Carpet Repair

How frequently you need to repair your carpet depends upon you. There are instances like burns, crushing, fading, furniture, bleeding, sprouting, and carpet bugs where you'll wish to take action. Most of the time, you can finish a repair job without requiring a pro, although there will be times when you'll need pro assistance.

 

Burns happen when a cigarette butt or flame comes in contact with the rug. If the burn is little, the burnt fibers of the carpet may be cut out with scissors. If the burn is big, you'll have to replace the area with a fresh piece of carpet. You can do this yourself if you understand how, or have an installer do it.

 

Fuzzing happens when loose fibers come out on the edges of the rug. To fix this, merely cut the fibers that are sticking out. 

 

Heavy furniture may result in indentations being left on the carpet. To eliminate these nasty marks, you ought to sprinkle your carpet with some club soda, place a towel over the area, and then iron it. Do this a few times and you'll see your carpet start to re-fluff.

 

Much traffic on the surface of the carpet will cause it to flatten out, which might give some types of carpet a shadowed appearance. If this occurs, you ought to brush and vacuum the area. If you can't fix the issue, you may need to hire a pro, as this may sometimes be really tricky.

 

A rug is known to have sprouts only when there are tufts on it, which are longer than the remainder. As pulling on them will merely damage the rug more, you ought to trim them off with scissors and level them down to the rest of the pile.

 

The best way to deal with carpet bugs is with a strong vacuum suction. You ought to always avoid spillage and keep the surface of the carpet clean of food. The carpet beetles are rather annoying, as they feed on wool, hair, hides, fur, grain, seeds, and flour. If the carpet is overrun badly, a pro cleaner is the way to go.

 

Bleeding of the carpet is the loss or transfer of the color from one section to a different. Good underlays may help to prevent bleeding to a particular degree. Crocking on the other hand is the loss of the carpets color when it's rubbed. To avoid this, merely avoid getting your carpet wet.

 

Handy Organic Ant Control for your Home

It’s a fact of life, unless you live in Antarctica, that pests will make themselves at home in your house or apartment.

 

There are a variety of insect pests you need to think of and no two are alike. Rather than spraying toxic chemicals into your home environment, consider using organic, non-toxic pest control. It’s safe for your home’s human occupants and for your pets as well. Pests will show up in the air, your carpeting, your kitchen counter and other places you’d rather not find them.

 

Let’s take a look specifically at ant control for your home or recreational areas outside. Remember that organic pest control varies somewhat with the pest you’re dealing with and that just like with inorganic chemical pest control, you don’t always use the same thing for ants as you do for fleas. Here’s a look at your organic options for ant infestation in your home.

 

For the organic treatment of ants, a common summertime pest, you need to make sure your countertops are free of crumbs and anything sticky or sweet. Cover your food well and keep your honey wrapped in a plastic baggy. Leave water sources off 

during the night and don’t leave dirty dishes lying around. The same holds true for your deck or patio. Clean all food up after an outdoor meal and teach your children not to throw food into the yard, like watermelon pieces or other sweet foods.

 

Your organic pest control continues with a small spray bottle filled with soapy water that you can spray on the little beasts. Put cucumber peels or slices in your kitchen, especially where the ants come in. You can also put tea bags with mint tea in them or cloves around the places where the ants are very active. See if you can trace the column of ants back to their entry point and set out a line of cayenne pepper, citrus oil, lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds. Ants won’t cross those lines.

 

For serious organic pest control against ants, mix a small amount of honey with an equivalent amount of Borax and aspartame. Put about a teaspoon and a half of the mixture in a bottle and set the bottle (without a lid) on its side where ants are active. This acts as a kind of toxic bait that the ants bring back to their colony. Keep small animals and children away from this toxic bait.

 

Another organic pest control trick is to leave a low-wattage light bulb or nightlight around where the ants are. 

 

It disrupts their day and night pattern and can confuse their patterns of food hunting.

 

If ants are on your deck outside, use your organic pest control skills and put a few cloves of garlic, previously cut into pieces, between the cracks of the deck slats. Ants don’t like garlic and will steer clear of the strong odor. 

