Prioritizing Self Care

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS JESSICA CARTWRIGHT

With the school year in swing, I recently hosted a little ceremony for my 8-year-old daughter and a couple of her close friends and their mothers. A chance to talk about boundaries and selfcare, set intentions, write down affirmations and just make this a fun time instead of a stressful time.

One mom shared that the word "urgency" really comes up for her this time of year. This sort of back-to-routine energy of new schedules, sometimes rushing to get places and not wanting to miss anything.

I bet we can all relate, right?

During my 8-plus years of teaching prenatal yoga and working with mothers, I have always considered it my job to bring the focus back to ourselves. We adore our children so much, and will do so much for them (lucky kiddos!), but it’s so essential and important that we also direct energy back toward ourselves, especially this time of year (as we settle into routine, prepare for activities, holidays, etc.).

From an eastern medicine perspective, seasonal transitions are a time during which we can be especially prone to illness and feeling worn out. Fall is a season that is dry and can be a time of heightened anxiety (vata season in Ayurveda).

So instead of pushing against, here are some ways to lean in, and make sure you’re taking care of YOU too!

• Schedule self-care time. Seriously, put it on the calendar. A weekly yoga class, walk with a friend, acupuncture or massage, daily feel-good movement. I find that, if it’s on the calendar, I’m way less likely to push it aside or deprioritize it, and my family also knows it’s a priority.

• Practice nourishing routines. Create routines that work for you. Maybe it’s meal prepping on a Sunday afternoon. (I know I’m not about to make a full meal come 5 p.m. on a weeknight, but if there’s something already mostly prepared, I’m way more likely to eat a healthy meal that supports my system). Set an alarm to leave 5 minutes earlier, so your system isn’t rushed. Light a candle at night to help the body unwind from all the blue light. Eat more root veggies as we head into fall.

• Add in anxiety and stress relieving practices. This could be simply drinking less coffee, or better yet, meditation for 5-10 minutes a day. Consider anything that feels really grounding to your system and gently moves energy. Yin/ restorative yoga, qi gong or tai chi can be particularly helpful for this. So can Epsom salt soaks. Nature walks. Signing up for sessions with your therapist. You get the picture.

• Check in with yourself and practice gratitude. This one seems so obvious but trust me, it’s regularly overlooked. When was the last time you slowed down and really asked yourself how you’re doing, what you’re craving, what you’d like more or less of in your life? That practice of inner inquiry – it’s everything. When was the last time you honored how hard you work, all your efforts and showed yourself some much-deserved gratitude? One of the best ways to get grounded is through gratitude—and applying it toward ourselves is how we move from being our worst inner critic to becoming our own inner bestie.

To quote whoever originally said it, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” I know that’s certainly true in my house. And if you need permission, here it is: It’s OK to take care of yourself. You’re allowed to put yourself first when you need it. Caring for you is not selfish, it’s self love (and wouldn’t we want to model that for our children?).

If you want some extra mindful activities you can enjoy with the whole family to refuel and connect, here are some ideas:

• Host a fall family ceremony! Do some fun yoga or breathing exercises, create a family altar of things that make you feel good, write down affirmations to hang on the fridge or in your little’s room, etc.

• Visit the Garden of 1000 Buddhas outside of Missoula, Montana. I took my daughter there this summer (along with my friend and her two girls, ages 6 and 8), and it was even more peaceful than I remembered. All the kiddos were instantly calm and peaceful too. They were really feeling it and loved exploring. I cherished sharing about how we can’t avoid stress in life, but there are practices we can do to help us get to a peaceful state of nonsuffering (the Buddhist way!).

• Plan a fun family day. We love the carousel and playground in Butte, by the waterpark. Include a visit to Front Street Market for some yummy Italian goods! A family day can be something much closer to home as well. Remember to make it fun and relaxing for you too.

• Visit a hot spring. This is a great time of year for hot springs. Fewer tourists, cooler weather. Water always helps us to regulate our nervous system, especially when paired with nature.

Prevention is the best medicine. So, tending to yourself now instead of mid-season (when everyone is burnt out and sick) will pay back tenfold!

Jessica Cartwright supports women through her online membership of new moon and full moon yoga and magic meditations, The Wild Fem Co. She also offers local and international women’s retreats, private yoga, energy healing and cacao ceremonies for your special celebrations. She is a Doula, Ayurvedic specialist and mother to daughter Bella.