7 self care tips for every woman

By Joy Carole (www.joycarole.com)

Taking care of myself is something I never paid close attention to. When I harken back to the past, I did a lot to hurt and torment the most important person in my life- me.

Without realizing it, I morphed from being a guiless mummy’s girl; to a lady whose esteem, confidence, inner-life, self-respect, body, vision and heart fell into pieces.

This, if you ask me, can be pinned on unfulfilling friendships, letting down my guard, holding onto fatalistic relationships and even unhealthy meals.

Once I figured out the path I had taken was not getting the best out of me, I decided to make a fresh start by taking care of myself.

So far, the journey has been rewarding since a lot of people are asking me what I am doing to be the way I am. If you desire more than the perfect weaves, flawless make-up or groovy looks in order to take care of yourself, the following things could also help you.

1. Cutting down alcohol and drugs

In the long run, taking alcohol only made me tired, washed out and dull. Many women have gotten into this habit and unfortunately, getting off is not easy.

When I cut down my alcohol intake, I became healthier, prettier, I stopped having headaches, I got time to socialize and I saved some money for other uses.

If you have no system of detoxification, then your body is slowly shutting down. Opt to cut down the intoxicating substances and switch to taking stuff e.g. smoothies that will cleanse your system.

It will not be easy for the first few days or weeks; but if you want to be healthy; hold on, fight the temptation, control yourself and think of the benefits. Trust me, the end result is divine.

2. Eating healthy

Despite unhealthy eating selflessly exposing me to many lifestyle diseases, it made me put on weight at the purportedly ‘wrong’ places.

Once it occurred to me that I was feeding on poison, I started eating clean. To many people this might sound unreal but I take three to four liters of water every day, I stave off dairy products, wheat and even fried foods. Take it from someone who minds what she eats, I feel alive.

There is nothing wrong or weird in minding what you eat. Avoid too much junk food, the takeouts, heaps of pizza and anything that can cause your body harm. At the end of it all, what is the point of struggling to live, be successful and end up dealing with the consequences of unhealthy feeding?

3. Having constructive friendships

After pulling back from some of my friends, I got time to concentrate on my self-development; and fascinatingly, I became a better person. The break gave me time to focus on my betterment, mapping out my goals and coming up with a plan for my life.

One thing that I learnt from this is that friends can either make or break you; and you have the choice of determining which way it goes.

When your friendships revolve around gossiping, partying, lazing, idling, shopping, eating, smoking pot and nothing more, know that you are clinging to dead friendships. If you intend to be more than mediocre, have friends who are focused on being better in all areas of their lives because you will be influenced to do the same.

4. Being at peace

The peace of mind made me happy, love life, focus on progress, made me forgive and even taught me how to deal with setbacks. Nothing surpasses the value that comes with it and just like being happy is a choice, being at peace is.

When there is a storm brewing outside, choose to be at peace in the inside, when you feel like getting into a fight, stay away because not every fight is worthwhile; when a situation is beyond your control, let it be and watch it play out; and when anything threatens your peace, fight it off. Keep off negativity or anything that will upset your inner peace. Strive to be the peace you want.

5. Stop beating yourself up

I was guilty of being overly critical about myself. During such times, I used to over think and end up crucifying myself for so many things. Sadly, at the end of the day, I felt bad and since this energy was destructive, I opted out of being the judge, jury and victim.

If you want to grow, never be unreasonably critical about yourself or talk down on yourself. Your mind, heart and soul listen and take heed to what you say, therefore speak words of life to yourself.

When you have failed, find ways of fixing the situation instead of blaming yourself for it; or when a situation goes south, do not kill yourself over it, deal with it and move on.

ALWAYS filter what gets into your mind and heart. The good will make you grow while the bad will bring you down.

6. Pumping your will

My will to live, achieve goals, be happy, be at peace, do good and get the best in life has kept me going and even made me fall in love with myself the more. Never lose your will to live because that is what will give you the strength to carry on and take care of yourself.

Sometimes life is hard because you choose not to focus on finding solutions, situations get worse because you decide to see it as the end of the world; and the world beats you to a pulp because you cannot fight back. No matter how minimal your will is, hold on to it with all you've got.

7. Praying

At most times, not a day goes by without me praying or reading the bible. If you are a religious woman, do it too because it will make you feel better, give you confidence, release hurt from you and if they get answered, you will be sure there is a higher power out there holding you down.

Ultimately, never forget to guard your heart. Not everything or everyone you are exposed to can make you a better person. Go for what will give you life at all times.