Great topic! :)
Taking care of myself didn't use to come naturally so I had to learn this skill!! But now that I have it, I quite enjoy taking care of myself, it feels right.
I used to associate 'rest' and 'pampering' with retreating, staying at home, eating junk and not seeing anyone. It took me a long while to realise that taking care of my self is not evasion, all the contrary. Is avoiding the destructive behaviours, as 'comfortable' as they feel, and replacing them with new, positive, wholesome behaviours.
So these days taking care of myself means the following:
- eating healthy
- sleeping enough (but not oversleeping)
- waking up on time and arriving to work on time
- bringing a healthy lunch with me
- challenging my procrastination habit at work
- calling a loved one if I am feeling lonely
- exercising even if I don't feel like it!
- mantain my house clean and tidy
- seeing the doctor if needed (I used to procrastinate this quite bit)
- taking care of my errands, bills, paperwork, etc.
- doing my program homework and coming to this forum :)
And now, my favourite part... pampering msyelf!!:
- getting a nice, long, relaxing bath :)
- watching a nice movie and ordering in my favourite sushi!
- going shopping or dining with a friend
- getting a manicure or a pedicure
- chocolate!!!!!!!!