydrate load for any reason (candida, diabetes, etc.) you may just want to watch amount.  Maybe keep it to 1/2 cup/day.

Here are some self care suggestions that you have probably heard 1,000 times, know are good for you, but still may not be incorporating them into your life.  I'm also going to include some ways that I have been to incorporate them as habits into my life.

1. Drink 1/2 your body weight in water/day.  For most of us, that is over 60 oz.  For those of you who don't like water, that might be a challenge.  Here are a couple of ways to get into the habit- Travel with one of those 20 oz. aluminum water bottles.  Fill it three times throughout the day and drink.  If you don't like the taste of water, fill your bottle with water, lemon juice, lime juice and a couple of packets of stevia.  Shake and enjoy.  There are tons of flavored waters out there now.  Make sure they are not filled with calories, high fructose corn syrup, or any other additives.  If you don't know what it is or how to pronounce it, it shouldn't go into your mouth.

2. 30-60 minutes of daily exercise.  Now this is a doozy.  I know.  Believe me.  I know.  Especially for those of you who work, have kids, and are involved in a million adult extra curricular activities.  This can be overwhelming and feel selfish when you have so many other things to do.  The best place to start is your couch.  When you are sitting down on the couch to relax, exercise on commercial breaks.  Every half hour show has about 10 minutes of commercial breaks in it.  Take every break and do stomach crunches, push ups (wall push ups work great for beginners), jumping jacks, pretend to jump rope, actually jump rope, run/walk in place, use free weights.  Replace a show you aren't really that into with one of those On Demand exercise shows.  Get up a little early and do 15 minutes of free weights or yoga before work.  Do another 15 minutes when you get home from work.  I used to get on a yoga mat and use my children for weights/resistance.  They loved it and it was really funny (laughing is great ab work!).  There are other, more social and awesome ways to get in a work out.  Go dancing with your friends, walk around the city before you sit down for a nice dinner, or find a local park/hiking trail and explore!!!

3.  Sleep.  Go to bed.  Seriously.  Turn off your t.v. at 10 p.m., have sex with your partner or old lefty and go to bed.  Sex/orgasm is a major immune system booster.  Keeping in tune with yourself and your sexuality keeps you connected with your partner/self, feels great, and helps to reduce stress.  A little lovin will help keep you healthy.  As if we needed an excuse, right???

4.  Stop stressing out.  Way easier said than done, but seriously, knock it off!  Try meditation, yoga, meeting up with your friends for a good vent session.  All of these are great ways to decompress. 

Okay.  Dumbing it down:  drink water, exercise, sleep, have sex (with self or other- RESPONSIBLY), and find healthy ways to manage stress.

Love and optimal health!!!