What to Include in Your Self-Care Recipe?

Yay, fall is HERE!!! Okay, so I know it actually started a couple of weeks ago, but the drop in temperature this week has made it more apparent to me that it’s really here and I LOVE it. Welcome warm drinks, yummy soups, cute clothes and shoes. Ahhh!! {selah} I'm a little late because on the actual first day of fall, I was relaxing on a beach on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I left behind the chaos, packed a carry-on, and boarded a plane to what was paradise for me for one week. As I got my first ever, full body massage on the beautiful Island of Bermuda, I thought to myself, “what a great way to transition into a new season.”

As women, we sometimes find ourselves so busy that we can hardly recognize the change in seasons, well, maybe until the actual temperature changes (like I did). All my life I’ve seen strong women work work, dutifully going and going, pouring out and pouring out; all the while, their bodies, minds, and emotions are left begging for some sweet TLC. This is why I went on a vacation! I was being stretched thin and trying to keep it all together. I desperately needed to "self-care it up," (as my work bestie, Brittany Farmer, says it) for a week and this fall, I want you to do the same!

Self- care helps to restore balance to our lives; providing what gets depleted when we pour into our personal and professional lives, ministry, relationships, and everything else life tends to throw our way. So as you go hard this fall, being the amazingly beautiful, confident, boss of a women you are, be sure to add these ingredients to your lifestyle:

Rest: Recharge by giving your body between 6-9 hours of rest each night. Sleep helps to restore and rebuild both the body and the mind. It’s required to operate at peak performance.

Warm Drinks: Hot drinks help us to relax so put on your warm comfy clothes and socks and enjoy a warm drink while sitting on your comfy couch. (sounds amazing to me just writing it)

Fall Produce: Be sure to incorporate some of the seasonal produce into your diet. Butternut and acorn squash, cabbage, pumpkin, cranberries, sweet potatoes, pears, etc.I made stuffed acorn squash and it was delicious. Although the photo was taken in bad lighting, I have decided to share it (pictured right).

Laughter: Laugh out loud a lot as often as you can. Laughter decreases stress hormones and provides a boost to our immune cells, which in turn helps to improve our resistance to disease.

Quiet time and reflection: Take advantage of the cooler weather and earlier nights. Map out some time to get quiet, listen to God, reflect, and receive direction, healing, peace, and refreshment for whatever comes your way each day.

Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday.You will feel more awake and more energized throughout the day.

Fun with friends: Make time to do what you love with those you love. Cultivate work-life balance. Let your hair down (or release the fro lol). You (your mind, body, and emotions) thrive when you engage in leisure activities you love!

Hearty soups: Soups are easy, delicious, and are a great way to include the encouraged 5-9 servings of fruit and veggies in your diet.

Pampering: As the weather changes, be sure to keep your skin and hair moisturized. For my Naturalistas, take advantage of protective styling. For your body, combine some sugar and lavender essential oil to create a relaxing foot or body scrub. Schedule a message.

Family: We pick our friends, but we inherit your family. Make the most of the time you have with those you love. Give love this season. There may be a family member you haven't talked to in a while that may be interested in hearing your voice or seeing your face. Take a trip or pick up the phone.

Gratitude: Taking the time to notice what you are thankful for can have a great impact on positive emotion, outlook on life, and how you engage with the world around you. May I challenge you? Awesome! I challenge you to write one thing you're thankful for in your notes app. or journal every morning for the rest of the year. No repeats :)

My hope in writing this is that you will be reminded to love yourself enough to care for yourself. If you found this blog encouraging, feel free to share Cultivating Kerri's self-care image on your social media to help remind other women to make self-care a priority this fall.