Self Care Tips & Favs with Megan!

Hey everyone!

I hope you all had an amazing summer!

As things start to kick off with school, the new dance year(WHOOP WHOOP), and just the craziness of life, I wanted to share some of my favorite methods of self care.

What You are Putting in Your Body

Eat lots of plants!- Fueling your body with as many fruits, vegetables, and whole foods as possible helps make sure you are getting all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, and makes you feel so good!

Drink LOTS of water- I seriously notice such a huge difference in how I feel when I drink a lot of water versus when I am not getting enough. I have a good routine now though, and make sure to start my morning with a 32 oz. jar of water, either with lemon, chia seeds, or just regular good ol' water! By starting my day this way, I can help prevent dehydration, digestion problems, headaches, feeling lethargic, muscle cramps, and more.

Kombucha- Such a fun and delicious drink, and even cleanses your gut at the SAME time! As a probiotic, it is linked to improving gut health and strengthening the immune system. Even cooler: often, each flavor has a different purpose! My favorite place recently is IngenuiTea!

Types of "Me Time"

This should vary depending on the day, but taking at least 10 minutes a day just for you and what you need that day really makes a big difference.

Journaling- I process a lot of things through writing, so I journal pretty often! This can be anything, from goal/intention setting, to getting some feelings out, to lessons-learned, to mapping out a plan for a dance, blog post, project or really anything!

Definitely something that has become huge in my process of inner work!

Yoga- GREAT for self care, because it's two in one! It gets you moving, but also works your mind and spirit! It can be a great stress releaser and also builds your strength and flexibility in the process. Even just a little stretching is great!

Get moving!!! This comes in all forms! I try to change this up from dance, yoga, going to the gym, to improv. While they are great methods of exercise, I find that for me it is more about the feeling I get from getting my body moving and releasing some endorphins.

Natural Healing Methods

Essential oils- I LOVE essential oils! I have gotten into these more and more recently, and have been experimenting with different kinds and their different benefits. My favorites are definitely lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus! Here is a pretty interesting article about essential oils.

Baths Honestly I hate baths!! LOL, but I know they are good for me so this year, I am making it a goal for myself to take a bath at least once a week! -- Baths can be super helpful for allowing your body to rest, encouraging decreased soreness, and giving your body and mind a few minutes to chill.

***Ice baths are especially great for after an exhausting day to help with soreness! They are not fun, but they are something I definitely want to get more into the habit of because the results afterwards are so rewarding!

Foam Rolling I have come to really LOVE rolling out! My favorite is actually with a softball; it really does the trick, but if you want a less intense option, a tennis ball or foam roller works great. Rolling out helps release the build up of fascia. Sometimes it can feel very obvious that a certain area is tight, while other times, it is more subtle, so rolling out it SUPER important for encouraging longevity, recovery, and a healthy body, especially when you have a rigorous dance schedule!

Massages- Massages are so beneficial and I always leave feeling so much better. This year, I want to set a goal and plan for myself to get massages more often. Getting this layed out would be super beneficial as they are great for recovery and decreasing tightness (especially sports massages and deep tissue).

Finding Comfort

Hanging out with a pet- My favorite is dogs! I love when they are super cuddly and affectionate. Being able to hang with a dog makes me feel loved and safe.

Talk to a trusted friend or mentor- this is so helpful. While it can be super difficult to talk about certain things, talking through the most difficult stuff is when it is often the most beneficial.

Thanks for reading about some of my favorite ways to encourage a healthy lifestyle within myself! Please share if you have more ideas, and be on the lookout for some more fun things coming soon!