Boy, I’ll tell ya - it’s been a long and hectic few months for me. What I need is a bath that is LONG & HOT (those are in all caps for a reason).
September is National Self Care Month.
Self-care is more than just taking a bath or wearing a face mask. It can manifest in many varieties depending on the person. I asked my co-workers what was one of their favorite “healthy” forms of self-care. To give you some examples of various self-care manifestations, and so that you have something to connect with your Southwest YMCA Leadership with during your next visit, here are their answers:
- Ashley (Aquatics) likes to get her hair or nails done
- Nora (Youth & Family) likes to go for a walk
- Bailie (Sports) enjoys the same thing as Nora with the addition of her dog, Murphy, and doing it in the morning
- Shelby (Membership) likes to be alone and read
One unhealthy form of self-care can be excess or sugary food. While some people don’t think that I indulge in such things when they look at me, but they’re definitely a comfort of mine. Let me make a root beer float, and my mood will most likely skyrocket for those 15 minutes.
Unfortunately, part of the reason I’ve felt exhausted is that overworking oneself has been glamorized and pressured in our capitalistic society. Absence of sleep, good diet, exercise, relaxation, and time with loved ones have all been pushed down the totem pole with work put at the top. This is not something that should be praised though. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people be jealous of their child’s other parent because they understand how they tick and can get them to sleep faster. All of that could be lessened or avoided, however, if the parent that feels left out were at home more and work less (and that goes for being mentally “at work”).
So, this week I challenge you to go out for a walk with your family and view one of the beautiful Nebraskan sunsets this week...with a root beer float. 😉
Kiaja Kenard, Health & Wellness Manager – Southwest YMCA