 

You can use some of the same indoor tricks outdoors, especially those involving the use of cayenne pepper, citrus oil, lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds. You can’t use the trick using the toxic bait outdoors as some small animals can get into it. 

 

There’s no reason to resort to harsh and dangerous chemicals, indoors or out, when perfectly acceptable organic pest control for ants will keep your home ant-free in a much safer way. As long as you keep your kitchen and the rest of your home clean and follow the above methods to discourage or kill ants, your summertime experience will be more enjoyable and healthier for you and your family.

 

Organic Clothing and Our Environment

Few of us would connect the idea of organic clothing with the Earth’s environment and yet, a strong connection between the two exists. In fact, now that global warming is becoming more of a fact than a probability, consumers need to think of the impact on the environment of even the clothes they wear. 

 

Have you considered what would happen if the entire world stopped buying conventional garments and instead purchased only organic clothing? Immediately, all of the toxic chemicals used in the production of conventional clothing would begin to disappear from the soil and the groundwater and all of the chemicals used in making synthetic clothing would be of no use. 

 

Using organic clothing throughout the world would save thousands of lives - those of the farmers killed every year from pesticide toxicity, particularly in third world countries. In addition, there may be a reduction in the number of people with chemical sensitivity syndromes, which is also often related to chemicals in clothing. With organic clothing, chemical dry cleaning would not be necessary. If buyers went totally “organic” energy wasted in conventional dryers would be restored.

 

In truth, however, the garment industry does participate in environmental pollution and global warming - even those who participate in making organic clothing. Consider all of the sheep, alpaca, llamas and other wool-producing animals that 

provide clothing fibers in the form of wool but that also contribute to methane gas emission from belching and animal flatulence. Cows, which produce leather, create about 600 liters of methane per day per cow. 

 

The growing of even organic fibers requires tractors and trucks - all of which use fossil fuels and emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Improving the fuel efficiency of farm implements would help reduce such emissions.

 

All fibers, even organic fibers, go through a manufacturing process that relies on fossil-based energy. Petroleum-based fabrics like nylon and polyester use additional energy in their production. 

 

Much of the clothing we buy - organic or otherwise - uses plastic for packaging. Plastic is made from non-renewable resources and, if not recycled, is sent to landfills where the chemicals in the plastic leach into the soil and cause harm to the environment. Recycling of all plastic materials needs to be a must if we are to stop this process from happening.

 

Consider the energy costs of shipping clothing from manufacturers to the public. As a great deal of the conventional cotton clothing is made in China, you also need to consider that most of the energy these factories use comes from coal - a substance not very good for global warming. From there, all garments, organic garments as well as conventional garments, need to be shipped all over the world. One solution would be to produce and purchase clothing as close to the source of the manufacturer as possible. 

 

Another solution to improving the environment is to purchase organic clothing and to wash them in cold or warm water. Use a clothes line if possible. A great deal of energy is spent washing clothes in hot water and drying them with high heat. 

 

While buying organic clothing is just the beginning of what it will take to improve the environment, there are clearly things consumers can do to do their part to reduce energy use and to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly it will take everyone to make the biggest difference.

 

Decorating Your Workplace for Christmas

When it pertains Christmas decorations, there are numerous who only decorate their homes, but there are other people who wish to do more. If you're one of those people, there's a good chance that you may be interested in decorating your workplace for Christmas. If you're interested in decorating your workplace or even just your workspace, you'll find that there are a number of different ways that you can go about doing so; ways that can help you find affordable Christmas decorations or the ones that look the best.

 

Before you are able to begin to familiarize yourself with simple and low-cost ways to decorate your workplace for Christmas, you may prefer to keep a number of important things in mind. One of those things is the fact that not everybody celebrates Christmas as a holiday. There are some people who opt not to celebrate Christmas on their own, but there are other people who are following the views and beliefs of their religion. Since there's a good chance that you may be working with somebody who doesn't celebrate Christmas, you may want to ask your supervisors or your other employees before you begin decorating, even if you're only decorating your own personal workspace.

