The Self-Care Super 6: Fairface Podcast Episode 7

Fairface Podcast Episode 7: 

The Self-care Super 6

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Listen now or on Apple/Itunes  or other channels here

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Fairface Podcast show notes




The Self-Care Super 6

Intro
Hi there and welcome back to another episode.

How are you guys doing right now? How are you dealing with all the changes that have been happening and the anxiety around the Coronavirus? It's a lot and I really hope that those of you who are listening are healthy and in good situations. It can all just be really overwhelming. I know some of you are at home with families and pets all day now, which is different than your normal routine, which, I'm hearing by the way that some of the pets (particularly cats) are not enjoying all this together time. So, that's interesting...

But for other people, who live alone, they may be feeling really isolated and alone. And I mean, honestly, even people staying at home with their families can still feel a huge void not being able to associate with other family members that don't live with them, or their friends or communities. So know it's a really tough time right now.

For me, it's been hard not to be able to see my parents or my sister and her family and there's a lot of worry that comes with hoping that they'll be safe and healthy and protected, and it's also a loss not being able to gather on Sundays with my church congregation and associate with all of them.

I've been trying to hold it together but have been feeling a huge sense of worry and unrest that I just really kept pushing away, but Saturday, I finally had a good cry. It's funny I was  just scrolling through Facebook in the morning, and ran across this video that a friend had shared of a father and daughter who were singing the most beautiful song - it was kind of a prayer to heaven and the words just touched my heart and it tipped me over the edge and I just sobbed about everything that had been right below the surface for me, that I had just been pushing down over and over. And I did eventually feel better - and I'm sure it's just what I needed.

So if you haven't had a good cry yet, I'm hearing I wasn't the only one who opened the flood gates this weekend. It might be just what you need - if you can possibly get away and even cry in a closet by yourself. It might be something that would help you, just to be able to kind of let it go for a minute and put your guard down and let all those feelings out so they're not all just bottled up inside.

And that leads me to today's subject:

Today I decided I wanted to share something really important with you, that can help you right now during this time of unrest and unease in our world, and our community and within ourselves due to the Coronavirus. Which, by the way, I'm recording this on the 4th week in March, just so you know the timeline.

This particular subject, which has been very popular lately - and rightfully so, since it's really maybe needed now more than ever before - and what I'm talking about is self-care - and it's not exactly what you think it will be so, hold on...which, if you've looked on Instagram at the hashtags, the hashtag self care has been tagged nearly 25 million times. There were nearly 25 million posts when I looked that up today. So it's clearly something that people are seeking out and that people need...really, looking for ways to soothe, comfort themselves and kind of ground us in these uncertain times.

As a kid, if someone had asked me what I thought self-care was, I probably would have said, taking a bubble bath. I guarantee that comes from the Calgon commercials from the 70's - did you ever see those?

I remember one that starts off with a frazzled woman who is totally stressed out, her life is making her crazy - she says, "the traffic, the boss, the baby, the dog..." and then she calls out, "that does it! Calgon, take me away!" and the next shot is of her relaxing in a giant Calgon bubble bath - the only relief she can find...and all her troubles are melting away.

Wouldn't that be amazing if it really worked out like that?

Well, while taking a bubble bath, or a bath itself, can be a great way to decompress and relax and is definitely a great option for self-care, real, balanced self-care is so much more than a bubble bath.

I decided that, "Self care is about caring for the whole self - mind, body and soul." - Shannon Sorensen, Founder & CEO Fairface Washcloths

And in order for us to care for ourselves in a balanced way, that can meet all of our needs, I want to share with you, what I call, the Self-Care Super 6.

*These 6 areas of self-care come from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project and this was actually given to me by a mental health professional, so it is a reputable source.

The 6 areas of a balanced approach to self-care, or caring for the whole self, are as follows:

1 Personal care
2 Spiritual care
3 Emotional care
4 Psychological care
5 Physical care
6 Professional care  

So let's dive a little deeper into each of these areas.

The first of the Super 6 areas of balanced self-care, is Personal care. 

[# 1 Personal Self-care]

When we want to get to know another person, it comes pretty easily to ask them questions to get to know them. But when it comes to ourselves, I doubt that we've ever asked those same questions to ourselves.

Do you feel like you really know yourself?

What I mean is, have you ever really taken the time to look at who you really are, what you like, what you don't like and what you really want out of life? This area of Personal self-care can go as deep as you want it to, to really get to know yourself.

Personal self-care can also be about other people that are associated with you, like fostering relationships with people in your family, or your spouse, or your friends.

It can also be about making and working toward personal goals you want for yourself or ways you express yourself, like if you are a writer, or a singer or maybe you express yourself through dance. My niece is a beautiful dancer - I love to watch her dance - you can actually feel the emotion she's expressing through her dancing. It's pretty amazing.

This might be just the perfect time, since many of us have a lot of extra "home time" right now, to take a minute to reflect on who you are and what you really want out of your life.

