Neha Uberoi: "Self Care for Success"

A few months ago it was made apparent to me that I don't pamper and encourage myself the way I do others. I was scratching my arm from one of the many mosquito bites I suffered when my mom said, "Neha, you are grating you skin!" A day later I was combing my hair and my boyfriend exclaimed, "Why are you brushing so hard, you'll go bald! I paused. I never noticed this roughness. Although I will argue that I do take decent care of my physical fitness and eat pretty healthy, I was indeed harsh to myself. I started to notice even the way I washed my face and brushed my teeth. Rough! What was most interesting was that this roughness mirrored my self-talk.

I started to make a conscious effort to be gentler in my actions towards my self-care. I smiled and used delicate gestures as I applied lotion or washed my faced and pressed gently as I brushed. In a few weeks time, these small actions had an extended effect. They made me think nicer thoughts about myself. I took it a step further and stopped holding my bladder and waiting until I was too hungry to get up from work. Over the past few months I have observed how much negative self-talk has been dissolved and replaced with more self-encouragement and a new found freedom to think and express myself without self-judgment. With less negativity in my thoughts and in my actions, I feel happier and less overwhelmed.

I'm also learning that this self-care is what allows me the ability to push myself toward my goals in a sustainable manner. By putting myself first, I've reduced mini-breakdowns- complete mental and physical exhaustion and I've been much more in touch with my emotions. 
I now look forward to the time I have made an effort to put aside for what I like to call pampering minutes.

These are a few small things I've been doing for better self-care:
• Self-oil massage
• Regular pedicures
• Cooking a nice meal for myself and plating it beautifully
• Practicing Yoga
• Foam rolling to release tensions from sore muscles 
• Spending a few extra minutes on my hair in the morning
• Wearing sunscreen daily

Neha Uberoi is a former top professional tennis player, Indian-American role model and respected wellness authority. She has traveled the world playing in the most elite women's tennis tournaments in the world such as the US Open. After leaving pro tennis, Neha graduated from Princeton University. Through her website, www.nehauberoi.com Neha writes about personal development, wellness, fitness and tennis with personal insight and honesty.