Westshore Blog

For (Self) Love and Chocolate

Image courtesy of Purdy’s Chocolatier

 

If you sometimes feel like self-care is nothing more than a couple of taboo four-letter-words, we are here to set you straight.

You’ve heard flight attendants tell you that in case of emergency you need to don your own face mask first before helping others, right?  The same thing applies with care.  Your needs are actually just as important – if not more important – than those of the people around you, including your littles.

With that said, we’ve started up a self-care series on our blog and will be posting some ideas from time to time for you to take to heart when looking for ways to take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit.

Let’s start with something really simple, ok?  You’ll need a few moments for this, so maybe save this experiment for after the kidlets are asleep, or before they get up.

Try this mindfulness exercise:

Sit somewhere comfortable and put both feet flat on the ground.
Next, put a small piece of chocolate in your mouth (preferably one of your favourites, you know Purdy’s has got you covered).
Now close your eyes.
Don’t bite the chocolate, just let it sit on your tongue.
Notice how it feels on your tongue, how it melts and touches the roof of your mouth.
Focus on the taste, how does this make you feel?  Is it continuing to melt?
If your thoughts drift somewhere else, bring them back to the chocolate.
How does it smell?  What does it feel like in your mouth?
Take your time, let it melt completely, and once its all gone, open your eyes.  How do you feel?

This exercise may seem silly, but as simple as it is, you were able to slow down long enough to truly take a moment just for you – and for chocolate!  This is a small and easy way to start a self-care habit.

Give it a try, and let us know on social how it went!