BEYOND BUBBLE BATHS

BEYOND BUBBLE BATHS What it Means to Practice SELF-CARE

We all love a good, indulgent treat once in a while. But the real magic of self-care happens when we can practice it consistently, and let it take root in our everyday routine. In the last several years, as society’s stress level has risen, so has the awareness that we can do something about it — and the self-care movement is now a global effort, a trending topic. Studies show how crucial self-care is: In 2018, the U.K.’s Mental Health Foundation conducted a study of stress levels across the nation. Results indicated that 74% of respondents had felt so stressed they were overwhelmed or unable to cope. Add a cancer diagnosis to the mix, and the lesson is clear: Taking better care of ourselves is not a luxury — it is a health imperative.

HOW DO YOU PRACTICE SELFCARE?

We asked Amoena4Life readers, “What does self-care mean to you?” and received a variety of enticing responses:

A spa day and massage.

Time alone!

Taking a nap.

A girls’ day, with a haircut, having my nails done, going out for lunch and shopping with a girlfriend.

Reading, dark chocolate and a hot bath.

Yes, pampering is a good thing — particularly after cancer surgeries and treatments. No one can deny that little (and big) indulgences are well deserved. Want to eat ice cream (now that it tastes good again)? Yes, that is a form of self-care. Scheduling a spa day? Indeed, you should, for your health’s sake.

However, once life has returned to its “new normal,” your time may be spoken for, and you cannot indulge in sweets whenever you like! “It’s not all salt baths and chocolate cake,” says Brianna Wiest, author of the book, I Am the Hero of My Own Life. Instead, creating regular, reliable self-care practices — things that fit into your day-to-day routine — will sustain you.

DIGGING DEEP: DAILY CARE TAKES WORK

Wiest’s writing suggests that sometimes self-care must be “unbeautiful.” Tasks like checking a spreadsheet of your finances, so that you feel less stressed about money, can be a form of self-care. Forcing yourself to do a sweaty workout is certainly not luxurious, but it is necessary self-care.

Ally Morrison, Program Director for U.S. breast cancer charity Image Reborn, adds,

COMFORTABLE BRA CHOICES MAXIMIZE YOUR DOWN-TIME

For a truly stress-free moment of self-care, be sure you are wearing a supportive, comfortable bra or leisure top.

Kitty Soft Bra With no seams, closures or adjusters, this pull-on pocketed bra is soft and cozy. It’s an ideal choice for sleeping, too. Kitty Soft Bra, Magenta, sizes S – 2XL.

Valletta Top Amoena customers know that Valletta is the perfect tank top for comfort, style and soft support. Go out or stay in! There’s no bra required — it’s built in, and pocketed. Valletta Top, sizes 8-26.

Self-care means taking the time to actively listen to your body and your heart — with compassion. In our society, we often feel pressure to push the hardest, be the first to wake and the last to go to bed. [But] sometimes we need to stop when we are tired. When we take time to give ourselves what we know we need… we clear space to be able to give more freely to others.” So, how can you make selfcare a daily practice? Try these simple ideas: Start and end the day with gratitude for small things

Transition from work to home gently, perhaps by creating a mini-ritual like drinking a cup of tea or washing your face before you begin cooking or cleaning

Turn off digital devices and cultivate intentional time with family, friends, and neighbours

Journal regularly; try it on Sunday mornings, for example

Enjoy a nature walk — for mental clarity and physical benefit

Nourish yourself with good food

Be still — just for a few moments each day Real, lasting self-care does not require a day off or need to be momentous — it should enhance what already exists: your one, beautiful life.

“Actual self-care... has very little to do with ‘treating yourself’ and a whole lot do with making choices for your long-term wellness.” Brianna Wiest, on thoughtcatalog.com

RELAXING READING Turning off digital distractions and sitting down to read is a simple way to practice self-care. Here are some recommended publications on the topic:

Wildfire Magazine – Subscriptions available at wildfirecommunity.org

Founded and Edited by April Stearns

Written by and for young breast cancer survivors, this bimonthly publication offers wisdom through personal stories. Every issue centers on a specific theme, and Wildfire encourages readers to submit their own essays. So writing down your feelings, which is certainly an act of self-care, can serve others, too. Happier Now: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments (Even the Difficult Ones)

Happier Now - How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments

by Nataly Kogan

In this moving personal story, Kogan describes her discovery that “chasing the ‘big happy’” was a fruitless – and detrimental – pursuit. Instead, she learned to practice capturing tiny moments of happiness and rely on selfcompassion. She includes easy self-compassion exercises that anyone can put into practice.