This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Have you thought about what your self-care plan will look like this year? It is a good time of year to reflect on any changes you want to make in your life to become a better version of yourself. We all need to improve in some areas of our lives. There is nothing wrong with taking a look at what you can do better.
Whatever it may be, I promise that having some intentions set up will help you reach your goals that much faster. Need to make more time to take care of yourself? I know that is a big question which most of us will answer…yes but HOW!
The first step in making any lasting change is to be aware of what needs to be different. Journaling is a very therapeutic exercise and helps to uncover answers you may be in need of.  In my last post, I wrote about the first 10 days of the Intentions challenge from Gratitude Glass Jars that we recently finished in my private self-care Facebook group.
Day 11: Â Heart – Do you follow your heart? What prevents you from doing so?
Day 12:  Expression – Are you comfortable expressing yourself? What can you do to make yourself feel heard and valued?
Day 13: Â Authenticity – In what areas of your life are you not authentic?
Day 14:  Boundaries – Do you have healthy boundaries? If not, why are you hesitant to set them?
Day 15:  Pace – How do you feel about the pace of your life? If you need to slow down, how can you? If you need more excitement, how will you add it?
Day 16: Â Behaviors – What behaviors do you exhibit that are not productive to your success? How will you stop doing this?
Day 17: Regrets – Do you have any regrets in your life so far? What changes can you make?
Day 18: Â Questions – Do you ask the big questions in life regularly? How can you stop being scared of living the life you want?
Day 19: Â Words – Which 5 words describe you best?
Day 20: Â Success – How do you define success? Are you making steps daily to achieve success?
We are starting another challenge in my Facebook group on February 8th called the30 Day Healthy Habits Challenge. I will be sharing simple habits to enhance living a healthy lifestyle. Our Facebook group is a supportive and friendly community. This challenge offers lots of motivation, delicious recipes, and a simple step-by-step plan to reach your goals.
Now that you have these 20 questions, take some time and write your answers in a journal. After that, try to get some alone time to really reflect on how your self-care plan can improve. Stay tuned for the last 10 intention questions coming up in my next post. Stay positive and believe that you are worthy of some regular self-care!
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
What are your self-care intentions for this new year? We all need to think about adding some self-care to our schedules at least a few days per week. This doesn’t have to be time-consuming! It can be as simple as a 10-minute break from your daily life. You would be surprised what you can accomplish in a day when it’s planned out more efficiently! In other words, time management skills are a must to learn in order to get the most out of the day and fit in some me-time. This is still a work in progress for me and not so easy to do.
When I was thinking about what I can do to step up my own self-care intentions, I landed on allowing myself to accept help and enjoy some little gifts. It makes you feel good when you allow that in your life instead of giving constantly. It is ok. You are worth it.
Reflecting on My Self-Care Intentions
Writing my thoughts down is always so helpful when it comes to figuring out what I need to do and how I can improve. I keep it simple. For example, I write out a few goals for myself that aren’t too overwhelming but something that will keep me accountable. After reflecting a while on what I need this year, the first thing that popped into my head was this thought…DON’T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF!
I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to eat healthy, exercise, and live that healthy lifestyle because, after all, I am a Wellness Coach. It can get overwhelming at times, to be honest. Then I get anxious and it’s a vicious cycle. Mindset is at the top of my list to work on this year.
In addition, I want to focus on my health and allow myself to be in the present moment. VERY hard to do when you are an introvert and think way too much about every little thing! One day at a time. That’s all we can do.
An Enjoyable Self-Care Practice
Part of my self-care practice this year is indulging in some extra gifts that help me feel pampered. I started receiving TheraBox subscription boxes as a gift for Christmas and I am in love! It is pretty budget-friendly and worth every penny. Every month you receive a box full of goodies to enjoy such as beauty products, accessories, and a happiness boosting activity. This one is a top trending box and now I know why.
The box comes with a guide describing in detail what the products are.
Last month I received a hydrating serum, truffle cleansing oil, sugar polish, cute beanie, silk robe, makeup sponge, and hair mask. Last month’s happiness boosting activity was a box of intention cards from Gratitude Glass Jars. In addition, I received a reflection workbook to write goals and intentions for the new year. I can’t wait for this month’s box to arrive!
