Because Leaders Can’t Run on Empty: The Importance of Daily Self-care Habits
By Amarantha Dyl, Riley’s Way Intern
To document my favorite part of being an intern here at Riley’s Way, I’ve created a collection of my favorite self-care themes from our All Council Check-in meetings.
In common, they express the great significance and value of daily self-care, serving as a reminder that one, especially a leader, can’t pour from an empty cup! Speaking, we’re at our best when we are taken care of mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually (if applicable).
So what better way than to teach, learn, and actively practice such beautiful and impactful habits?! Well, that’s what our weekly Riley’s Way All Council Check-In looks like. And it being the Riley’s Way to share, here’s a nugget from us to you!
Sleep Habits
Fun Fact: humans are the only mammals that willingly delay sleep.
This All Council Check-In was co-led by Julia and Lauren. It targeted the importance of better sleep habits and was structured so everyone could help share some tips they personally find it to be helpful to increase our quality and quantity of it.
This is especially important because sleep is vital for healthy and effective human function and is just as important as maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise and or movement. Poor sleep, amongst many other factors, can greatly harm your health. So if you’re experiencing difficulties and or have any concerns, I highly recommend consulting a professional.
It was so informative and fun. Julia later held a Part 2 with more tips.
Julia and Lauren’s tips for better sleep habits include:
– Make your bed a sleep-only space, so choose someplace else to work
– A sound machine: have music or white noise play in the background
– A weighted blanket
– Consider room conditions that bring you comfort, such as adjusting room temperature, lighting: dimly lit or dark room, cleanliness, scents: sleep sprays or essential oils
So if you’re not doing so already, implement a number of these tips into your routine for a few days to a week and see if there’s a difference!
Free-writing
“Just write. Don’t think about what they will say, it’s for you anyway. Don’t twist your ideas and the things you love because of fear. Don’t worry about being correct or proper. Don’t write to impress. Write to absolve your heart. Write to dull the pain. Write so you can breathe easier. Just write.”
This All Council Check-In was student-led by Aishe.
This session was a designated space to practice one of Aishe’s all-time favorite methods to destress, free-writing! Free-writing is a creative exercise to write about a topic or prompt for five to ten minutes without stopping.
All you’d need for it is something to write or document with, a pen, paper, tablet, laptop, typewriter even, and a goal. You can even get creative and decorate your journal and or entry too!
For a prompt or goal, maybe you’d like to vent or reflect on your day or week. Maybe you’d like to deep dive and see what you can subconsciously find. There are so many prompts online that can help you get there; feel free to explore.
But if you’re feeling out of whack, out of any of your typical element, I recommend you speak to a trusted loved one and or professional about it. There are many outlets and platforms specifically curated for individuals with mental differentiation in mind.
I personally found this check-in and exercise to be very therapeutic. The best part was that there were no rules, only to let go and let be.
We didn’t think we didn’t care about grammar and spelling? An afterthought. We just poured onto our papers. All the pent-up emotions, we let it go. The weight of the world we felt like we were carrying? We intentionally let it fall, making no effort to hold onto the unserving any longer. It was no longer our problem(s) because then, by the end, we’d released it.
Don’t just take my word for it; look what one of our students who attended had to say:
“I enjoyed all of the themes presented at the check-ins as I feel like each one impacted me in a special way… the free-write check-in impacted me because I was able to learn that writing has a special place in my heart and is one of my passions that I hope to utilize for a greater impact in the near future.”
– Tiara
Skincare
“What’s an extreme sport? Leaving the house without sunscreen.”
This All Council Check-In was student-co-led by Victoria, Sarah, and Sasha. They covered some basics regarding skincare, we collectively talked about skincare routines, our favorite products, and tips!
Some tips are as follows:
– Understand your skin type(s); this will help you find products that are generally curated for individuals who share the same type(s) as you
– Your face can reflect a lot on your health, so listen to the clues it gives you. For example, dehydrated skin means it needs more hydration (water) and moisturizing products
– Have your own skin goals, whether that is to treat acne, get hydrated, glowing skin, treat hyperpigmentation, prevent premature aging, the list goes on
– It’s highly recommended to see a professional regularly, if you can, especially if you’re having concerns. You can also receive some professional graded tips as well
– SPF, also known as sunscreen, is important friends! It doesn’t matter your skin tone or shade or type; protect that skin from sun damage!
Also, the last ask from me is to remind you to love the skin we’re in, especially while in progress. Keep in mind that healthy skin is not an overnight process, and we can admire someone else’s beauty without questioning our own. This is especially important in this day and age of social media, beauty standards, makeup, and beauty filters. That all skin, no matter what, is normal and beautiful; filtered skin is not a healthy representation of what one’s aspirations should be.
“During quarantine, I lost my routine and typical lifestyle; the only sense of normality I had was skincare. I woke up every day, did my morning routine, and went to sleep after completing my night routine. Skincare has always been a staple in my self-care journey, and it is one of the things that I treasure. Hosting an all Council Check In about Skin Care and sharing my love for skincare with the Riley’s Way Council members and staff was an enjoyable and memorable experience for me. I appreciate everyone who participated and shared tips!”
– Victoria
