In the spirit of Self-Care Week, we sat down with community admin Tara Nicole, who has been preaching the importance of Self-Care ever since we got to know her.
We wanted to know what Self-care means to her, and her best tips for upping our Self-Care game on a busy schedule.
In addition to being a community admin at Outrun the dark, Tara is a mental health professional with over 20 years of experience working in behavioural health.
She is also a triathlete and connoisseur of mountain trails, and if she's not in the pool, you can find her in the mountains somewhere.
"Never doubt what you are capable of". Tara celebrating finishing Hawaii from home. 140 miles bike/run/swim in one week.
Here are Tara's 10 Best Tips for Practicing Self-Care:
1. Realise that self-care is absolutely essential. You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you want to be your best, you have to invest the time and energy into your own wellness.
2. Self-care goes beyond mani-pedis and bubble baths. It’s really a way of seeing yourself in the world and the impact that you want to leave. Self-care is also about social responsibility.
3. Ask yourself the question…who am I? What do I want from life? Am I content with how I’m living my life? If not, it might be time to up your self care.
3. Ask yourself the question…who am I? What do I want from life? Am I content with how I’m living my life? If not, it might be time to up your self care.
4. Self care is holistic. You need to take care of yourself, mind, body, and spirit.
Mind can be reading a book, learning about a new topic, restructuring negative thoughts, or even just keeping your mind sharp with a puzzle or word game.
Physically is anything you do to get physical exercise in. This can range from a good run to gentle stretching. Anything you can do to move your body.
And spiritual doesn’t have to mean religious. It’s that part of you that connects to something bigger than yourself (like the universe) that gives you a sense of purpose and gives you meaning.
Physically is anything you do to get physical exercise in. This can range from a good run to gentle stretching. Anything you can do to move your body.
And spiritual doesn’t have to mean religious. It’s that part of you that connects to something bigger than yourself (like the universe) that gives you a sense of purpose and gives you meaning.
5. Get in a mindset where there's room for you. Every day, do something good for yourself.
Take 5 minutes before you start your day to journal on your goals or write totally stream of consciousness. Centering your thoughts or meditating before a meeting can also be a great tool.
Take 5 minutes before you start your day to journal on your goals or write totally stream of consciousness. Centering your thoughts or meditating before a meeting can also be a great tool.
6. Be kind to yourself. Only speak to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. The negative self talk serves no purpose and it’s high time you start telling yourself a new story.
7. Explore the stories you tell yourself. Are they kind, am I speaking to myself with empathy and compassion? Is this true? What’s a different narrative that I could create?
8. Be resilient. Life is going to knock us down and self care will get harder to practice. But the more we focus on our strengths, the better place we will be.
9. You get to have this. Whether it’s your dream job, a companion, a new house, peace of mind, better relationships, whatever you want…you get to have this. Once you start recognizing your worth…things will fall into place. Yes, you are worthy!
10. Practice it everyday. Summon the motivation to do one good thing for yourself a day until it becomes part of your routine. It’s as essential as breathing. And once you start practicing, you’ll notice subtle shifts around you and the way you view yourself in the world.
Take care, Outrunners!
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