So what does Personal self-care look like for you?

Just to let you know, I'll include the specific activities they suggested in the show notes, that you can find on our blog once the notes are posted. So I'll tell you about that at the end.

Specific activities they suggest for Personal Self-care:
*from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project

• Learn who you are
• Figure out what you want in life
• Plan short and long-term goals
• Make a vision board
• Foster friendships
• Go on dates
• Get coffee with a friend
• Get out of debt
• Just relax
• Write a poem or book
• Spend time with your family
• Cook out
• Learn to play guitar

The next area on the self-care wheel is Spiritual Care.

[#2 Spiritual Self-care]

Spirituality can mean different things to different people and each of us can find spiritual connection in different ways.

I personally, attend church and find a lot of spiritual connection there. I also build my spirituality when I pray, read from the scriptures and when I serve other people.

I also find spiritual connection when I am out in nature. I have so much gratitude for this beautiful world and can find so much peace being outside - just breathing the fresh air, or sitting by the ocean, or walking through an old growth forest...there's nothing better, I just love it so much.

So what does Spiritual self-care look like for you?


Here are specific activities they suggest for Spiritual Self-care:
*from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project

• Self-reflection
• Go into nature
• Find spiritual community
• Self-cherish
• Meditate
• Sing
• Dance
• Play
• Be inspired
• Take yoga
• Play with children
• Bathe in the ocean
• Watch sunsets
• Pray 
• Find a spiritual mentor
• Volunteer for a cause
• Foster self-forgiveness

The 3rd area of this life-balanced view of self-care is Emotional.

[#3 Emotional Self-care]

We often hear people say, they are so emotional, or "emo", like it's a bad thing.

But emotions are such a good thing! Instead of thinking of emotions as something negative, think of how diverse and amazing our emotions can be.

This category definitely definitely fits the definition of needing a good cry like I did on Saturday. Sometimes, frankly, the only way to release some of those feelings that you have bottled up is to let them out by crying. I mean, babies cry when they don't have the words. And that can also be the same for adults, right?

We also need to be purposeful in finding the good emotions right now. Moments of joy, saying I love you, and remembering to laugh! It's okay to be happy! Please laugh more! What makes you laugh? Do more of that!

It's easy to get caught up in the negative emotions right now, but there are so many good ones to tap into.

So what might Emotional Self-care look like for you?

Suggested ways you can practice emotional self-care:
*from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project

• Affirmations
• Self-love
• Self-compassion
• Cry
• Social justice engagement
• Laugh
• Say, "I love you"
• Watch a funny movie
• Find a hobby
• Flirt
• Buy yourself a present
• Cuddle with your pet
• Tell yourself, "You are gorgeous!"
• Practice Forgiveness

The 4th area of balanced self-care is Psychological

[#4 Psychological Self-care]

When I first read this area, I wondered how this was any different than the last area we just talked about, Emotional, since we associate psychology with our minds, mental health, and emotions.

After thinking about this for a minute (and my psychology background kicking into full swing), I realized this area of self care is kind of the overarching heading to all the other areas.

"I see focusing on our Psychological health as, how we perceive and process our thoughts and feelings about all the other areas of the self." - Shannon Sorensen, CEO, Founder of Fairface Washcloths

And really, this makes sense, since some of the recommended activities in this area of Psychological care, are things like self-reflection, therapy, and journaling.

But I also love that it includes activities outside of ourselves like relaxing in the sun, or working in the garden.

What is good for our psyche might be getting outside or getting our hands in the dirt. The mind-body connection is a real thing and I think that applies to this area of self-care.

So what does Psychological Self-care look like for you?


Suggested activities for Psychological Self-care:
*from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project

• Self-reflection
• Therapy
• Journal
• Self-awareness
• Sensory engagement
• Aromatherapy
• Draw
• Paint
• Go to a symphony or ballet
• Relax in the sun
• Garden
• Read a self-help book
• Join a support group
• Think about your positive qualities
• Practice asking and receiving help

The 5th area of self-care we should have as part of our overall health and well-being is Physical.

[#5 Physical Self-care]

Of course the first thing that came to my mind as far as physical self-care was exercising and I thought, Oh no. No thank you. I think that's a typical reaction if you're looking at exercise as a have-to-do.

But if I look at it from a like-to-do perspective, I love taking walks and hiking through the woods and paddling around in the water on our kayak. And if that's considered exercise? Sign me up. The have-to-do kinds of exercise take a little more convincing, for me.

But the truth is, physical self-care can be about exercise, but it's also much more than that.

Physical self care is also ensuring you have physical safety, and that you take care of your body through eating healthy and have regular medical care and also making sure you do things that allow you to embrace, move and love your body.

Bubble baths are in this category! Our soft face cloths and skin care routines and beauty are also in this category.

Taking trips, doing yoga, taking a nap, learning a new skill - all of those are also in this category.

There are so many fun ways to practice Physical Self-care.

