Five Simple Self-Care Tips You Can Do Today That Will Make for a Fab February

Though one of the shortest months, February can be a real challenge. Let’s look at five ways to make it a bit smoother and more Fab!

The holidays are long gone, the bills are still pouring in, and the weather can still suck. Those are things you can’t control, but here are five simple self-care tips that will make your February oh, so much better.

Choose one or two of the tips if they’re too overwhelming. You’re in charge of your Fabulous February so do what works for you.

It does help to remember that February is a short month and there is an end in sight to winter.

Consider this lovely thought by Terri Guillemets.

February is the border between winter and spring”

Terri Guillemets

While you glide into a fabulous month of self care, I still want you to keep in mind the things you learned about in Gentle January.

The need to treat yourself with kindness and take that break when required. Those thoughts are still in play and still need to be embraced. Go back and read Gentle January and let it lead you into your own Fabulous February.

What does self-care look like for you?

If I was to define self-care, I’d say that it’s taking the time focus on yourself, your physical well-being, and your mental health. This looks different for everyone.

One individual may suffer from social anxiety while another may have an addiction of some type. You are the only one who can determine what self-care is best for you, and how to apply the tools to remedy any issue.

Social anxiety? Read THIS.

What do you choose for your path toward self-care? Think of self-care as:

• Limiting stress
• Reducing stress
• Being honest with self
• Having an aim toward contentment
• Being mindful of your own feelings
• Kicking the negativity to the curb
• Embracing your flaws
• Changing up a thing or two for your health
• Admitting you have issues or problems
• Recognizing when you need help and seeking it out
• Taking a break
• Being gentle with yourself
• Feeling good about yourself and your life
• Choosing wellness over destructiveness
• Putting yourself first
• Shutting out all the noise that clutters your thoughts
• Making decisions that bring well-being to you
• Empowering yourself
• ?? what would you put here ??

Tip One

Choose One Thing to “Go Free Of…” for the Entire Month of February.

This is the shortest month of the year. What could you avoid or do without for a full month? This may be to prove to yourself that you can do it because you have fears of addiction, or it may be a challenge you want to take on for your health.

It’s not about doing without, it’s about focusing on what you can control and want to change. Taking back the power, so to speak.

Try and set yourself up for success. Remember that it’s only 28 sleeps–not 30 or 31! and You DO have the strength within you to take your own power back. This is about you.

• Alcohol? There are many who chose to go alcohol free for the month of February for a couple of reasons. First: February is the shortest month of the year, so why not? and Second: After the holiday season and the beginning of the year, alcohol use can increase. Prove to yourself that you can do a full month without alcohol. You may be stronger for it and will probably feel a lot better too.
• Chips? Cookies? Same idea as alcohol. It’s a short month. Have a cookie on March 1st. Just do it for one tiny month.
• Smoking? Vaping?
• Maybe an entire month without weed?
• How about online shopping?
• Eating out? Make all your own meals for the whole month. No take out or ordering in. What do you think?
• Sugar? Could you give up all things sugar for the month of February? It’s everywhere. This one may take some work. Hmmm….
• How about sleeping in? Could you get up earlier every day through February? Maybe get extra time for coffee or meditation?
• Hey, how about no electronics in the bedroom? No phone. No iPad. No TV? And no that doesn’t mean you sleep on the couch. lol.
• How about giving up those expensive coffees for a month?
• Social Media? Do you think you could step back for an entire month? It could really benefit your mental health for sure.
• What? Is there something that you feel impinges on your mental or physical well-bing? Define it. Take a February break from it. Take back the control. You can do it.
• ?? What could you take a break from for the entire month of February??

Tip Two

Carve Out a Chunk of Time for Yourself

Whether you need a break from work, your family (yes, taking a break from your partner or kids is sometimes necessary), the house, the dog…or whatever… having a chunk of time to yourself is important in your self-care.