 

Although there's a good chance that you may be shopping for Christmas decorations on a budget, there's also a chance that cost may not be a concern of yours. If you're looking to have the best decorated workspace in your building, you may be shopping for beautiful, elegant, or trendy Christmas decorations. If that is the case, you may want to think about shopping at a local specialty Christmas shop or online. These browsing methods will likely give you the biggest selection of Christmas decorations to choose from. They may cost a little bit more, but they're almost always worth the price. Whether you're looking for porcelain or ceramic Christmas figurines, tabletop fiber optic Christmas decorations, or small Christmas trees that you could decorate, you should be able to find what you're looking for online or at a specialty Christmas shop.

 

As mentioned above, it was advised that you speak to your coworkers and supervisors before you decorate for Christmas. Even if you know of somebody in your workplace who doesn't celebrate Christmas you are able to still decorate your workspace for Christmas; however, you'll need to take a little bit different of an approach. Instead of decorating your workspace or workplace with Christmas decorations that symbolize Christmas, such as decorations that have Christmas trees, Santa, or reindeers on them, you could take a simpler approach. Simply by purchasing a red and green tablecloth for your desk or an artificial bouquet of red and green flowers, you could still bring the holiday spirit into your workplace, without having to worry about offending one of your coworkers.

 

By keeping the above-mentioned points in mind, you should easily be able to decorate your workplace or workspace for Christmas, no matter what you had in mind. Christmas season is all about sharing, giving, and spreading the holiday joy, so, if you want, start spreading that joy to your coworkers today!

 

Decorating Your Home with Elegant Christmas Decorations

Each year, millions of Americans grace their homes for the approaching holiday season, namely Christmas. Are you one of those people? If so, which type of Christmas decorations do you plan on using? While you might not necessarily think that there's a difference in Christmas decorations, there is. This difference is often the overall quality, also as the design. If you have yet to start decorating for Christmas, you may want to think of decorating your home with elegant Christmas decorations, you'll find that there will be a number of benefits to doing so. 

 

Also, the appearance of elegant Christmas decorations, you'll also find that their price is quite different. In most cases, you'll find that elegant Christmas decorations cost more than most traditional decorations. Aside from the better quality, you will find that this has to do with where the decorations can be purchased from. Most elegant Christmas decorations can be purchased online, from specialty retailers, or from specialty Christmas stores. These retailers are almost always priced higher than most others. One of the reasons for that is because most elegant Christmas decorations are handcrafted. A large amount of time, skill, and money go into creating handcrafted Christmas decorations; thus the increase in costs. 

 

Now that you know what elegant Christmas decorations are and where they can be purchased from, you are able to begin to start focusing on the benefits of using them to decorate your home. Perhaps, the greatest benefit of using elegant Christmas decorations to decorate your home is the feel that will be created. As you likely assumed, elegant Christmas decorations tend to create an elegant feel or environment. If you take great pride in your home, especially the design and cleanliness of it, you may also be proud with the results created by elegant Christmas decorations, as your guests will likely be as well.

 

Despite the fact that we often associate Christmas decorations with personal home use, that is not their only purpose. If you're planning having a Christmas party or dinner in your home, you and all of your guests can greatly benefit from having elegant Christmas decorations, especially if your party or dinner will be elegant or formal in nature. It's no secret that decorations are the key to any party. The decorations that you use will likely have an impact on the mood of your party; thus, if formal and elegant is what you were trying for, elegant Christmas decorations may do just the trick.

 

Although there are a number of benefits to decorating for Christmas with elegant Christmas decorations, you do not have to. Since your home is your home, your own individual space, you're advised to decorate with what makes you feel the most comfortable. If elegant Christmas decorations are that then great, but if they're not, you have a limitless number of other Christmas decorations to choose form.

Decorating for Christmas: Your Buying Options

As the holiday season comes around, many people start getting into the holiday spirit. One of the many ways that you may do this is by decorating your home for Christmas. If you're interested in decorating for Christmas, you'll need Christmas decorations. If you have yet to purchase your Christmas decorations, do you know where you are able to get them? Despite what you may believe, there are actually an unlimited number of places where you are able to buy Christmas decorations from.

