Want to know when my favorite time of day is these days?

It is right after my husband leaves to take the girls to school.

Our son is still in bed, the dogs are still groggy, and the house is blissfully silent.

I sit on the couch, sometimes with my computer, sometimes without, and listen to the silence. Revel in it, almost.

I love this silent portion of my day because it allows me to slowly wake up and greet the day. I do not function as well on days when I am rushed out of bed and into life. I need to be able to take it slowly. Sure, I am capable of diving right in if necessary. I simply prefer not to do so.

In a moment, I will be closing my computer and turning on my Wii to do my morning Yoga. And then I intend on heating up some delicious leftover breakfast casserole which I will enjoy a la today’s challenge. (And perhaps I will do the same later with some Triple Chocolate Ice cream!)

What will YOU be enjoying today?

Back for the 21 day self-care challenge? Aren’t you proud! Like most women, you’re an expert multi-tasker, priding yourself on answering the phone, stirring the stew, juggling the baby, writing a check all at once. A toy-strewn den and sticky kitchen counters after dad’s home with two kids all day chronicles his ability to multitask. Don’t want to go there! While multi-tasking seems commendable, many of us cram too much into too little time. I sa … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

Yoga.

It’s intimidating and scary for some. It was for me.

But then we got a Wii and I suddenly was doing this in the privacy of my own home. I LOVED it. And I turned out to be much more flexible than I thought. My aches and pains faded, my need for coffee faded (as I was doing it right after rolling out of bed in the morning), and my body grew stronger and stronger the more I practiced my yoga. On days I did my yoga, just as with sleep, I was happier, peppier, stronger, and much less short-tempered with those around me.

Yoga, in a word, is miraculous.

I strongly recommend it for anyone needing to take some time for themselves.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with the crocodile pose.

(Please tweet my hubs, @daddysdown if I don’t tweet in about 15 minutes to let him know I’ve fallen asleep in the nursery, will you? Thanks so very much!)

A pat on the back for continuing this 21 day self-care challenge! The mind-body benefits of yoga are legendary, and documented with scientific research. Regular yoga practice helps handle the stress hormones: cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Yoga decreases blood glucose levels, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and boosts immune function. Frequent yoga workouts produce more GABA, a brain chemical that reduces anxiety and depression. … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

I was born and raised in New Jersey. In the town I grew up in often had luxury vehicles from Lotus, Ferrari, Maserati, and Porsche cruising the streets. We had a Datsun, a Dodge, and eventually a Toyota Landcruiser and Toyota Pick-up truck.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school for being poor. But the thing was – we weren’t really. Financially things were tight but if we struggled, I did not know it. I was loved, cared for, had food, clothes, books, and did not feel I was deprived of anything (Thanks mom & dad!)

When we moved after I finished the 6th grade to Virginia, I saw it as an opportunity to start over. So I did. Then there was college. And now I have been through hell and managed to make it all the way back.

My self-esteem has been all over the place throughout my life. To be honest, when I first saw this challenge, I cringed. I have a very hard time pointing out good things about myself. I suck at accepting compliments yet to a certain extent I crave them as a means to verifying that yes, I am worth it and yes, I do know what the hell I am doing. A lot of my daily self-talk is just that – I am worth it and yes, I DO know what I am doing.

This challenge wants us to list 5 of our strengths on a piece of paper and keep it with us. Review it daily.

I’m taking it a step further and splashing mine out there for the whole world to see.

1) I can take the worst circumstance in the world and make almost anyone laugh about it.

2) I am an excellent writer.

3) I am rocking this Motherhood gig.

4) I make a great listener.

5) I am very compassionate.

What are your strengths? Go, write them down. Be proud of them. They’re YOU!

Half way through the 21 day self-care challenge! Few things in life are more important than valuing ourselves. Yet numerous barriers exist in your head, depending on messages you heard as a child, to affirming your self-worth. Maybe focusing on your strengths feels too self-centered. Brain chatter chastises you to: “be humble. Nice girls don’t brag. Don’t be full of yourself. “ Psychologists concur that a healthy dose of self-esteem or self-value … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010