A New Self-Care Facebook Group
Because I love to give back, I wanted to share my knowledge and expertise in a new way. I have been wanting to start a Facebook group for a while. I finally got the courage to do it and am enjoying it so much! My plan is to offer a safe place to discuss self-care and stress management and build a fun and supportive community for women.
That box of intention cards in my Therabox was so inspiring I decided to use them for a challenge in my private Facebook group. I plan on having lots of new challenges and inspirational info to share within the group in the future as well. It is never too late to join!
This challenge has been so thought-provoking and intense but fun! Therefore, I wanted to share it in 3 parts because there is a lot of ground to cover. Grab a journal and take some time to reflect on your answers. You may just find an answer you have been searching for!
The First 10 Intentions
Day 1 – Joy
What is 1 thing you can do to find more joy? How often will you make this happen?
Day 2 – Energy
What gives you energy?
Day 3 – Gifts
What are your personal gifts? Are you implementing them into daily life?
Day 4 – Needs
What important needs do you have that are not being met? How can you receive them going forward?
Day 5 – Nurture
What are your favorite ways to nurture yourself mentally, physically, spiritually? Are you doing these regularly?
Day 6- Values
What values are important to you? Are you living in ways not aligned to these values?
Day 7- Pride
What are you proud of achieving in your life to date? Do you remind yourself of your accomplishments?
Day 8 – Relationships
Do you surround yourself with positive or negative people? Are they adding benefit to your life?
Day 9 – Desires
What are your most burning desires? Are you fulfilling them?
Day 10 – Â STOP
What do you need to stop worrying about? What steps will you take to let go?
The first step in becoming a better version of yourself is to ask these tough questions. And then after reflecting you are equipped to take some action to make changes if needed. Take the time you need to discover what is holding you back from living an enjoyable and positive life. We are all in need of some self-love. It will help to cope with stressful times. Plus, when you love yourself it is easy to love others. And we need more love in our world today.
Stay tuned for another 10 self-care intentions coming up in my next post. Until then… don’t be hard on yourself and be grateful for what you have already.
Find the subscription box that fits your needs! Check out the hundreds of options. Start here!
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
Well, it sure has been an interesting year, to say the least. 2020 was by far the most bizarre year. However, there were still some good things that happened and that’s what I want to focus on. Writing has always been very therapeutic for me. I wasn’t even sure I was going to share this post but thought why not. Maybe it will help someone else who feels discouraged by the events that happened.
Either way, I wanted to write a post to get all of this out of my brain and take a moment to look back on all that happened. I feel proud of the positive stuff and all that I accomplished. We need to remember that good always comes with the bad and if we are grateful we can continue to see the positive in everything!
2020 Rewind on Family Life
It was not an easy year for most of us. Between the kids doing remote learning, the pandemic, and other stressful events, 2020 was a challenging year. This may sound mean but having the kids home was not always easy. I just don’t think it’s normal for them not to be in school. At some point, we all need a break from each other and the kids need to be around friends their own age. I noticed a decline in their mental health. Going forward, we do our best to support them in this unprecedented time and make things as normal as possible.
Family Loss
On top of all that, the kids lost their grandmother due to longtime health issues. She was in Florida so we didn’t even get to see her at the end of her life. She was brought back up to New Jersey to be buried and we couldn’t even have a funeral for her. It was so sad and very frustrating not to be able to celebrate her life.
In addition, I lost my grandfather who was 101 years old. He was a World War II veteran and was married to my grandmother for 80 years! As of this post, she is still alive at 102. Good Italian genes! I am blessed to still have my other grandmother as well who is 93. She had a stroke and is now in a rehab facility. I was finally able to visit her last October and spend some quality time but I have not been able to see her since.
I have not been able to see my family in NJ and NY as much as we normally do. However, we were able to get a couple of visits in. It is so hard not to be able to hug your loved ones! I hope soon this will get better as well. Connecting on the phone and Facetime is just not the same but it will have to do for now. I am grateful everyone is healthy and surviving this crazy time in life.
