& Others Ready to Healing
Extreme self-care for beginners? What’s that? Extreme sports are all the rage, right? Let’s make extreme Self-Care our new sport! Indeed, it could really help with the emotional pain you are enduring? There is something so enticing about the idea!
Personally, any self-care above the bare-bones minimum seemed a bit extreme to me. Sure, I’d put a little extra thought into my grooming for an important event – like a fancy night out or a wedding or some ‘excuse’. Now, I am stumped as to why I felt the need for an excuse to take good care of myself. Alas, I am embarking on my own journey of ‘extreme self-care.”
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KEEPS BLESSED REJECT RUNNING
Often, we women are so busy caring for others that any self-care seems extreme, or selfish at the least. We care for our children, our spouse, our friends, our parents, our co-workers, pretty much everyone comes before us.
I was Wrong – extreme Self-Care Needed!
After all, is said and done, I realized – not doing self-care is really what is selfish. Ignoring our own needs and desires is not noble, it is simply foolish.
Rocking extreme self-care is for your healing and health – you will absolutely thrive in every caregiving role you choose if you take the time to ‘indulge.’
Absolutely, you have put time and effort into you first, through self-care in whatever extreme or non-extreme needed.
My Idea of extreme Self Care May Not be the Same as Yours!
More than likely, most of you are ahead of me in this game. I’m a slow learner and just grasping these truths. I mean, intellectually, sure the above-made sense to me. But in my heart? Nope.
Assuredly, whether you are a pro at extreme self-care or a beginner like me; self-care is an absolute necessity if you have been hurt in an overwhelming way.
Moreover, when reeling from emotional hurt, the simple acts of showering, getting out of bed or just breathing can feel impossible. Indeed, you may need to take a conscious look at your routines and make sure you are embracing the healthy habits of taking care of yourself. At times of deep emotional pain, meeting your simple daily needs can feel as if you are performing extreme self-care.
Healing Help for Overcoming Emotional Pain
Initially, you need a path back to the land of the living, a way of rebuilding your life. This is the silver lining in the pain you are going through. This is where and when and how to find the light at the end of the dark space. But, why bother? Why go through all the work when you feel so devastated and sad?
- For them (your loyal loved ones)
- And you (because you will thrive and be better than ever)
- For God (He’s got you, you can do this with Him)
A trail back to life may include the following practices:
- The Art of Sleep
- Meditation
- Taking every thought captive
- Self Discipline
- Therapy
- Help from an MD or Naturopath
- Fitness
- Clean Eating
- New Hair Cut
- Skin Care
- Make-up fun
- New Clothes / Fresh Style
- so much more!
Extreme Self-Care for Healing; Mind, Body and Soul Care
Let’s start with our Mind and Brain. These are the key players in getting past the overwhelm of emotional pain and bewilderment.
I tend towards obsessive thinking – it gets old and boring fast. Through Dr. Carolyn Leaf’s 21 Day Detox program and her books in the Switch on Your Brain series, I have come to embrace and live out the Biblical concept of taking captive every thought. Our minds need to be in charge of our brains.
Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and HealthSwitch On Your Brain Every Day: 365 Readings for Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health
Switch On Your Brain Curriculum Kit: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health
Switch On Your Brain Workbook: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health
Recently, I realized that by turning every thought to
Extreme Self-Care Includes Allowing Your Emotions Their Due
Additionally, as you process your heart and mind back to health and move into better than before, you can’t stuff your feelings. Wish you could. You can’t.
Consequently, even when you try to ignore those difficult emotions, you’re still feeling them, just in a less healthy way. Quiet your mind, notice what physical reaction your body is having to what you are feeling. Remember to keep your mind in charge (as opposed to your brain), without ignoring your feelings. Acknowledge your emotions, reassure them that you hear them.
Get Outside Help if Needed
As I talked about in my post “How to: A Powerful Path Past the Pain of Rejection” sometimes these dark periods of grief and shock are too much to handle without some outside help. Don’t be afraid of getting help now so you can thrive later.
Extreme self-care you can hone in on that will dramatically improve your life, including your moods, emotions, joy, and energy:
- Acknowledging You Have a Sleep Issues and Doing Something About It
- Determining How to Find Relief for Consistent Stress
- Choosing Clean Nutrition Which Can Help Alleviate Stress
- Creating a Good Exercise Routine for Endorphins
- Improving Your Personal and Professional Relationships for Increased Happiness
- Engaging in a Head to Toe, Inside-Out Health Analysis to Improve Your Life
- Revamping Your Mindset to Protect You from Harm and Bring You Growth
- Tweaking Your Finances to Support Your Self Care Regimen Now and in the Future
Sleep and the Art of extreme Self-Care
Sleep – there is quite a bit of wonderful information, ideas and helps regarding sleep health and protocols. Such a simple, yet complicated thing. Seek what you need, but put this stepping stone at the beginning of your recovery plan. Valerian Root, Hey Girl Sleep Tea, comfortable earplugs, routines, amber light bulbs – they’ve all been helpful to me in my quest for a restful night’s sleep after falling prey to debilitating insomnia during the first several weeks after my trial/loss began.
