I have always loved the start of March-for me, though I live in Alabama and we have fairly mild weather in the winter, the cold, lack of sunlight, and rainy days begin to take a toll on my mental health.  January and February drag on with seemingly no end in sight.  But March brings hope-flowers and trees begin to bud, the air is slightly warmer, daylight savings time, and the whispers of spring can be heard.  

March also brings two of my favorite topics-International Women’s Day (March 8th) and National Nutrition Month.  As a female athletic director, I am constantly reminded that I am in a male-dominated field.  I work hard to ensure that there are equal opportunities in sports for both boys and girls.  My own daughter LOVES volleyball and soccer and I know that these endeavors have played a huge role in preserving her mental health during her busy days of high school academics.  I myself routinely turn to running and walking for my own mental health.  Through conversations with several of my female clients, I have realized that often, as women, we are so focused on taking care of others, that we often ignore or feel guilty about addressing our own needs.  I am here to remind you that pouring from an empty cup is unhealthy!  Self-care does not have to take a long time, but it is important to address your own needs, in addition to the needs of others.  Block out 20-30 minutes daily, just for you!  If you need ideas for what to do, you can consider the PERMA Self-Care Model from Martin Seligman:

P-Positive Emotion (what makes you feel good?)

E-Engagement (what activities make you lose track of time?  Start one!)

R-Relationships (who can you spend time with that will “fill your cup”?)

M-Meaning (what endeavors do you find worthwhile?)

A-Accomplishments (what are your goals?)

Additionally, I would encourage you to focus on mindfulness activities.  While this may sound strange, mindfulness activities have been proven to reduce anxiety and improve mental health.  Suitable activities include anything that engages the 5 senses and can ground you in the present moment, instead of allowing your mind to spiral in the “what ifs” of the day.  

Be kind to yourself-when we are distressed, worried, and otherwise ignore our own needs, this increases the cortisol levels in our bodies, making it harder to lose weight and impacting our heart and mental health.  We only get one life-let’s make it the best one!

I will be sharing thoughts on nutrition in a separate blog later this month-be on the lookout for it around March 15th!