 

When it comes to buying Christmas decorations, many people head to their local department store. Shopping at one of your local department stores for Christmas decorations is a good way to save time and sometimes even money. What is nice about department stores, as you likely already know, is that they carry a wide range of products. This means that you are able to combine your Christmas decorating shopping with your other weekly errands; thus, saving you time. You'll also find that most department stores have their Christmas decorations reasonably priced.

 

While it's nice to shop for Christmas decorations at your local department store, you have a number of other options; options that you may not have considered before. One of those options is getting your Christmas decorations from one of your local dollar stores. Regrettably, when it concerns dollar stores, many shoppers mistakenly believe that the items found inside dollar stores are poor in quality and not worth their time. The fact is that this isn't always true. You are able to easily find a number of quality Christmas decorations, at an affordable price, at dollar stores. 

 

If you would like to have access to a wide selection of Christmas decorations, but you don't have access to a local Christmas store, you're advised to give online shopping some thought. Online, you should be able to find a collection of retailers who specialize in selling Christmas decorations, maybe even handcrafted Christmas decorations. What is nice about shopping online is that you are able to easily shop for a particular type of Christmas decoration or you are able to shop affordably, the choice is yours to make. Maybe the easiest way to find Christmas decorations online is by performing a standard internet search. 

 

Christmas decorations are an important part of the holiday. That's why you're urged to decorate your home for Christmas. Whether you choose to shop online, at a specialty Christmas store, department store, discount store, or dollar store, you're sure to find the decorations that you need to bring the Christmas spirit into your home.

Decorating for Christmas: Using What You Already Have Inside Your Home

Are you planning on becoming one the millions of Americans who decorate their houses for Christmas? If so, where do you plan on getting your Christmas decorations from? When it comes to Christmas decorations, there are many people who choose to buy new Christmas decorations annually. While it's nice to have new Christmas decorations every year, you may not have or want to spend the additional money. If so, you're lucky because there are a number of different ways that you can go about decorating your home for Christmas by using the things that can already be found inside your home.

 

When it concerns using the items that you already have inside your home, to create Christmas decorations, you'll, in a way, be creating your own decorations. You are able to do this by taking items that you already have, such as a bowl, and adding other items that you may already have inside your home, such as artificial flowers or something similar, to create a Christmas decoration. One of the many advantages to doing this is the fact that you can save yourself a fairly large amount of money. While it's possible to purchase Christmas decorations for an affordable price, it can get quite expensive. That is why you may want to think about decorating your home for Christmas with the items that can already be found inside of it.

 

Above, a bowl and artificial flowers was used as an example of how you can create your own Christmas decorations. That example was just a couple of the many that exist. You can also use candleholders to create your own Christmas themed centerpieces. Also, table centerpieces, Christmas pictures and drawings are also commonly used as Christmas decorations. If you have paper, colored pencils, markers, or even crayons inside your home, you could easily create your own Christmas pictures. If you own a collection of picture frames, you could easily turn your Christmas picture or drawing into a framed work of art; a work of art that may look well displayed in your bathroom, the living room, or even the entrance to your home.

 

There's a great chance that you may already have Christmas decorations inside your home, from previous years. If this is the case, you may want to think about using the same Christmas decorations again. If you would like to spice things up a little, you can easily rearrange the decorations and how they're displayed in your home to prevent them from looking the same as before. You may also prefer to alter the decorations that you have. You are able to easily do this by adding a Christmas bow to a wreath and so forth. 

 

Why spend money on new Christmas decorations if you do not have to, especially if you don't have the additional money to spend? By keeping the above-named points in mind, you could easily save your money for something better, such as your Christmas dinner or Christmas gifts for your friends and loved ones.

Christmas Tree Themes: Are They Really Worth It?

Before you are able to start to determine whether or not it would be worth it for you to decorate your Christmas tree with a theme, it's important to note that different people have different views on themes. There are several Christmas tree owners that choose to theme their Christmas trees by having everything a special color. For example, there are a few who decide to have a white Christmas tree with gold and red decorations. All of the decorations typically match. While many take this easy approach, there are other people who take it a step further. There are some parents who tend to focus their Christmas tree theme around an animated cartoon character or something else that their children enjoy. The decorations used are all typically associated in one way or another.