So what does physical Self-care look like for you?



Suggested activities for Physical Self-care:
*from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project

• Safe housing
• Regular medical care
• Eat healthy
• Exercise
• Be sexual
• Get enough sleep
• Take vacations
• Take time off
• Massages
• Acupuncture
• Bubble baths
• Kiss
• Ask for nurture
• Take a walk
• Turn off your cell phone
• Get "me" time

The last of the Super 6 Self-care areas, for a balanced approach to self-care, is Professional.

[#6 Professional Self-care]

Now this area seems to imply you are working outside the home. BUT don't think for a minute that people who manage their home and family as their work don't need this too. The work you do every day, no matter in or out of your home, whether with or without a pay check, is important and has value. So you may need to interpret these things according to your own personal situation.

As someone who runs my own business, some of these areas, that they were discussing, don't apply to me and others do but I just need to modify them to meet my personal situation, since I don't have a boss directing my work. Hallelujah! I am the boss.

I feel lucky to be able to make the plans that I do, lets say I want to take time our for lunch one day, I can do that, I don't have to eat at my desk, unless I chose to. I can take sick and mental health days and vacation days as I need to and I can plan out my work and career as I see fit.

I'm not the best at not working over-time and it's hard to leave work at work when I do it from home, but the bottom line, is, "if we don't take charge of our personal needs within our professional life, we can get burned out, resentful, feel unappreciated and taken advantage of." - Shannon Sorensen, Founder & CEO, Fairface Washcloths

Now I do have to say, one huge pet peeve of mine, that I have about working for someone else (and I've had many jobs in the past where I've worked for other people) is the common attitude toward an employee taking sick and vacation days, is that, if you do that, you are a slacker. And that is simply not true. It drives me crazy.

I am here to tell you that sick and vacation days are meant to be taken and you have permission, and you need to be taking these days off when you need them.

Now, it doesn't make you a slacker to stay home when you're sick. Especially right now, if you're sick, it is absolutely necessary to stay home.

It does not make you a slacker to take a mental health day when you feel burned out. It does not mean you are a slacker for taking a few days off to go to the beach. "It makes you a healthy person who cares about yourself more than you care about what someone else's false opinion is of you for taking that time off." - Shannon Sorensen, Founder & CEO, Fairface Washcloths

Now I know right now, many of you have lost your jobs or you are required to stay at home and not be able to work, and so these things that I'm talking about don't specifically apply to this particular difficult time that we're going through with the Coronavirus. Just know that I'm aware of that and, oh, I certainly have compassion toward the people that are struggling right now with their work. So know that we are all thinking of you.

Now, back to taking time off, it can also be beneficial to your work, during regular seasons when you can take time off, that it actually makes you more productive than if you are running non-stop at full speed, and don't take breaks.

So, bottom line for me, employers need to be so much better about encouraging their employees to take their sick time and vacation time and supporting it and not making people feel bad for doing it.

Other areas of professional self-care can be learning to set boundaries, creating a network of support, or even furthering your skills to enhance the type of work you do, whether it's in or out of the home.

And I just have to say, if you manage your home as your work, home organizing could fit here. I've heard great things about Lisa Woodruff's Organize 365 program - that allows you to follow step-by-step instructions to get your homes and lives back in order. So, that counts! And you might want to check that out if that sounds like something you would be interested in or need right now.

So, what might Professional self-care look like for you?

Suggested ideas for Professional Self-care:
*from the Self-Care Wheel from the Olga Phoenix Project

• Take time for lunch
• Set boundaries
• Do not work overtime
• Leave work at work
• Do not work during your time off
• Get regular supervision
• Get support of colleagues
• Take mental health days
• Learn to say NO
• Plan your next career move
• Take a class
• Take all vacation and sick days 

So how are you feeling about these 6 areas of self care? Have you ever thought about it this way before? Are there certain areas you feel you need to make a priority?

I know I tend to gravitate to doing my favorite things most often, and while that's not a bad thing, I've been trying to branch out into the other areas, because the point of this is to really look at self-care in a balanced way to try to meet a variety of needs in your life.

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are right now about how you've been able to help yourself feel a little more balanced, despite our current circumstances.

I'd love to hear what you think about these 6 areas and if there are things in particular that you want to focus on right now?

You can leave comments on our blog's show notes page - and you can find that at FairfaceWashcloths.blogspot.com; click on the Podcast tab and look for Fairface Podcast Episode 7: The Self-Care Super 6 (*direct link to Podcast list here.)

And you can also find me on social media - I would love to connect with you there. I tend to hang out on Instagram the most, but I am on Facebook as well. That's @FairfaceWashcloths.

Thanks again so much for being here, and I sure wish all of you safety, and good health and happiness right now. And I hope you can take some time to reflect on what areas of self-care you might be needing right now and take some time to focus on that. And remember we are all in this together! And one day, this too, shall pass...is what I just have to keep believing and telling myself. So, wishing you all the best and I will see you next time.