Goal setting and resolutions are always hot topics this time of year - people either love setting intentions or could care less about everyone babbling on about their new year resolutions. Isaac and I have always been goal setters.
Every year we sit down and make a pretty little list of all the things we want to do over the next 12 months. Anything from house projects to personal goals. Isaac likes to set a number of books to read, I like pick a new hobby to try. When we're finished we hang that pretty little list inside the kitchen cabinet where we look at it for the next 4 weeks and then completely forget about it until the following December when we talk about sitting back down to write up a new one. Is this surprising to any of you? Of course not! It's normal. Some people scrap the idea of resolutions altogether but something inside me still loves a fresh start and the idea of setting intentions.
At first I planned to set a list of goals for each month - instead of a list for the whole year - which somehow felt more manageable, but when I thought about what I really wanted for this year it came down to just one thing: self care.
self-care
noun
the practice of taking action to improve one's own health.
also, the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
If you know me you know I love the idea of self care but never actually make time for any. I feel it catching up to me! I'm usually super upbeat and full of energy but lately felt like I'm dragging. My skin is dry, my body is tired - overall I feel like I've been stretched thin taking care of the girls and haven't made time to take care of myself. So this year I'm scrapping the long list of goals and focusing on my health, wellness, nutrition and overall well-being for the next 12 months! Here's what I'm doing:
HYDROTHERAPY
Hot/cold therapy helps with releasing endorphins and, if done properly, can trick your body into thinking you just did a big workout! (What? Yes!) It's a lot like interval training. You let your body warm up and relax in hot water and then switch to ice cold water to get your heart pumping and flushing out the lymph nodes. Your endorphins will be partying hard let me tell you!
Most people use a steam room and a plunge pool to get this effect, but I don't have access to a sauna or day spa so I'm doing it at home once a week using my friend Abigail O'Neill's 12-minute miracle shower: shower for 3 minutes in hot water (as hot as you can stand) then switch to ice cold water for 30 seconds. Repeat this 3 more times. Rub down really well with a towel and moisturize!
Thanks to all the increased blood circulation, hydrotherapy creates a radiant, healthy glow!
HYDRATION
Hydration is vital to our wellbeing! It plumps up our cells, boosts our metabolism, increases performance, regulates our energy and keeps everything on the inside working and moving as it should! I know I haven't been drinking enough water so I'm upping my intake and aiming for a gallon a day - a trick my Mom learned from her Doctor; he says a lot of his patients' complaints go away once they start drinking more water!
SUPPLEMENTS
Supplements are great for filling the nutritional gap when we aren't getting enough of all the good stuff. I eat a clean diet, but sometimes don't eat a very varied diet or a diet as rich in nutrients as I'd like. This year I'm giving my nutrition a boost with a cocktail of vitamins and superfoods from Pure Synergy, a well-loved company that's been around since the 70's! Their site makes it really easy to find what you're looking for based on your health goal. I'm focusing on rebuilding a healthy foundation and firing up my immune system.
SLEEP
I don't need to write a paragraph on the importance of sleep - we all know we feel better when we get a good night! I'm gently tweaking Madeline's schedule (she was sleeping through the night and then stopped 😩) so that I can get back to a solid 7-8 hours.
SUNSHINE
I'm adding sunshine to my self care list because I generally feel happier (= better wife & mom) when I've spent time in the sun (and have a tan lol). I think this means more road trips to the beach are necessary, because you know, the sun shines brighter there. 🌤 And while we're on the topic of sunshine I just found out about this cool sunshine alarm clock that mimics the sunrise! I kind of want to get one for Isaac but I'm not sure if I want our room flooded with (faux) sunlight at 5am!
EXERCISE
Moving and sweating isn't just about building muscles or keeping our heart healthy, it plays a huge role in mental health too! It boosts brain power and creativity, puts us in a happier mood, increases energy levels, reduces anxiety & stress and helps us sleep better! Sign me up for less stress and more smiles! I'm easing back in with workouts designed for postpartum moms 3-4x a week. Last year I tried tennis and really want to get better at it this year! Stand up paddle is also on my list for when the weather warms up!
Self care is so much more than vacations and spa days - in fact I think it's about how we spend our time in between the vacations and spa days that makes the biggest difference in our well-being! I hope this is a year of glowing health and happiness for each of you! xx Christine
Thanks for sharing! Very interesting, and I may just have to try the hydrotherapy if I can bring myself to endure the ice cold water part.
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