 

The type of theme that you would like to use, if you choose to use one, will help to determine whether or not you should go through the hassle of decorating your Christmas tree with a particular theme. For instance, it was mentioned above that many just theme their Christmas trees with a particular set of colors. While this can still be difficult to do, it's one of the easier ways to have a Christmas tree theme, especially if the colors are traditional holiday colors. Anything different and you may spend days or even weeks looking for Christmas tree decorations; Christmas tree decorations that may be more than you're willing to pay for. So, if you're interested in decorating your Christmas tree with a theme, but without having to go through all of the hassle, you're advised to take the simplest approach. 

 

If you do decide to decorate your Christmas tree with a special theme, you may want to think about shopping for your Christmas tree decorations early. Around the months of October and November, the majority of individuals start shopping for Christmas decorations. When this occurs, the selection of decorations available drastically decreases. When you want to theme your Christmas tree, there's a good chance that you'll want certain types of Christmas tree decorations, such as lights and ornaments. If you want to be sure that you get exactly the Christmas tree decorations that you were looking for, you're advised to start purchasing Christmas decorations as soon as they become available or as soon as you make the decision do decorate your Christmas tree a certain way.

 

Also, everything that was mentioned above, it's also important to examine the time that it will take to theme a Christmas tree. When it comes to themed Christmas trees, most tree owners want to get their Christmas trees exactly as they envisioned it in their minds. Regrettably, that can take a lot of time and experimenting. It does not mean that you shouldn’t theme your Christmas tree this year, it just means that you many want to examine whether or not you really have the time to do so.

Tips To Continue To Take Care Of Yourself Going Forward

Self-care is a process. It requires practice and dedication if you want to make it stick. Don’t get discouraged if it takes time to make this new concept a part of your life. It’ll get easier, and you’ll probably find yourself craving your self-care activities so much you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. However, there will inevitably be times that are busier or more stressful when self-care may go by the wayside. If you find that happening, be sure to follow these tips to continue to take care of yourself going forward. 

 

Follow Your Gut

 

Sometimes we get so busy that we find ourselves living on auto-pilot. That’s only natural during hectic times, but it’s critical that you make an attempt to listen to your instincts during these times to know whether you’re in need of a boost. When you start to feel especially frazzled or fatigued, that’s not a cue to double down and work harder. It’s your body and mind telling you that you need a break. Listen to them. Along these lines, look for other unusual signs that things are off balance with you such as irritability, eating poorly, losing sleep or indulging in bad habits. These things are telling you to take care of yourself. 

 

Schedule It In

 

A trick that helps some people to fit self-care into their schedules when life gets busy is to actually write it in their date book or calendar. Treat your self-care commitments like any other appointment or event. Write down the time you’ll start and finish. Try to be specific about the activity you’ll engage in. Doing these things will increase the odds that you’ll actually follow through. It’s easy to put yourself on the backburner when life gets crazy, but don’t forget that these are the times you need self-care the most. 

Create a Plan

 

Developing a self-care plan is crucial to maintaining your well-being. I shared some ideas in a previous blog post about how to do this. Let’s review a bit, as it’s so important to have a self-care toolkit at your disposal during life’s busiest and most stressful periods. Keep your emergency self-care list and your care package together so they’re easily accessed when you need them. You also make sure there’s a list of trusted contacts to call when you might need some self-care encouragement and accountability. Your tribe can provide the motivation and support you need to take care of yourself. 

 

One final word. Take time to assess your self-care needs regularly. This will also help to keep you on track. Ask yourself once a week or so if you’re giving yourself enough time and attention. Listen to your instincts. Make adjustments as necessary. Self-care is an ongoing and evolving process. It requires your constant attention. 

