Start thinking of Self Care as Self-love in practice (instead of Selfishness or Self-indulgence)Self care is not selfish, it is necessary for creating a better you and a better world. Self love is different from narcissism and is the basic building block to becoming self determined and loving other people.

Be Your Own BestFriend!

-Be self reflective in order to develop a strong sense of self-Be honest and gentle with yourself-Allow yourself to feel in order to process, grow, and move forward-Keep a journal and/or have alone time to rejuvenate and process-Realize the ways in which you are special, strong, and valuable-Prioritize your own needs-Have fun getting to know yourself-Practice being intentional with your time and energy so that you can do what is best for you

Take care of your body

ZZZZZZZZZ…-Make sleep a priority-Try to get in the habit of having a regular sleep pattern-Make your bed/bedroom a safe and comfortable place for yourself-Allow your body to restore itself- Sleep reduces stress and depression, and increases memory and productivity!

Eat Well and Exercise -Always listen to your body and honor its limits and potential-Educate yourself about nutrition and exercise and come up with a plan for building healthy habits-Be patient with yourself and meet your body where it is each day-Take care of your body so that you can feel better and accomplish more-Plan snacks and meals that are nourishing and balanced-Stay hydrated!-Invest in your future by learning good habits now and by taking care of your heart, bones, lungs, liver, mind, and spirit

-Make time to pursue the things that you love-Try new things even if they are out of your comfort zone-Enjoy each moment (even the ones that are not ideal)-Surround yourself with people who love, support, and celebrate you-Gravitate towards the places, activities, and people that make you feel safe, happy, alive, and at peace-

Reduce Stress• Take a little time each day to do

something just for you• Try going for a walk, taking a bath,

reading a book, pursuing a hobby, having some quiet time, or maybe even just taking a few deep breaths

• Let go of thoughts and things that are negative and or destructive

• Keep perspective so that small obstacles do not become more overwhelming than they need to be

-Trust Yourself!-Listen to your intuition-Go with your gut feeling-Believe in yourself

Ask for Support• If you feel that your well being is being impacted

by anxiety, addiction, depression, and/or other personal struggles, connect yourself with resources that can help you

• Educate yourself about resources available to you

• Cultivate healthy relationships with friends, family, and your community

• Remember that asking for support is a way of taking responsibility for yourself and your own happiness and overall well being

Expand Your Self Care!

• For more tips on self care, resources, referrals, community building, and opportunities for self-education check out the Women’s Resource Center in UMC 416

• Or visit our website: http://www.colorado.edu/WomensResourceCenter/