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More about Self-Care: What’s Your Oxygen Mask?

In a previous posting, I talked about the safety lecture on air flights about putting your oxygen mask on first, then your kids.  This is a great metaphor for how women need to take care of themselves first, how doing this is self less, not selflish!

So, what is your oxygen mask?  What are those large and small elements of self care that are vitally important to you feeling the most you, to feeling healthy, happy, whole and grounded?  Here are some coaching questions to help you design your POW self care routine:
1. Think of your body, mind, spirit, soul, heart and emotions.  Now, ask yourself, in each of these categories, what are the things that on a daily, weekly, monthly, bi-annually and annual basis that you need to do for yourself to give yourself positively outrageous self-care?  This can be as simple as drinking enough pure water, moving your body daily, having regular massages, going on an annual retreat, reading something inspiring every morning.  Drop this question into your consciousness like a pebble dropping into a beautiful lake.  Give yourself a few days to let the ripples expand and then design your own self care routine in the homeplay exercises.  Allow yourself to really sink into this activity from the perspective of having anything be possible with no restrictions, just go for it!
2. Now, conversely, think of all the activities in your life and make a list of these.  This might include driving kids to school, calling your mom daily, going to the committee meetings, all the activities related to your paid work, domestic chores.  Now, ask yourself how many of these activities do you engage in because you feel you “should” as opposed to really, really wanting to engage in them.  Is your life a series of “shoulds”.  What do you think happens in this case.  My experience and observation is that resentments and frustrations build until there is conflict and or illness.  Think instead of designing your life to include activities that are nourishing, rewarding and fulfilling for you.  Does this mean never doing the laundry, or cleaning or being caring.  Of course not, but it does mean being aware of those systems in your life and when you are doing more than you need to be.

Enjoy creating your own self-care routine!

namaste,

Zoey

Zoey Ryan

coach . catalyst . shakti sage

life & business coach for women

www.positivelyoutrageouswomen.com

 

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