10 Ways to Practice Self-Care this October

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This year has gone by so fast, but it’s not over yet! Even though we’re already in mid-October, there is still time to end the year better than you started the year. There is no need to wait until January 2019 to make resolutions to better yourself when you can start making changes now. In this post, I am sharing some tips on Self-Care that you can start implementing right away.

To be honest, neglecting self-care is something that I’ve struggled with for years starting in my teens, twenties and even now in my thirties. Over the years, I have failed to make my physical health and my mental health a top priority convincing myself that I am strong and that I will be ok. Throughout life, I have experienced many traumas like my father being diagnosed with cancer, my husband being diagnosed with a rare tumor, my childhood home being burned down by a house fire, and the list could go on and on if I continued. I’m sharing traumas to highlight that for years, I’ve been living through the traumas of life without self-care which left me in an unhealthy place. Without self-care, stress builds up, you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, depressed, and physically sick. Because of my neglect over the years, I’ve experienced anxiety, panic attacks, hives, migraines and other physical ailments. Recently, I’ve been inspired to focus on self-care so that I can be my best self for others and have the energy and health to be able to live life to the fullest.

As women, we owe it to ourselves to have wholeness and wellness to be healthy and equipped to face all of the challenges that life brings. Since we are in the 10th month of the year, I wanted to share 10 ways that you can start practicing self-care and integrating small changes into your routine.

1. Get a Check-Up: When was your last doctors visit? In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month, I challenge you to schedule a mammogram or screening for awareness. Did you know that women in their 20’s and 30’s are advised to get one screening every three years?

2. Seek Therapy: Growing up, people felt like if you saw a therapist, you were crazy. I’m so happy that this stigma is going away because therapy is essential for mental health and great for processing trauma, grief and life changes.

3. Get Glammed: Get your makeup done or try a new hairstyle. I love to change my hair. If you follow me, then you know I love to glam up and change my hairstyles multiple times in a month. This allows me to express myself and feel confident.

4. Meditate: Take a few moments for quiet time, or if your mind is busy, practice guided meditation. My favorite app for guided mediation right now is insight timer.

5. Exercise: Get moving! The endorphins will give you the boost you need. I love doing yoga and zumba which help me de-stress.

6. Get a Massage: Let a massage therapist rub away the stresses of your day and get those kinks out of your neck.

7. Journal: When was the last time you wrote all of your thoughts, prayers, ideas and fears down? Journaling quiets your mind and is easy to implement into your daily routine. Currently this is my favorite journal.

8. Sleep: This seems basic, but if you are fatigued, you are not your best self. Go to bed (I’m preaching to myself on this one).

9. Get a Facial: Go to a local spa or do an at home facial to pamper yourself. Your skin will thank you. If you are in Charlotte, my favorite spot for facials is Urban Skin Solutions Medspa.

10. Say No: This is something that I am getting more and more comfortable with. We have to learn to set boundaries for ourselves, and the best way sometime is to just say No.

What self-care tip are you going to kickstart this month?

I’m collaborating wth Stage Stores in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to celebrate Pink October and the #IpinkIcan initiative. Stage will be helping raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation both in-store & online. When you shop with Stage, you have the opportunity give back by shopping “Pink” items and 50% of the sales go to BCRF. In this post, I’m wearing a pink blouse to support this cause. Also, during the month of October, for every #ipinkican moment you share on Facebook or Instagram using thehashtag, Stage will donate $1.00 to support Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Stage Stores but all opinions are my own.