Self-care is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days. We can’t go far without seeing something about it on social media, magazines, or television. Is it a new concept? No, the truth is, it has been around for a long time. It’s part of being human and it should have come with our owner’s manual. You know, the one we all got when we were born, right? So, if we all know about it, why is there confusion about what it really is and how we can apply it for ourselves? In last month’s article, I shared a few different self-care practices that are as diverse as the cultures they came from. Self-care is self-love and it means to take good care of yourself – mind, body, and spirit.

Again, it is unique to each person and there is no right or wrong answer, as long as you are caring for yourself and not causing harm.

So, let’s dig in and start by taking a quick self-care quiz to see where you are and where you might need a little attention this month.

Read the questions below and answer honestly using the one to four scoring method to see where you are right now. Score one for “Yes.”, two for “Most of the time”, three for “Not often enough”, and four for “Not at all”.

MIND

Are you practicing gratitude? ____

Do you make time to be still and quiet your mind each day? (meditation or prayer) ____

Do you add learning something new to each day? ____

Can you hear your own voice? ____

Do you plan time each week to work on your business? ____

Are you connected to a source of inspiration that is bigger than you? ____

Mind Score: ____ (add all the above numbers for total score)

BODY

Do you get seven to eight hours a sleep a night? ____

Are you drinking at least eight glasses of water a day? ____

Do you find time to exercise each day? ____

Are you making good food choices for you, your lifestyle, and goals? ____

Do you practice good skin care and see an aesthetician each month? ____

Do you have monthly massages, acupuncture, or other types of integrative care? ____

Body Score: ____

SPIRIT

Do you make time to be still each day? (meditation or prayer) ____

Do you notice the needs of others and help if needed? ____

Are you nonjudgmental to yourself? ____

Do you include a higher power or energy into your life and decisions? ____

Do you make time to play each day? ____

Do you make personal and business decisions based on “Heck yes! or is it a no!”? ____

Spirit Score: ____

Whichever category had the highest score should be your first focus area of self-care. Here are some fun ideas for each category.

FOR MIND

Be still for five minutes a day without any distractions. Practice meditating (meaning no noise, clear your mind, and just “be” for a few minutes). We are human “beings”, not human “doers,” so be gentle with yourself – it takes time. As you get better, you will enjoy the benefits throughout your life.

Pick something you always wanted to know more about and learn it. Put it on your schedule or it won’t happen. And, being true to the spirit of self-care, don’t let anything take that time away – be true to you.

Consider a mastermind group or coaching, so that you can learn better ways to work on your business.

FOR BODY

Pick an activity that you love and schedule time to do it each day. It could be going for a walk with your dog, jog, working out at the gym, et cetera.

Make an appointment with a naturopathic physician to find out what your body needs for nutrition and supplements.

Work with a personal trainer to get on the road with safe, fun exercises.

FOR SPIRIT

Plan a play date with a friend or loved one. Listen and enjoy each other without cell phones or distractions.

Start a gratitude journal and end each day by reviewing it.

Connect with a local non-profit that speaks to your heart and collaborate with them for an event. This will open your spirit to more abundance, joy, and love.

More coming next month, so stay tuned. And, we’d love to hear how you implemented self-care into your life and the results because of it.

Becky Kuehn is founder of Oncology Spa Solutions, author of Life Changing Esthetics, and a licensed master aesthetician, cosmetologist, holistic cancer educator, and hope coach. Her journey started at the age of 18 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She had already lost friends and family members to cancer, so she was very familiar with the chaos and trauma associated with diagnosis and loss. As a cancer survivor for over three decades, she has made it her mission to discover and develop ways to turn around the devastating side-effects of cancer treatments and return quality of life to those in need. Kuehn is the founder and owner of Oncology Spa Solutions®, now the leading oncology training for spa, salon, and medical professionals. She is the author of “Life Changing Esthetics,” and a contributing author in the “Estheticians Guide to Outstanding Esthetics” Vol I and II. She has been part of the expert judge panel for The Skin Games’ Holistic, Compassionate, and Compromised skin categories. And, she provides advice and education articles for newspapers and industry leading magazines and is an invited speaker for oncology training at conventions.