Don’t Feel Guilty For Practicing Self-Care

In yesterday’s post, we touched on the fact that many people feel guilty for spending time and resources on self-care. There are a lot of complex reasons for this within our society. Despite what anyone else may say, you deserve to focus on your own needs. In fact, it’s good for those you love when you take care of yourself. You truly can’t fill another’s cup if your own is empty. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to emphasize why you shouldn’t feel guilty for practicing self-care and encourage you to do so in every area of your life. 

 

It’s Not Selfish

 

First and foremost, you must understand that taking time to care for yourself is not selfish in any way. It may be hard to get past the mindset that the needs of others are more important than your own, but overcoming this mindset is essential to allowing yourself to adequately meet your own needs. Care isn’t a zero-sum concept. When you care for yourself, it doesn’t have to mean you don’t care about others. 

 

It’s Necessary 

 

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. It really is like the airplane air mask comparison. You have to ensure you can breathe before you can help those around you. If you’re tired, rundown and overwhelmed all the time, you absolutely cannot give your best self to others. You also can’t offer yourself the very best. Remember that self-care isn’t selfish. 

 

It Sets a Good Example

 

If you’re a parent, investing in self-care is not only good for you, it sets a good example for your kids. Even if you don’t have children, taking the time to care for yourself might be inspiring or motivational for those around you. In order for a stigma to end, it has to be normalized. When more of us let the world around us know why self-care matters, they may begin to change their minds about the concept, as well. 

 

It Demands Respect

 

It also sets a precedent for how you expect others to treat you. When you demonstrate that you value yourself and that you find worth investing time in yourself, they will respond in kind. Learning to say no and set boundaries is good for your relationships. It teaches others how you expect to be treated and makes it clear that you see yourself as a priority. There’s no reason to feel guilty for that. 

 

It will take time to overcome a lifetime of message society has given you and you’ve internalized. With practice, you can come to see the benefits of self-care and that it doesn’t have to be something that causes guilt. 

Self-Care Doesn’t Have To Cost Anything

 

Lots of people get the wrong idea about self-care. They think they have to be deserving of it. They feel like it’s splurging to do something good for yourself. It can seem extravagant. I’d like to change that mindset today. Self-care is something you deserve. Everyone does. It benefits us all, along with those around us, when we put our own well-being at the forefront. You can’t take care of others when your own well-being is suffering. Let’s take a look at some free and low-cost ways you can care for yourself. 

 

Take a Time Out

 

Sometimes just a little bit of alone time is all you need to feel rejuvenated. So why not give yourself a time out? Lock yourself in your room with a nice cup of tea. Listen to some quiet music. Just sit still and think for a bit. It’s a luxury we all can afford.

 

Waste Some Time

 

We often feel pressured to be productive all the time. Being busy is a sign of worth and accomplishment. However, it really doesn’t have to be that way. Just kicking back and doing nothing is important to recharging our batteries. Let yourself have some down time to do something frivolous like binge on your favorite Netflix show, take a nap or just sit and pet your cat. You deserve it. 

 

Do Some Writing

 

Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, journaling can be a very therapeutic activity. Jotting down what you’re grateful for has been proven to be beneficial to well-being. It can also be energizing to simply do a brain dump in which you write down all the things that are floating around in your head. Jotting down dreams for the future might inspire and motivate you to take action. Give it a try. 

 

Reach Out to Someone

 

Socializing is a crucial part of self-care. Even introverts benefit from interpersonal connection. Humans aren’t meant to be isolated. Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Sit down and Skype with your favorite internet pal. Meeting up in person for a walk together or a cup of coffee is even better. Connecting to others might just provide the spark you’ve been missing. 

 

Change Your Perspective

 

A change of scenery can be a wonderful source of renewal, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Just heading out to walk in your neighborhood might help when you’re feeling stir-crazy in your home. If you’re able to afford it, a low-cost staycation to a nearby location for a day or two is a fun way to switch things up. You’ll be surprised what this change of perspective can do for you. 

 

While these are just a few of the countless ways you can indulge in self-care without spending much money, perhaps they’re just the jumpstart you need to begin exploring this concept. You truly do deserve to spend time, energy and effort on your own well-being. 

