It may seem counter intuitive, but the return of school at the end of summer usually coincides with a return to self care. Summer months are so busy with sports, travel, and “relaxation”, that taking time to slow down and focus on you just doesn’t seem to happen. It's usually the return of the routine, and the cooling air that reminds us it's time to remember ourselves.
As we prepare for winter, many people think of cold and flu season. Though this may jump start some to begin preparing for the worst, the better thing we can do is prepare for the best.
When I think of self care, I think spa days, relaxing by the fire with a book, maybe treating myself to a matcha latte. But there is so much more to preparing for the best. When it comes to caring for others, ideas may come naturally- washing the dishes for your spouse, taking your kids to the park, calling your grandmother spur-of-the-moment, taking a gift basket to a friend who is going through a rough patch, the list goes on.
Preparing for the best means taking care of yourself (and others) in a way that can help to prevent "the worst". Starting in September, comfort foods come back in full swing. I always take this time to dish out as much nutrition as I can every day. Nourishing meals is probably one of my most favorite ways of staving off sickness. Fresh garden or foraged greens and produce, whole grains, mushrooms, bone and mineral broths, and sourdough breads are always found in my kitchen during the fall, winter, and spring months. My motto is "Eat the rainbow in every meal". Your plates should encompass as many colors as you can fit. Try making it a fun challenge with your family by coming up with a list of colors and the foods that match. Make sure to incorporate both raw and cooked veggies throughout your meal plan.
Mushrooms are full of dietary fiber- your microbiome absolutely LOVES mushrooms, and oysters are some that we can find even here in North Dakota. Here's a fun recipe for Oyster Mushroom Curry, adapted from "Wild Mushrooms" by Kristen and Trent Blizzard.
Ingredients:
3 TBS Peanut oil
1 1/2 tsp turmeric or curry powder
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
2 tsp minced garlic
2 cups chopped fresh oyster mushrooms, or 1 1/2 ounces dried
1 1/2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp fish sauce
pinch of salt, to taste
Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add turmeric and stir. Add shallots and saute until softened but not browned. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Raise heat and toss in mushrooms. Saute until they have given up their liquid. Add tomatoes and chilli powder and bring to a boil. Add fish sauce. Simmer until mushrooms are broken down for 5-10 minutes. Serve with rice and steamed vegetables.
Another way to care for yourself is the often guilt-inducing calling in sick. Sometimes, we need a day to reset our frayed nerves, to take a full day just to focus on ourselves, and that's okay. Unfortunately, our culture has ingrained in us a sense of "duty" to our jobs and corporations that we work for, rather than any sense of self-loyalty. The truth is, if we don't care for ourselves, we can't take care of others, and ultimately, can't even care for us. Taking time for yourself is absolutely imperative. Most days, that can mean even taking as little as five minutes to breathe alone in your bedroom. But some times, it may mean taking a whole day. And that's okay.
Some of my favorite quick self care items:
Taking an "everything" shower
Don't just shave your legs, take in that luxurious bath scrub you've been saving for a "special" occasion, scrub down those hard spots on your feet, and use that deep ten minute conditioner on your hair. Go all out! When you're done, use a high quality moisturizing skin oil all over your body. You'll feel like royalty when you're done!
Stay off social media (and emails) for the first hour after waking. Ten minutes is okay too, be nice to yourself and know your limits.
A quick morning or evening yoga stretching routine
Saying "no" when asked to do a favor for someone that I know will add too much to my already busy schedule.
Finding time to communicate.
Expressing my needs, desires, wants, and goals with my friends and family is a must. Not only does it help hold myself accountable, but I'll have the support of loved ones along the way.
Whatever self care may look like, take some time to figure out what exactly it means to you, and then take the time to do it!
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