Herb Pharm Relaxing Sleep Herbal Formula with Valerian Liquid Extract – 4 OunceBedtime Tea for Stress and Anxiety Relief – Herbal Sleep Aid Remedy to Relax & Get Restful Sleep at Night | with Valerian Root Extract, Chamomile and Lemon Balm
PQ Small Earplugs for Sleep – Ear Plugs for Sleeping That Don’t Hurt Your Ears! Ear Plugs Sleep – Noise Cancelling Earplugs for Sleeping 32 dB – PQ Ear Plugs for for Snoring
Amber Light Bulbs, Bedroom Night Light Bulb A15 3 Watt-25 Watt SONSY Home Non-Dimmable Equivalent LED Light Bulb Warm Night Light, Yellow Color Bulbs for Bedroom, E26/E27 Base (2 Pack) (Blue)
Sleep Mask, Voluex 3D Contoured Sleeping Eye Mask & Blindfold with Breathable Memory Foam for Men/Women/Kids, 100% Blockout Light Grey Eye Cover with Anti-Slip Adjustable Strap for Travel/Naps
We Know Fitness Matters – Let’s Do it!
Next, let’s talk about fitness, nothing new, you know you need it, you know it helps with depression, you know you feel better when you do it.
Yet, somehow it is one of the most difficult things to stick with. Can we reach new levels of fitness by combining new understandings about Self-Discipline through Martin Meadow’s work and joining Healthy Moving, which is a lovely gentle program that brings health and healing to your body (like nothing I have experienced before).
Consistency is key when it comes to extreme self-care. Especially physical fitness. When you think about how often you engage in it, even if you could name 10 times this month that you did something good for yourself (which is a stretch, because most people can’t), it’s still not enough.
Simple Self-Discipline Box Set (6-Book Bundle)5 Best Yoga Poses For Depression
Serenilite 3X Hand Therapy Exercise Stress Ball Bundle – Tri-Density Stress Balls & Grip Strengthening – Therapeutic Hand Mobility & Restoration – Soft, Medium, Hard (Cloud, Sea Breeze, Titanium Set)
Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
Physical fitness (extreme) self-care is something that should be an on-going, day-to-day process you implement faithfully. Without a doubt, it helps you wake up feeling ready to face the day and go to bed feeling satisfied and content.
If you’re not consistent, then stress and anxiety seep into your life and make it virtually impossible to handle all of the tasks you’re responsible for on a regular basis.
Manage Your Energy with Meditation
Moreover, we are ofter told that the first way to improve your mental self-care is by meditation.
However, I’ve tried before, but I just never ‘got’ it.
Using the Headspace app is a wonderful, simple, easy way to learn and understand meditating. You will be able to daily, with ease, incorporate this essential element into your healing habits. There are other good meditation apps
Keep in mind that one solution that works for someone else might not work for you, so don’t be afraid to try multiple options and see what helps you in your current situation the best.
But isn’t Mediation Eastern Religion?
People often mistake meditation for something spiritual or religious, but it doesn’t have to be. As a believer, I know who my Maker is and if a ‘light’ or ‘higher power’ is referred to – I know who I am about.
Sometimes, mediation is just a way for you to take your mind off of things, like letting the steam get released from a pressure cooker of stress.
Mediation essentially involves sitting comfortably in silence, not thinking of anything at all, and just letting your body sit still. You probably will want to close your eyes in order to prevent yourself from being distracted.
When it comes to improving your mental health, there are plenty of options that you can follow in order to feel a lot better. One might work better than the other, or some might work equally as well for you. But, the point is to find the relief and help you need.
The Art of Grooming for Confidence & extreme Self-Care
I have embraced Make-up as a creative outlet. Having never really having worn any makeup beyond the bare minimum (and that was what I learned back in high school)! I even read some books (my favorite: Face with a Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty Makeup) and watched several tutorials. It has been a satisfying and confidence-building hobby, funny thing is, my family can’t see a difference! But I can – and I count!
Face with A Heart: Mastering Authentic Beauty MakeupEveryday Makeup Secrets: Tips for Choosing the Best Makeup for Your Unique Features (Idiot’s Guides)
Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success–Online and Off
Eight Helps to Do extreme Self-Care Right Now
- Learn some breathing exercises
- Take pauses or rests
- Accomplish nagging tasks
- Spend time outside
- Get sunshine daily
- Make a decision to change your health
- Know you can accomplish your goals
- Believe you can feel better than before
New Clothes- New Hair- New You?
extreme Self-Care includes a Fresh Outfit!