You don’t want to overload yourself with a bunch of stuff you think you have to do. It’s just as important to take the time to do absolutely nothing.

Down time is important for your mental and physical health. If you find yourself constantly on the go or always making plans or notes for the next thing, you need a break.

During this Fabulous February of Self-Care, schedule a break at least once a week. Yes, once a week. More if you can, but don’t put the pressure on to find those times because you want to be able to savor it, and not get all stressed and wigged out about it.

Just do what you can.

Maybe it’s a whole day once a week, maybe an afternoon, or even an hour. Carve out that time and do it for you.

This will look different for everyone. Here are some ideas:

• Curl up with a book
• Take a walk
• Soak in the tub
• Write in your journal
• Stroll through the mall alone
• Get a babysitter and take a break
• Make soup from scratch
• Stretch those overworked muscles–especially the shoulders and back
• Watch your fave movie
• Nap
• Do a face mask
• Do a craft
• Go to a thrift store
• ?? What could you do??

Tip Three

Start Forward Thinking as You Set a Goal for the Spring

This nasty winter weather doesn’t last forever. I know it doesn’t feel like that when it’s cold and dreary out, but it will come to an end.

Project your thoughts and goals forward to the Spring.

What does Spring mean to you?

• Better weather?
• More sunlight?
• Rebirth?
• Easter?
• Sitting outside?
• Flowers?
• ?? What does spring mean to you??

What do you want to do this Spring?

Think about it. Make a goal. Remember goals have timelines. Maybe you want to plant 50 bulbs by March 15th? and then another 50 by April 1st?

It doesn’t matter what the goal is, so long as it’s something you’ll stick to and accomplish.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s more about thinking and projecting forward. It’s always good to have something to look forward to. Learn how to set goals HERE.

Tip Four

February Affirmations

A very important part of self-care is your mental well-being.

If you’re like most people, you’re very hard on yourself, and that needs to stop.

Listen to your own self-talk and be aware of the negativity that courses through your brain. This is so destructive as it keeps you from living your best life.

How?

Well, if you’re constantly putting yourself down, you come to believe that crap. How unhealthy is that? If you’re calling yourself a loser, stupid, unworthy, not good enough, or any number of negative self-talk loops, you may not even be aware of it.

Go read the previous paragraph again.

Awareness is key. It is the key that can help you become your own best cheerleader and accept your personal attributes, and whole person, as a positive gift to the world.

Take all that negativity and begin to switch up by changing the language you use to describe yourself and the message you’re sending.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

Here are some affirmations I wrote that you can copy and tape up all over the house.

1. I am amazing. Always have been and will be tomorrow too!
2. I can do anything I choose to do.
3. I am a kind and loving person.
4. I am unique and that is my super-power.
5. I have limitless power within me to take on any issue and win
6. The universe and all it has to offer is at my finger tips
7. Damn, I look fine and always did
8. I deserve to be treated with respect and dignity always
9. I have all the tools to build my own tower of power
10. As I start this day I acknowledge that it’s another new chance at beginning
11. For more check out my post HERE
12. ?? What affirmation would you add ??

One book I’d recommend is Mel Robbins The High 5 Habit. It’s a fabulous read with exercises in positive affirmations for self-care.

Tip Five

Mindfulness B.I.N.G.O.

Self-care is always a personal choice.

Maybe tips 1-4 don’t suit you and you want to do something different. Then use this Mindfulness BINGO to lead you. Either print this off or make your own.

You can work towards do a line, all the outer frame, or an X, all around the FREE, or perhaps a full card blackout. You choose.

For your Fabulous February of self-care, choose what works for you.

Check it off (it always feels great to check something off, doesn’t it?) and keep going. Have fun with it.

You can even do one up for the kids and/or partner to get them involved in their own self-care awareness for a Fabulous February.

Tell me which one…

Leave a comment below right now and let me know which tip resonates with you the most. Which are you going to implement for your own self-care Fab Feb?

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