7 Self-care Tips That Will Change Your Life

Self-care is something that I take VERY seriously. Hi, my name is Nerline and I used to be a sad and depressed girl. If you read my about me page, you will understand why writing this post is so important to me. I was raised in an environement where self-care was rarely mentioned. And to tell you the truth, my mental health did not matter. My mom left Haiti when I was only 6 years old, leaving my dad to take care of me and my 4 siblings. And when I tell you that man had flaws, I am not exagerating. But today, I want to share with you 15 self-care tips that changed my life. And my hope if for you to understand that until you start taking care of yourself, you will never be truly happy.

What is self-care?

Self-care means more than filling up your jacuzzi bathtub with water and adding some bubble bath gel to it. Self-care means taking care of yourself meantally, spiritually, and physically. Eating the right food, exercising, your beliefs, even choosing safe products for your skin, are all parts of self-care.

7 Self-care Tips That Changed My Life

1. Reading allows you to be in two places at the same time

I used to think that I read because I wanted to be a great writer. But in reality, I read because reading allows me to be in two places at the same time. And if you are someone who loves to travel, that’s exactly what you need. Knowing that reading can take me to places that I have never been before totally changed my life. For you it might be a movie, or a song. Whatever it is; just make sure you find that thing that allows you to escape the noise.

2. You don’t have to copy anyone to be happy

Happiness means self-acceptance. Until you can do that, you will never be truly happy. It’s okay to be unapologetically YOU. At the age of 45, if I cannot embrace everything that makes me ME, then my whole life has been a lie. Doing things my own way and being able to accept ME is the best form of self-care.

3. You can’t care for your family if you don’t take care of yourself

I love my husband and my 2 children to death, but I also know if I am laying on a hospital bed, I will not be able to take care of them. That’s why when it is time for me to lock myself in my bathroom or my closet, I feel 0 guilt. I am the chef, the cleaning lady, the uber driver, the barber, the hairstylist, my dad’s caregiver, and everybody’s mentor. I cannot be ALL to everyrone if I cannot be anyting to myself. I learned a long time ago that self-care is not selfish.

4. Doing what you love is self-care

If what I love makes me happy, and happiness is a form of self-care, why not? Your vision is what God wants you to see. Let me give you a pefect example. My husband used to ask me over and over about where I saw myself in 5 years. And over and over I had the same answer for him; I see myself growing Chic From Hair 2 Toe into my first business. By the look on his face, I could tell that he was not satified with my answer. I will never forget that be-more-realistic-look. But you know what!? We are not going to hold that against him. It was not his vision. He could not see what I saw. Love what you see. Do what you love. And don’t ever let anyone stop you.

5. Being spiritual has nothing to do with religion

Spirituality connects me to a power higher than myself. Once I understood that, my life changed. I don’t have to be part of a religion to feel the spirit that lives within me. I can feel and hear it when it talks to me. I know it’s there when I need to find peace and purpose in life. You don’t need to be part of a religion to be a spiritual person.

6. Self-care doesn’t have to last hours

I used to think that taking an hour long bath while burning my favorite candle was the best form of self-care. But self-care can be 15 munites of meditation every morning, or a walk outside. Self-care is so important that at my job, there is a respite room where we can go to just be. When they were building the 10th floor, my manager made sure we had that room, because she understood how overwhelming taking care of covid patients can be. If you feel overwhelmed in the middle of the day, take a 15-minute mental break. It might be short, but it will change your whole day.

7. Self-care is important during a tragedy

A tragedy can trigger so many emotions. And if we are not careful, we can lose our minds. I remember when covid started, I was so depressed. Everything became so unreal. When I saw all these bodies in freezing trucks in New York, I thought CNN was lying. I thought the goverment was lying. I almost lost my mind. That’s why it’s important to do a mental health check-in. It’s important to make sure that you are in the right state of mind, even during a tragedy.

What is a selfcare tips that has changed your life for the better?