SOME GOOD NEWS!
I got engaged! We are blessed to have a family house in the Poconos on my fiance’s side. We were able to get away there 3 times in 2020. On Memorial Day, my boyfriend and kids proposed to me by the lake that we visit down the road from the house. It was a complete surprise and I was shocked and extremely touched. That was the best news that came out of 2020 as most of my family and friends tell me! It was a bright moment in a dark and stressful year.
2020 Personal Rewind
While at home during the shutdown, I picked up the hobby of gardening. Sort of. I found a great plant nursery that I visited to get out of the house and find some peace. We had a new patio built so I bought lots of plants and flowers which made it my favorite spot of the spring to hang out! I also tried my hand at renovating a couple of things around the house. In addition, I learned how to sand and restore an old table as well as an old Adirondack chair set.
I took the time off to organize some of the rooms inside as well. A complete overhaul of the kitchen was attempted and I did get rid of stuff we never use. I also cleaned out all of the closets and donated clothes and other items. Cleaning and organizing never seem to be done but I was happy with my progress!
We are blessed to have a pool and that was my favorite spot in the summer. I probably got a little too much sun but I was in my glory. I felt grateful to have a little escape at home.
At the beginning of 2020, I decided it was time to get some weight off that I have gained over the years. I tried 3 different programs that somewhat worked. I only lost 12 pounds. But I will take it considering how much stress there was throughout the year!
Being a spiritual person, I missed going to church but I did find the time to watch mass on TV and also on Facebook Live. I definitely felt a little void in that part of my life although I do keep up on my devotional reading and listen to uplifting preachers.
2020 Rewind on My Business
My Massage Therapy business was closed due to the pandemic starting the second week of March. I thought it would only be a couple of weeks. I was out of work for 5 months. No massage sessions and no chair massage events. It was sad and boring not to go to my office and I missed working on my clients. However, there was lots of time to work on my blog which was fun for me.
When I returned to my office in August, I came back to a very slow schedule. People were just not ready to come back yet. I had my reservations as well but was extremely prepared with all the proper protective equipment and cleaning protocols in place. To be honest, it took some of the joy out of giving a massage. Wearing a mask may not be a big deal to some people. I hate it and feel like I can’t breathe. I guess I got used to it after a while but it definitely is not enjoyable. As I am sure it’s not enjoyable for my clients to wear a mask during their sessions either.
This is the case for now. I have to go with the flow and hope that my business will recover. My hope is that one day it will go back to normal. I don’t know how I will recover those lost months of business. I don’t know if it will ever be the same. Although I have been doing massage therapy for 15 years, I do still love it but it may be time to move on to something more sustainable. Time will tell.
2020 Rewind on My Blog
There was plenty of time to work on my blog in 2020. First, I started with taking a free course on how to set up a blog which was so helpful called Start a Blogging Business- 5 Day Crash Course. Then, I was able to make some great connections through an awesome blogging course I took called Blogging Blastoff 2.0. Therefore, these resources helped me grow my blog and introduced me to a lovely community of bloggers to network with.
Through these connections, I was able to meet people to add to my community as well as collaborate on some really cool projects! I look forward to doing more interviews and writing reviews on wellness-related products and services. Please share anything that you would be interested in reading about!
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I was asked to be a feature writer for a new section on the Leslie W. Blog called The Wellness Chat.
I took a class on expanding my Pinterest account and started growing my following on other social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
As a Blogger, one way to make money with your blog is to become an affiliate. In other words, you promote other company’s products and services and then receive a small commission from any sales from your affiliate links. First, I signed up with some companies that have made a good impression on me and that I believe fit in my wellness blog.
I hope to be able to grow that part of my blog and offers lots of great deals to my community that will help them in their wellness journey. I would love to hear what you think!
Here is the list of companies I work with as of this post. Thanks to ShareaSale for offering this amazing opportunity!
Above all, I am happy to report that we remained healthy and survived the tough times together. Looking back, I am grateful for the accomplishments and I look forward to another year of growth and continued happiness. My wish is that 2021 will be a year of healing and happiness for all.
