On Fridays I like to share the things that help me as a leader and a learner. Please join in by sharing what you are loving lately!

This week I was inspired by a recent #LadiesWhoLead Twitter chat led by Margie from ACSA. The chat was all about self-care, and how leaders build in time and habits to care for themselves in addition to those around them. These are some of my favorite self-care tips!

• Meditation and Mindfulness: Ever since mindfuless was my word of 2015, I have worked to build habits that help me be more present. That has expanded into a daily meditation habit, supported by an amazing app- Headspace. A good friend gave me a subscription to Headspace for Christmas this year and it’s been an incredible gift! Not only does the app provide daily guided meditations, but you can select from a wide range of topics to focus on, from sleep to stress to pain management to anxiety. Meditation and mindfulness are important elements in my self-care routine.
• Essential Oils: I have been using essential oils as part of my holistic health care for about 3 years now. I love opening my medicine cabinet and seeing entire shelves of little bottles of joy instead of processed, chemical-filled medications. I have two diffusers in my home and one in my office, so I can diffuse various oils throughout the day and night for relaxation, energy, motivation, or a sense of calm. I create oil concoctions that I apply directly onto my body to support pain management, stress, or general wellbeing. I also use my happy (mostly citrus-based) oils as a perfume and a quick pick-me-up by putting a drop in my hands and inhaling deeply. I’ve recently started a private FaceBook group, Educationally Diffusing: Essential Oils, to share my love of these amazing life-improving oils. If you are interested to learn more about what I use and why I love them, let me know!
• Healthy Competition: Another part of my self-care routine that I’m trying to work on is regular exercise. This week I challenged two of my friends to a “Work Week Hustle” on FitBit. I knew that if I challenged them, I would up my daily step game to be competitive. I’ve gotten more steps this week than in the last few months!

These are a few of the ways that I build in self-care to my daily routines. What do you do for YOU?