I don't know about you but when I think of self-care, I immediately picture myself getting a massage on the beach, my face covered in avocado, and sliced cucumber on my eyes.

While that is true to some, I had to come to a quick realization that self-care doesn't always equate to going on vacation to escape from the responsibilities and realities of life. Sometimes it's getting in three balanced meals every day instead of being too busy to eat lunch, or getting at least 8 hours of sleep instead of priding myself on the late nights, early mornings grind.

While the self-care message has kind of gotten lost in the sauce lately, there's a way to make sure you're really indulging in it properly. Check out the gallery below:

Listen to Yourself

When your body and mind speak, you have to listen. Trust me, I know how easy it is to ignore the inner warnings and alarms that reveal you have way too much on your plate. You might not even realize you're telling yourself there's no way you can press pause because you're way too close to the finish line (that keeps getting further away the closer you get). There were times I kept risking it all and literally had to go home from work because I got sick. Yes, there's a pride in working hard, but not if you don't take the rest you need. At that point, you're not good for anyone, not even yourself. You deserve a break, so pay attention when your body tells you it's time.