10 Self-Care and Ritual Ideas to Fill Your Cup

In a world where lots of mamas around the country are expected to be full time care givers, educators, and also have a career, this mantra is hard to get behind. Because where do we fit it in? Everyone's situation is different, but I am here to commit with you to a little more self care... something I am continuously trying to commit to and besides working out, I am truthfully not the best at finding the time for. But when you understand that it's impossible to give your best to others, unless you have first taken care of yourself, this puts things into perspectives.

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To help myself and hopefully you, I created a list of 10 ideas that fill my cup below, steal them or create a list of your own. The goal is to create a list that brings more soul and energy into your life. A list of potential rituals you can add to your daily life, which will in return allow you to breathe a little deeper and give more ease to your day.

1. Create a morning routine that fits your needs uniquely. It can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 60 minutes. I personally am in a transitional phase and getting used to quarantine work from home life. Along with my current 5 minute mama morning routine, I am wanting to add a few additional rituals to add more intention to my day.
2. Drink your daily recommended amount of water and make drinking a full glass of water a priority before you do anything else.
3. Try a new seasonal recipe. With Fall months in full swing, try this sweet potato bison game day chili, the easiest homemade tomato soup, the ultimate Fall salad you are sure to fall in love with, or this heavenly apple cinnamon oatmeal bake to get your house smelling like Fall heaven.
4. Take a hot bath or shower with Epsom Salt at the end of your day. Add essential oils and you an even do this in the shower by adding a few drops of oil to a damp wash cloth and placing it above the shower head. Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Sandalwood are a few of my favorites.
5. Meditate and specifically, try productive meditation. In his book, Deep Work, Cal Newport talks about this concept. "You focus on a question you have, but you don't critically think of the answer. Instead, you focus on being present and mindful, letting thoughts come to you. When you notice your thoughts steering away from your question, go back to your question."
6. Go on a long walk or hike. Spending time in nature and being mindful. Spending just 2 hours each week in nature is good for your health.
7. Capture 1 second a day, every single day of the year. I have had friends use this app and it's something I have wanted to try. To focus on the highlight of your day, which helps reflect on the richness of your life, even or especially if it's in the simple moments
8. Practice daily gratitude. It physically changes your brain. We have said it before, but spend time thinking or writing down what you are grateful for EACH DAY. According to Inc.com from the following study, "In short, practicing gratitude seems to kick off a healthful, self-perpetuating cycle in your brain -- counting your blessing now makes it easier to notice and count them later. And the more good you see in your life, the happier and more successful you're likely to be."
9. Do an act of kindness. For your spouse, friend, or neighbor. We all know it feels good to make someone else's' day.
10. Spend time each morning working on a hobby... reading 10 minutes of your book, watering your plants, home decor. Those items that you wish you had time to do. Prioritize it, even if it's 15 minutes each morning.

Completing even one of these or one of your own is truly conquering your summit and we would love to see you taking care of yourself during these often chaotic and uncertain times. Tell us what you are doing this week to take care of yourself by tagging us via social media and using the hashtag #conqueryoursummit.