Make A List Of 5 Simple Self-Care Routines You Can Fall Back On When Needed

Beneficial habits like self-care often go by the wayside during stressful times. It can be difficult to focus on anything but the bare minimum when life gets hard. The fact is, though, that these are the days when you most need to take care of yourself. One way to have a self-care toolkit to help you out during these instances. Having a list of self-care routines can make it easier for you to implement them when needed. There are some other tricks you can employ to get you through the tough times, too. Keep reading, and I’ll share them with you. 

 

Make a List

 

Let’s start with your self-care backup plan. This is a list of at least five activities you can easily fit in your life during the most stressful periods. Having such a reminder on-hand will let you gain the benefits of caring for yourself without having to think about it too much. This list can include simple reminders like go to bed early so you get enough sleep, eat nourishing food to keep your energy up or ask for help you need it because these are all things you might forget when you’ve got a ton on your plate. During times of trouble, the very basic foundations of self-care can be the most important. 

 

Make a Care Package

 

Another way to boost your chances of keeping self-care at the focus during hard times is to prepare a care package ahead of time. This can include some of your favorite little indulgences like a good book, herbal teas, facial mask, fuzzy slippers and classical CD. Include anything that brings you joy. Being able to reach for this package when you’re stressed can mean the world and make a huge difference to your outlook. 

 

Involve Your Crew

 

When things look bleak, you may require a bit of help to get back on track. That’s why it’s a good idea to reach out to trusted friends and family now to enlist their help for the future. Talk to your closest confidantes and let them know you would like them to always encourage your self-care routine. Share with them the benefits it’s provided you and tell them you’d appreciate their assistance if they see you aren’t caring for yourself as well as you should be. Sometimes those who know us best can see things we don’t. When your crew knows to look out for you in this regard, they can reinforce your self-care needs during times of stress. 

 

Taking steps to plan now can make maintaining your self-care routine easier in the future. Always remember it’s during the hardest times that you need to nurturing yourself the most. 

Try Something New Today To Care For Yourself

In yesterday’s blog post, I shared ways to get started with self-care. Creating habits and adding activities to your calendar help increase your chances of sticking with your new routine. Another way to keep things interesting is to treat yourself to things you’ve always wanted to do. Adding new and novel experiences to your self-care routine is like giving yourself a little gift every day. It’s a great way to stay motivated to do things to care for yourself. 

 

Pamper Yourself

 

Taking physical care of yourself in a pampering way makes us feel good. Pampering is a go-to for many people when it comes to their self-care routine. Think of something you’ve never done before. It doesn’t have to be expensive. A small act of indulgence can have the same effect as an extravagant one. Maybe consider scheduling a manicure if you’ve never had one. A bubble bath with candles can be soothing if this is something you don’t do very often. If your budget will allow, a spa day with a friend could rejuvenate your body and spirit. 

 

Celebrate Today

 

Most of us don’t buy ourselves presents very often or even give ourselves little treats. You can change that starting now. Think of something within your budget you’ve been wanting for a while now. Then give yourself permission to buy it. Maybe it’s that snazzy pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on or the cell phone upgrade that would make your life easier. Giving yourself one gift, no matter how small, can be a boost to your self-worth. 

 

Enjoy the Little Things

 

Self-care really doesn’t have to be on a grand scale. The tiniest gestures can be the most meaningful. Indulging in small free or low-cost treats allows you to spoil yourself more often. What are some little things you’ve never done for yourself that you can start adding to your life today? Have you ever bought yourself flowers? Give it a try. You’ll get a boost every time you see that beautiful bouquet on your table or desk. Think of your favorite food item, the one you have on special occasions. Why not make one day a week a little more special by trying a new version of it? For example, commit yourself to tasting a new truffle each week at your favorite cholate shop. Get creative with it.

 

Adding new experiences to your self-care routine keeps things interesting and can also help make them more meaningful. Novelty will also expand your world and enrich your life. Plus, it’s just fun!

Start & End Your Day With A Little Self Care

Like any new habit, adding self-care into your life can seem kind of tricky. You probably wonder how you’ll manage to find time to do anything extra for yourself, let alone how you’ll actually remember to do these things. One of the best ways to get started is to build your activities into predictable parts of your day. In order to make something a habit, it has to happen regularly. Keep reading, and I’ll show you some tricks to making self-care a routine part of your life. 

