Often times, when caught in the throes of our hectic everyday lives, it’s not uncommon to overlook what it means to invest in a self care routine. And as a busy mom with a thriving business, I have even passed off my bi-annual visit to the dentist as “me time.” 

You know you’re stretched too thin when you consider a dental cleaning a break from your everyday life.

Taking time out of my life to visit the doctor for my annual physical or make it to my teeth cleaning appointment absolutely does not fall under the category of “self care.” There is a big difference between self care and health care, and boy am I glad to have learned the difference.

So, if we know what category dental visits and doctor exams fall under? This begs the question – what exactly is self care? And why do we need it?

Self care, by definition, includes any intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental, and emotional health. These are voluntary actions, not fueled by the need for medical care, that help to put your mind, body, and emotions at ease for brief periods of time. Dr. Gena, chiropractor and a perfect example of what it means to take care of oneself, once asked me what I engage in as part of my self care regimen. I imagine she asked me this as a way to prompt me to develop said regimen, since it was clear from my hectic schedule as a working mom, that I severely neglected my needs.  

This was exactly when I began using Dr. Gena as an example for how to really indulge in myself and the things my body craved. And to keep up, or even come close, I had to set out on my own personal mission of self care – regardless of my tightly packed schedule and toddler attached to my hip. Because, have you ever asked Dr. Gena what she is doing when she’s not busy being one of the best chiropractors in South Florida? You guessed it, she’s investing a lot of time and effort into taking care of her mind, body, and spirit, whether through spa sessions, grueling workouts with her personal trainer, or regularly enjoying time with friends to clear her mind. And those are big shoes to fill!

Here are the three exact steps I took to developing my own self care regimen, one that I can even fit into my own busy lifestyle!

1. Exercise

While I’d love a dose of Dr. Gena’s energy to power me through hour-long gym sessions, I started slow, and I advise you do so as well! Each day, somewhere between lunch and the daily 4pm slump, I power down my laptop, grab my headphones, and head to the gym for a brisk cardio session. Not only does this help me stay in shape, it helps to clear my mind and put a little pep in my step for the rest of my day. I’ve even found that on the days I exercise, I can almost always forego my afternoon shot of espresso. How’s that for self care?!

2. Indulge

Not in cupcakes. But if you do, we won’t judge. I began indulging in what my mental being craved most. For me, it was time where my body and mind could relax at the same time, doing something that left me refreshed and rejuvenated. My go-to indulgence is getting a massage of any kind, and while I can’t invest in this too often, I feel grateful that Dr. Gena Chiropractic now offers massages so I can take care of myself following a chiropractic adjustment. For my husband, it’s uninterrupted time to catch up on his favorite shows. For Dr. Gena, it’s a foot reflexology. Whatever it is, make sure to indulge in what makes you feel the best and most refreshed, as consistently as possible.

3. Laugh in good company.

Have you ever seen the racehorses that wear blinders to keep them focused? That is sometimes how I liken my focus on busy days with multiple project deadlines. When I’m really in the zone, I forget to step out of it, breathe, and enjoy time with friends or family as a means to relax. I now make it a habit to schedule at least one get-together per week with a good group of friends or family to get my happy on. Laughter is always the best medicine, and powerful form of self care.

Now if you’re wondering why I left my three weekly visits to Dr. Gena Chiropractic off this list, it’s because chiropractic care really falls into both the self care and health care categories. My visits to Dr. Gena for adjustments are entirely voluntary, proactive, and as a means to keep me feeling good – with no medical issues present. Yet while I’m keeping my body in alignment, I’m also ensuring my health stays in tip top shape. Chiropractic care FTW!

To cross both self care and health care off of your to-do list at one time, make sure to visit Dr. Gena Chiropractic in Plantation, Florida, just west of Fort Lauderdale, to keep yourself feeling great.

Remember, your health is in your hands, but Dr. Gena’s hands are here to help!