Additionally, as simple as this sounds, fresh new starts can do wonders for regaining your confidence. Moreover, as you begin to embrace life again you will be a new you. You’ve been hurt, shot down, trampled on and over. You’ve been betrayed, rejected, tossed aside. Hey, that’s on them – you take care of you.
Next, go to the salon, get a mani/pedicure, a fresh hair cut. Or better yet, save some money and try my new favorite, an easy but lovely cheat for beginners like me or busy women like you – Color Street. I absolutely love how long it lasts, how easy it is to apply and just how beautiful I feel when my nails appear professionally done.
Whether you go to the local thrift store or use ThreadUp (online personal shopper the thrifty way), go to the mall or my favorite StitchFix – allow yourself the luxury of a few new articles of clothing that make you feel good in your skin. Update: I have discovered Nadine West which is a terrific alternative to StitchFix, their prices are less pricey – though the personal shoppers do not seem to be quite on par with their StitchFix counterparts- still I have had some great finds through them.Worth checking out. From your couch. Or a chair. Back patio?
Extreme Self-Care is Not Selfish – it’s the opposite!
On
Who you could’ve been had you not be in that toxic relationship(s). I know you’re hurting, I know several of the above ideas may seem ridiculous, shallow or just silly compared to what you are going through.
They are and they aren’t. Try to bundle a bunch of them together and see how it feels. After all, anything to get your mind and heart on something else!
extreme Self-Care to Overcome and Thrive, Better Than Ever
Self-care is a big component of the journey to overcoming and thriving again. At last. our goal is to arrive at BETTER THAN EVER!
What are your best self-care tips for overcoming emotional devastation?
p.s-
Coincidently, I knew in the back of my head there was a book that had a title something similar to Extreme Self-Care. I finished this post and had a half-hour drive ahead of me (by myself – I love utilizing this alone time to listen to audiobooks). So I thought, hmm, I should see what that book is like, I downloaded The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time and guess what? I love it! If the first half is any indication -this will be a most helpful book, especially for any of us that tend to be controlling 😉
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
I believe meditation is the best way to begin healing. the practice of not focusing on anything but your own mind and body is very therapeutic.
I agree Jasmine, meditation can be so helpful! It really is a healing process, and meditation is a strong component.
I struggle with the idea that self-care is selfish every single day! I feel like I am better off than others in my life and that I just need to suck it up, do my work, and help others when I can. I try to make one morning for myself every week but that really just isn’t enough.
I constantly have to remind myself that the more I care for myself – the better I am at loving others. It makes me stronger and more confident. But it is a really struggle to take that time and truly believe it is for the best.
Glad you mentioned ear plugs! These have been a game changer for me! Quite often with my current living situation (living at home with my parents still), I have been able to unwind and relax more.
Amazing how a simple tweak like earplugs can bring so much peace!
For me, the BIGGEST self care thing I have done recently is to limit my social media time. I feel that when I am on FB or IG, I get down. especially when I see others having the time of their lives, or something like that. I feel like it’s one big competition! I know I shouldn’t think this way, but I can’t help it sometimes.
Aside from this, SLEEP has been SOOO important for me. If I just miss an hour, I can’t hardly function! I wonder if anyone else is like this!!
Thanks for reading Sky. Social media really can be a discouraging drain. I went through FB and unfollowed 90% of folks. Now my feed is only my closest friends and family. And folks I am currently working with or learning from. I’m still friends with everyone, and anytime I want I can check their pages and see what is going on. It feels a lot more like I am in control, as opposed to FB!
That’s a really good idea to unfollow people but still stay friends… I wasn’t even sure you could do that!
Sleep! Yes, I am absolutely like that! But sleep is not something I am naturally ‘good’ at – always working on getting better at it!!
I think too many people stuff their feelings!
YES! Excellent point. Ugh, dealing with our emotions is hard. But not dealing with them is even harder – on ourselves and our loved ones.
Meditation is awesome. I struggled with calming myself at first, but it really is all about the breath! Things came to me that helped guide me with current issues I had going on.
That’s great, I feel like I go through periods of really getting a lot out of meditation, and then struggle to ‘get back into it.”
I’m printing out these tips for self care right now! This is fabulous 😀
Thank you Olive!
I’ve been juicing every morning and making green smoothies and I have so much more energy! It’s amazing how good I feel. I now have the energy to exercise more, which in turn makes me feel even better. 🙂
You go, girl!!
I think self care is often ignored, but it’s essential for our mental and physical health! Learning to say “no” has been one of my most-beneficial self care methods. You can’t take care of everyone else if you don’t take care of you. Great post 😊
So true Christy!! Learning to say no is empowering! My life – my yes or no!! Blessings to you!
I love self-care, and need to be more mindful of it. I’ve been bad which is why I am having back problems right now, but I am slowly coming back and taking care of myself is so important.
So glad you are making it a priority Crissy! We need you healthy and strong! You bring so much inspiration to so many.