 

Make It Personal

 

The first thing that will help you in creating your self-care rituals is to choose activities that are meaningful to you and that you enjoy. This is your practice, so you want to be sure it’s customized in order to get the most out of it. Consider making a list of things that help you to feel relaxed, peaceful, excited or happy. These activities should be able to be done in a short amount of time and easily fit into your life without special equipment or tools. At least as you begin your practice, the things you choose to do should be as simple as possible. 

 

Fit It In

 

You should add your self-care rituals to the most convenient parts of your day. Choose times that are already somewhat flexible so that incorporating something new into that space will be less stressful. Many people go with morning or evening routines, right when they wake up and before going to sleep each night. Getting up fifteen minutes earlier than usual and setting aside a window during the usual night-time schedule are usually things most folks can do. However, maybe designating your daily lunch break as your self-care time might work better for you. Consider activities like writing a gratitude journal entry before bed, listening to music while having your morning coffee or going for a short walk over your lunch hour. Trial and error may be required, but find a moment to call your own every day. 

 

Be Flexible

 

It’s best to come up with a routine that works for you and stick to it. Committing to a particular schedule will help you to create a habit and ensures that you get the self-care you need. However, try to cut yourself some slack. Some days are more hectic than others. You may not be able to fit in your anticipated self-care activity, and that’s okay. Tomorrow is a new day, and you can try again. Soon, you’ll find yourself wanting to take part in these rituals, and getting back on track will be easy. 

 

Getting into the practice of regular self-care doesn’t have to be difficult. Making a few adjustments to your existing schedule can free up some space in your day. Choose things that will refresh you and that are simple in nature will make getting started a breeze. 

Why Self-Care Matters & Super Simple Ways To Treat Yourself

You’ve probably heard the term “self-care” used a lot lately. It’s become a popular buzzword in the media and in personal development circles. However, you still may be unclear on what it means. While the concept does involve taking care of yourself, it actually goes much deeper. Read on to learn what self-care is, why it matters and how to get started doing it. 

 

About Self-Care

 

Self-care covers a lot of areas with regard to caring for yourself. It involves nurturing your body, mind and spirit. It focuses on building yourself up so that your internal resources don’t become depleted. Essentially, self-care is being as good to yourself as you would be to someone you care about. It requires you to show yourself some compassion and encourages you to be vulnerable with others, asking for help you when you need it. What doesn’t fall under the umbrella of self-care are self-destructive coping mechanisms such as using drugs, drinking, gambling or retail therapy. These things only make you feel good in the short-term. 

 

The Benefits of Self-Care

 

There are lots of benefits to practicing self-care. Embracing this concept can be difficult for those who’ve always placed emphasis on the welfare of others. However, giving all your energy to those around you without filling your own back up leaves you depleted and empty. That’s no way to live. Instead, spending time and effort on yourself rejuvenates and energizes you. Taking time to indulge in your own interests demonstrates your worth, leading to improved self-esteem and a more positive outlook on the world. It teaches you a lot about yourself and provides you with insight into what you need to be the best version of yourself. Self-care helps you better cope with stress and to prioritize what’s important to you. You’ll be better able to take care of others when you also take time to meet your own needs. 

 

Examples of Self-Care

 

There are countless ways to add self-care into your routine. The key is to choose activities that are most enjoyable to you and provide you with the most benefits. Going for a walk in nature is great for those who enjoy the outdoors. Other forms of exercise like yoga, running or going to the gym work well, too. Spending time with friends can be rejuvenating, but so can saying no. Allowing yourself to decline invitations or favors when you’re feeling run-down is a big part of caring for yourself. Treating yourself to a favorite, affordable indulgence like a movie, manicure or ice cream cone are all good examples. As is taking a bath or meditating. These are just a few of the ways you can easily incorporate self-care into your life. 

 

Now you know what self-care is and what it’s important. You’ve also got some ideas of how to get started, so you’re well on your way to adding this useful practice to your life.