Self Care Sunday - Read A Book

This week for self care we are picking up a book. I finished reading "The Gifts Of Imperfection" by Brene Brown this week and it was fabulous. I highly recommend this book. 

I'm horrible for starting books and then stopping part way through and then I have 5 books going at one time. So this week I was determined to finish my book. Instead of watching t.v after the kids went to bed I opened my book and was finished in no time!

So this week, let's find that book we've been wanting to read. That book you've had on your list or that you've even already bought and it's sitting in a corner waiting for you to pick it up again. 

The thing about self care is that we actually have to set time aside to do it. When we say things like "I'll try to make some time" or "I'll get to it this week for sure". We are not actually setting aside that time. Which I am the master with when it comes to reading. I start a book and then say I'll pick it up my next down time....... You are laughing at me aren't you?

Sooooooo pick at least one day. After kids are sleeping or whatever and tell yourself you will not do dishes or turn on the t.v or whatever else you have on your 101 things to do list. (Tip: they will still all be there after anyways). Set a timer if you are really that worried.

Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy your book. Read the pages, feel the sensation of the paper or kikndle screen in your hands and get lost in the words of fantasy/inspiration/knowledge.

Tell me what book you are reading/plan to read!

Love

Jen, The Bithin' Housewife

Self Care Sunday - Walk It Off

Welcome back. I hope you have had a good week and were able to take a bit of time away from social media from last week's "Going Dark" post. 

This week, let's go for a walk. A simple and free self love and self care experience. 

Some of the benefits are:

• Being outside (in nature even better) is calming.
• It's a great gentle way to get a bit of exercise, releasing some of those happy endorphins. 
• It's a great way to reconnect with yourself and your thoughts.

This walk is about you taking time for yourself. So maybe the kids can stay home, the dog can be walked by someone else or earlier (you don't need to think about picking up poop) and leave the earbuds and heart rate monitor at home. 

It's not about burning calories or counting steps for the day. It's about you taking some time for yourself. 

I myself admit I multitask waaaaaaaay to much. "well if I'm going for a walk, I might as well take the dog, or my podcasts" or whatever else it is we are trying to do at the same time as we relax. Which in reality is defeating the purpose. 

So try this on your walk:

• Listen for the sounds in the area. Maybe you've never noticed just how quiet your neighbourhood actually is? Or that the family of chickadees lived in those trees?
• Explore a pathway you don't usually travel. Maybe there is some hidden gem view on the other side of this road?
• Feel the air on your skin. The fall air is crispy cool, yet something about it seems calmingly satisfying maybe?
• Feel you body relax as you walk. Do your stressful shoulders maybe actually soften and relax away from the ears, bringing on a sense of relaxation?

Sometime the simple pleasures in life are so satisfying but also very difficult to come to in our busy lives. 

Love, 

Jen the Bitchin' Housewife

Self Care Sunday Get A Massage

Massages are beneficial in so many ways. They can be therapeutic for the body and mind. You can get relaxation massages, just to give yourself a treat or massage treatments more to target specific pain or ailments. 

In therapeutic massage you are working on the connective tissue in the body through myofascial release. Connective tissue is the "interweb" in the body that supports, connect and also separates the different tissues and organs in the body. 

I spoke with Chelsey Oryniak from Pure Wellness Studio about getting massages and a few questions many people have. 

How often should I get a massage?

Every client will need something different. If working through an injury, more treatments may be needed but an overall suggestion for maintenance is once a month.

Why am I told to drink water afterwards?

Massages increase circulation and your kidneys have to work harder to flush the toxins out of the body. We need to drink extra water to prevent dehydration.

How much water should I drink?

Increase you daily intake. There is no specific amount and it widely based off individuals water consumption habits. If you drink 1 glass of water a day, adding another glass or two. If you drink 8 glasses, maybe add 2-4 glasses. 

Can I exercise before or after my massage?

Before is best. Once you exercise you are starting to tighten the muscles once more undoing the wok done from the massage. It's recommended to wait 24 hours before exercising, unless getting a sports massage.

What is a sports massage?

Sports massage is a more invigorating type massage, used to promote stimulation of the muscle. 

I've heard and seen about cupping. What is that?

Cupping is used to promote circulation, break up scar tissue and work in the fascia of the body. 

I recently myself had sliding cupping done and the difference it made in the mobility in my bad shoulder was amazing after just one treatment!

Many benefit plans cover massages up to $500 per year. Make sure you check into your own plan!

That said if they are not covered or currently do not have benefits, no fret, you can still do some massage at home. Here are some tips for home massage:

• Use an oil, preferably something like coconut oil if you can. I find coconut oil doesn't feel greasy afterwards, absorbs into the skin quickly and has a cooling effect on sore muscles. 
• Maybe have a relaxing bath before hand. Check out my Self Care Sunday A simple Bath post for some tips.
• Spend some time massaging the feet especially and working up the legs. 
• Ask your partner or spouse for help with the spots you cant reach! Return the favour and everyone is happy!

Tell me some of your favorite self massage tips!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Self Care Sunday - Acupuncture

This week for Self Care Sunday we are talking about acupuncture. A little while back Andrea Wingrave from Acupuncture Edmonton and I put together THIS post, all about acupuncture and what it is.  I thought what a wonderful self care idea. Getting some acupuncture. 

Luckily most benefits cover acupuncture these days up to $500 or $1000 so in reality you aren't out anything if it isn't your thing. But really, it's going to be. 

The needles are sterile one time use needles. I know this is something people have expressed concerned about when I tell them about acupuncture. I was also worried I wouldn't be able to donate blood anymore, but turns out if they are sterile singe use then you still can. (Bonus!)

At first it seems a little intimidating thinking about the needles going in and/or staying in. But really after they go in and some minor adjusting to your comfort, you don't even feel them.

But here is the best part people..... you get a 30 minute nap. Yeah, the needles go in, adjust as needed and then you get 30 minutes all to yourself to relax on a soft comfy bed and have a heat lamp on your feet. Oh that glorious heat lamp. I need one for home. 

Now whether or not you are sure if you "believe" in acupuncture working or not, the relaxing time spent in the room and you taking time for yourself is a huge step toward tapping into that parasympathetic (rest and digestion) cycle of the body. This is truly self care. Calming down, unwinding and finding time for yourself. 

Oh and before I forget.... you get a head massage at the end.... *drooooool*

So a few tips for heading to the acupuncturist. 

• Maybe find a referral from a friend. I love friends that tell me about professionals they love and why, that way I sort of know what to expect. 
• Wear loose fitting clothing. That way pant legs can be rolled up if access is needed to the knees etc. 
• They will have music but honestly I think this relaxation time would pair perfectly with a mediation podcast or yoga nidra recording on youtube. 
• Turn off your phone. Not on vibrate, You don't want to hear buzzing and crap as you are trying to relax. 
• I highly recommend booking an appointment in the evening so you can go to sleep after!

Have you ever seen an acupuncturist? Whats your favourite part?

Love, 

Jen the Bitchin' Housewife