Show yourself some love with a REALISTIC self care routine!

Happy early Valentines Day! Today (and every day) self love and self care should be your priority. When energy levels are low and motivation is lacking, taking a few steps towards self care can help get you back on track to feeling more energised.

It can be difficult to stay energised when everyday life takes over. Trying to balance work, family, and self-care can be a challenge. But self care doesn't have to mean expensive spa treatments or lavish vacations - there are more realistic self care routines that can help you combat low energy and keep you going!

During the month of February (the month of love!) I want you to cherish yourself the way you cherish and love those closest to you. So here's a few self-care routines you can realistically fit into your day:

1. Get enough sleep!

Make sure to get seven to nine hours of quality rest each night. Not getting enough sleep can be a major contributor to low energy and fatigue. I finish teaching at the studio at 8.30pm and go straight home for a shower, my night time routine and bed by 9.30pm - this gives me eight and a half hours because I wake up at 6am.

My top sleep recommendations include avoiding screens (especially blue light) before bed, limiting caffeine intake late in the day (I'm down to one coffee per day and I set a rule that it has to be before 11am) and creating a calming bedtime routine.

My current bedtime routine includes self-massage with the MooGoo Magnesium Moisturiser (mainly on my legs), a few minutes of solid teeth cleaning (water flossing is my new favourite thing) and then I'll read a few pages of a current book or some recommended reading for the Diploma is Dance I'm currently studying.

I also recommend dabbing a touch of lavender essential oils on the inside of your wrist or nape of your neck - Lavender is instantly relaxing. And if all else fails, white noise (pink noise, brown noise etc) is very effective.

2. Eat nutritious meals that are high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates!

Skipping meals can lead to feeling tired and sluggish, so make sure you're eating throughout the day and fuelling your body with the right foods.

My morning routine has become so soothing. I love to start the day with a nutritious smoothie that contains psyllium husks for digestion, flaxseed oil for skin hydration and protein powder to get me going on my morning walk. I simply mix these ingredients with a banana and either frozen mango or blueberries with choice of milk (almond or soy).

For breakfast I have a solid routine of two options. The first option is overnight oats with lots of fresh fruit, a drizzle of maple syrup and some crunchy muesli sprinkled on top. I then make my coffee to-go.

My second option is toast (I've been craving all the carbs lately) with either avocado or almond butter. Sometimes I even do one piece with avocado and one piece with almond butter and jam. It's like a main meal and dessert!

I used to eat lunch at my desk, but lately I've found myself sitting in the kitchen and focussing on the meal in front of me. This act of presence is not only a beautiful moment of self care but also ensures I'm eating intuitively and listening to my body.

Preparing your meals and ensuring your fridge is stocked on Sunday for the week ahead is self care! I find it so therapeutic, reorganising my fridge on Sunday in preparation for the week ahead. Taking the time to organise delicious and healthy foods will give you more energy in the long run, make you feel productive and ensure you have one less thing to worry about.

3. Take regular breaks during the day!

Give yourself a few minutes every hour or two to get up, move around, and take in some fresh air. This will help keep your energy levels up and your mind focused.

This can mean taking five minutes to sit outside with a cup of herbal tea, going for a 10 minute walk around the block or going for a walk to grab a coffee - whatever works for you!

I am so fortunate to have a job where I'm forced to get up from my desk and move my body. After working solidly from 8.30-10am I'm then forced to get up and take the 10.30am morning adult classes. After some lunch I then sit at my desk from 12.30-3.30pm and then I'm back up for afternoon classes.

I actually don't know how I'd go without regular forced breaks, knowing me I'd probably just solidly work straight through the day. So I can understand how it could be difficult to break up your day with mental health moments. However I do know that if I'm feeling stressed or stuck on a problem, I feel so much better after teaching and moving my body.

4. Incorporate some form of self-care into your day whilst honouring the season you're in!

We're all in different seasons of life. I'm certainly about to step into a completely different season soon! But it's important to carve out moments (that might not be every day) but every week where you can check in with yourself, your thoughts and feelings.

For example, I would love to journal every day but it's simply not realistic. So this year I've committed to journalling every Sunday evening during my bath (a fabulous example of habit pairing) which is another act of self care I've committed to. After having dinner, I do the ironing whilst watching my favourite show, then I run a bath, light a candle and have a beautiful journal session in the bath.

It's so important to practice self-compassion and recognise that you're only human. It's important to recognise when you're feeling overwhelmed and give yourself permission to take some time for self-care.

Ask yourself, what season of life am I in right now? Am I in the 'just trying to stay alive' season? Am I in the self development season? Or am I in a busy but manageable season? You could be in a healing season...

Not matter what season of life you're in, it's important to line up your self care practices with reality so you don't feel worse about something else - like falling short on all the self care you had planned!

5. Buy a beautiful drink bottle!

I thought we should finish on a lighter note...

It's worth the money because a beautiful water bottle is going to encourage and inspire you to drink water and stay hydrated. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as dehydration is one the major causes of fatigue and low energy.

The kids at the studio are obsessed with Frank Green but I'm rather attached to my Yeti drink bottle. The little sippy straw makes me feel twelve years old but I love it.

By following a realistic self care routine, you can keep your energy levels up and stay focused throughout the day. Self care doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming-- it just takes a few simple steps every day to make sure you're taking care of yourself and combating low energy.

Making self-care a priority is essential for living a balanced, healthy life. So take the time to implement this realistic self care routine into your day and reap the rewards!

By making self-care a priority, you can stay energised and ready to take on whatever life throws your way. It's time to take control of your energy levels, and self care is the key to making that happen!

In fact, if you haven't already sign up for the FREE 5 Day Balanced Ballerinas Challenge - my Peace & Pliés Checklist is the perfect place to start with realistic acts of self-care and start developing healthy habits.

Happy Valentines Day and carve out some time to cherish yourself the way you would your loved ones.

Peace & Pliés,

Georgia x