Working out as Self Care

I used to think of selfcare as massages, pedicures, baths, and other enjoyable activities that make me happy. Recently my thoughts have shifted about what selfcare really is. I am not saying those baths with candles and bath bombs aren’t a part of selfcare, but there is more to it.

Self care is supposed to help your body grow and improve; it may not be an activity you enjoy at the moment but it is what your body needs to thrive. Working out is that activity for me. I have struggled with getting back into the habit of working out. I knew it would require dedication and work to make it happen. I was listening to my girl Rachel Hollis and she started talking about how we need to see working out as selfcare. At first I was like she is cray… working out is nothing like getting my nails done!

Then I began to really think about what selfcare means. It is any activity that we deliberately do in order to take care of ourselves and that means our whole self: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That means working out of any kind, including running, hiking, crossfit, walking, yoga, playing with your kids etc., whatever your choice of movement IS selfcare. We care enough about ourselves to make our nails look pretty and soak in baths with sparkly, fizzing water yet so many of us don’t care enough or see the importance of working out. Most of us dread working out. We don’t look forward to and try to avoid it at all costs. But what if we stopped dreading and started looking at it like a massage? What if we begin to look forward to it?

I know it may at times not be pleasant to get a good worout in, but in the end it is better for our bodies than having pretty nails. We are taking care of ourselves long term. Plus, after working out you feel amazing and can conquer the world (its all those endorphins going wild)! 🙂