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Find That Perfect Self-Care Gift
Buckle up and hold on ladies! It’s that time of year when we start to become busier than usual. Self-care tends to be forgotten during this time especially. Because of social distancing, we need to think of ways to entertain ourselves and our families which can be stressful.
Remember to take care of yourself and practice some self-love during this season. I have found some comforts of the season that I rely on to keep me going.  Of course, I do my best to stay on track with healthy eating, exercising, and spiritual practices. However, this is the season to allow yourself to indulge in some extra treats. Everything in moderation!
Here is a sneak peek into some of my favorite winter essentials.
A Thoughtful & Unique Self-Care Gift – Subscription Boxes!
CrateJoy Subscription Box– The perfect self-care gift to yourself or a loved one! Receiving a subscription box once per month is a special treat and makes you feel fabulous. Who wouldn’t want some extra self-care treats every month. A Self-Care Gift for all ages is available!
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Sleep Essentials
Comfortable Pillows – My Pillow has been my favorite for a while.
Heated Blanket– Sunbeam & Biddeford are 2 good brands we like from Amazon and Kohls. Feels great to climb into a warm bed!
High-Quality Sheets – My picks are Simply Vera Wang & Sonoma Goods For Life from Kohls.
Comfy Pajamas – I like Croft & Barrow and Cuddl Duds® from Kohls.
Relaxing Routine
Massage Therapy – I go every 3 to 4 weeks for wellness visits.
Nothing like a hot soak to relax your muscles.
A special treat for your feet that feels amazing!
A few minutes is all you need to unwind and your feet will be fabulous!
Not sure if this works but I enjoy getting the extra light like I am in the sun again!
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Read your favorite book – I am reading Elin Hilderbrand’s books right now and love her stories. I even signed up for a library card! Find your favorite titles at Bookshop!
Skin Savers
Dry Brushing – Great for detoxing and it feels great both wet and dry.
Daily Moisturizer – Find the perfect brand for you and use it daily to quench that dry winter skin.
Serum – I like L’oreal, Neutrogena, and Oil of Olay products.Â
Facial Roller – It feels really soothing on your face and neck and massages the moisturizer into your skin.
Vital Vitamins
I like thePure Encapsulations brand. Make sure to check the ingredients because all supplements are not created equally and can contain unnecessary ingredients. I recommend buying directly from the manufacturer.Â
Add these immune boosters and relaxing supplements to your winter routine. Ask your doctor first because sometimes even natural vitamins may interfere with medications.Â
Zinc
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Magnesium
Ashwagandha
Make Time for Entertainment
Set aside time to see your friends – Needed to vent and for laughs!
Decorate your home for the Holidays – Get in the spirit!
Shop online – Save yourself the stress and avoid the crowds.
Learn a new hobby – My newest passion is photography.
Try new recipes – Check out my Pinterest page for hundreds of recipes.
Watch a new Netflix series – Loving Schitt’s Creek right now. Very funny!
Watch your favorite Christmas shows – Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph make me feel like a kid again!
Drive through neighborhood light displays – Enjoyable activity with the kids.
Indulge in Your Favorite Treats
Bake your favorite treats – Dark chocolate PB cups always do the trick.
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels – Another obsession of mine!
Pignoli Cookies – My favorite Italian cookie that never disappoints.
Self-Care Gift Toolkit
Having a plan to beat the winter blues is necessary. Take some time and write out a list of your self-care essentials. Cherish this time with your families. Take care of yourself and enjoy the winter season and holidays with your loved ones.
Shop for a self-care gift you know your loved ones will actually use and enjoy!
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
Sticking to a self-care routine is not so easy but it is possible with some help! Having some balance takes practice and will not happen overnight. In addition, different stages of life bring circumstances that may need to change how you practice self-care. No one is judging and if they are don’t listen to the haters. Do your best and create a life that you can become the best version of yourself.
There are many different approaches on how to practice self-care. I like to make things simple. None of us have the time to waste. Simplifying life is part of any stress management plan. I hope you can figure out what works for you and add some self-care into your daily routine!
