I Feel Like A Million Bucks! By: Lisa Cartwright
Million Dollar Feeling
When you step out of a shower that is life giving, sigh with relief, and your soul sings, you can only think "I feel like a million bucks". When is the last time you said that or the sister phrase: “where have you been all my life?”. A phrase usually used when we feel extremely fantastic physically, refreshed, rejuvenated, or energized. That amazing shower after a long run, the long-awaited massage after arranging for a babysitter, or the best cup of coffee you've had in a long time at that cute cafe in town. This is self care at it's finest. So, why do we put off taking care of ourselves and getting that million-dollar feeling when it seems so easy to do?
Full Plate
We are busy. That seems to always be our go-to excuse. Work schedules, school schedules, sport schedules...we have a schedule for everything. Everything except for taking regular time to care for ourselves. Our society has programmed us to load as much to-do's and activity onto our already overflowing plates. There is a sense of guilt when we want to add something for our benefit to that overflowing plate. It's not all dull stuff- there's lots on my plate that I enjoy- but it leaves little room to slow down, breathe, and focus on physical needs and mental well-being. Mental health is getting a lot of attention lately and for good reason.
Our mental strength can carry us through some tough times. As important as that is, there is much to be said about our physical well-being as well. Not just our basic health, mind you; we take our supplements for better skin and nails, we eat a healthy diet (most of the time), drink in moderation (or we intend to!), but I'm talking about our physical bodies. Do we exercise to the point of exhaustion, soreness, even injury? What about the kind of movement that our body enjoys? There may be a place for both, yet, we seem to overlook the later.
You Need TLC
What is stopping us from getting to that place where we sigh "I feel like a million bucks"? Can you even describe what it takes to feel so great? Is it day three of that green smoothie cleanse when you feel like a well-oiled machine? Or maybe it's the much-needed time at the spa being away from the kids and having someone take care of you for a change? Maybe it is simply finding a quiet space and spending time with a good book and cup of tea. Whatever it is that rejuvenates your body can add to your mental well-being and help us deal with stress in life. All it takes is some awareness. Take a moment to ensure your shower is amazing, maybe that means taking 10 minutes longer to condition your locks and seal with a cool rinse. Take the time to pull out the porcelain teacup and saucer and enjoy the process of having tea. Book that massage that has been long overdue- your body needs some TLC.
Enjoy Your Surroundings
I spent the day at the beach the other day and since I live in the Midwest, by beach I mean the lakefront. But I had sand, sun, and an afternoon of sheer bliss as I disregarded the clock and allowed my body to sunbathe and soak up natural vitamin D. I felt like a million bucks when I left, and it was so simple. Someone near to me mentioned the act of forest bathing- taking in the forest through the senses, or being surrounded by nature, and I understood exactly what she meant and the kind of 'million dollar' feeling she came away with that day.
You don't need a million bucks to feel fantastic, and by taking care of our bodies in this therapeutic way, we can build up our mental strength and improve our overall well-being.