Self-care is any activity that can be passive or active that fosters relaxation and rejuvenation of one's whole being.
The image above was shared by my mother through FB messenger. Unfortunately, I could not give proper credit to whoever created this wonderful poster as I could not find one when I did a reverse image search. To the person behind this, my thanks.
Here are the self-care tips that the characters from the varied Pixar movies give us.
Live every moment. Every moment counts while we are still alive. Some prefer to dwell in the past and could either wallow in painful ones or excessively nostalgic of happy memories unable to create new ones. Some are excited or anxious to live in the future. It is vital to recognize the here and now and cherish what is.
Cook something yummy. Food nourishes the body. The act of cooking something from scratch is also something that gives joy to yourself and to others. Food also provides the opportunity to commune and talk.
Sing a song. Music heals the soul as a song goes. Songs give lyrics and melody to the thoughts and feelings that one has. They make us relax, inspired, joyful, or just awaken sleeping emotions that we hold dear.
Talk to a friend. Would not it be wonderful to just have someone listen without judgment to the many things that have happened in your life? That someone is not a stranger but a friend especially when that friend throws a banter or two and you end up laughing at the silly ones.
Find joy in the small things. A smile, a kind gesture, a cone of ice cream... Such plain things when you begin to appreciate will mean a lot.
Dance. Dance like no one is watching is a common adage for this self-care tip. When you dance, you meliorate your cardiovascular health, balance, strength, boosts cognitive performance, challenge your brain, boost mood, can be a social activity, and can be inclusive. (Lindberg, 2019)
Go for a run. Runners always attest that this activity gives a physical and morale boost. One would start with 1 km then crave for another kilometer, and more. It makes your heart beat faster and releases hormones that help in your overall health.
Take a drive. Suffice to say this tip gets its nickname as joy-riding. It is when you just jump into the car and drive aimlessly for a bit of scenery or grab a pizza at a nearby city. This takes out some of the mundane environment you have been in for too long.
Write in your dream journal. My mother used to say that when you plan, half of the work is done. Well, there may be some truth in this. Writing your dreams in a journal or daydream journal allows your mind to recall and activate your creative side, too.
Read a book. The smell and touch of book experts say help you remember what you have just read. The printed matter uses all your senses aside from your sense of sight. Of course, there is the advent of e-books but nothing compares to the experience of actual books.
Meditate. This may be the most low maintenance self-care tip because you do not need anything fancy. You can just find a quiet corner or nook and just sit and close your eyes. Be aware of your breathing and just think of happy thoughts to increase mindfulness. There is also some guided meditation that you can listen to as well.
All these Pixar-inspired self-care tips are now for you to try. What is your favorite?
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