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Self-Care Routine Basics
Below are 8 simple steps that all self-care routines should attempt to accomplish. I will briefly describe what each of them means to me from my experience and training as a certified Wellness Coach.
In all of my posts and coaching programs, there is the main theme of the overall picture of health. These include the Physical, Emotional, Nutritional, Environmental, and Spiritual components of health. Having an understanding of each piece will help you manage stress and create an awesome self-care routine that is sustainable.
Stress Management
Being able to cope with the stress that comes up in life is a major factor in maintaining your health. It is essential to commit to some kind of stress management plan and include stress relief techniques in your self-care routine. Without a plan, you will be sure to feel anxious and overwhelmed and not be able to bounce back from daily struggles. Don’t let things snowball out of control. Hot tip- take a break from electronics to lower stress dramatically.
Self-Care To Do’s: Write down some ideas to manage the stress that works for you. Hire a friendly and experienced Wellness Coach. 🙂
Express Your Emotions
The emotional aspect of wellness is just as crucial as the others. For every thought or emotion you have, there is a physiological response in your body. The mind/body is connection is powerful so you want to make this one a priority. Be kind to yourself in your thoughts and actions. A positive mindset is an influential skill to achieve.
Self-Care To Do’s:Daily affirmations, Journal, Seek out a therapist, check out the Positive Mindset Workbook.
Love Yourself & Others
Love is a very powerful healing tool! Self-love is important and it is not selfish to think of your own needs. In addition, being in service to others and your community is a great way to forget about your troubles. God has called me to be in service to others and it has been one of the greatest joys of my life!
Self-Care To Do’s:Â Schedule alone time, create a pampering checklist, volunteer, or get involved in community service, forgive someone.
Feed Your Spirit
I can’t say enough how my faith has helped me overcome anxiety and depression many times in my life. Whatever you believe in that is positive and helps you manage stress… do more of it! I miss going to church every week but I do set time aside to watch it on TV or online. It is the highlight of my week and boosts my mood and fuels my soul. Peace be with you all!
Self-Care To Do’s:Â Guided meditation or prayer daily, positive devotional reading, listen to a spiritual or motivational speaker.
Cleanse
This step has a lot of meanings. Cleansing your mind and body is always part of a good plan. Having some control over your environment is helpful as well. For instance, straightening up, cleaning, and organizing your work and home spaces goes a long way in maintaining self-care. My anxiety levels always rise when my home is not clean, cluttered, or disorganized. Therefore, I always feel so much better with an organized and clean house!
Self-Care To Do’s:Â Use non-toxic cleaning products, storage solutions, professional organizer, frequent donations to clear out your house of unnecessary clutter.
Appreciate
The number one key to happiness is being thankful. Being appreciative and grateful for what is in your life already is an extraordinary self-care practice.
Self-Care To Do’s:Â Â Keep a gratitude journal, gratitude app, thank your loved ones consistently for their support.
Restore Your Energy
Making sure you have enough rest is a necessary part of life. Sleep helps you to recover and heal. It is not natural to only have a few hours of sleep per night. It will eventually be detrimental to your body. Not enough rest will make you cranky and negative also. Who wants to be around that! Whatever it takes try to create a sleep routine to follow.
Self-Care To Do’s:Â Try essential oils to unwind, see a doctor if you have problems with sleep, enjoy a quick nap when possible, take a break from electronics before bed, use sleep apps.
Eat Healthy & Exercise
By now most people realize that eating a healthier diet is beneficial. Enjoy your favorite treats in moderation. Too much-processed food will bring your energy levels down and increase stress. Also, scheduling time for physical activity is an essential part of any self-care routine.
Self-Care To Do’s:Â 30 minutes of movement daily, stretching routine, meal planning service, nutritionist, use a food tracking app.
Create a Self-Care Routine Today
Now that you have some info on creating a realistic self-care routine – get to it! Let me know if you need any help. Take one step at a time. Life is too short to not be living your best life!
You may enjoy some of my other posts about self-care…
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach. She has a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
