A self-care overhaul
Let’s take a moment to rethink self-care.
What do you do when things are spinning out of control? What do you do when you simply need to fill your tanks? We don’t have never ending resources to just keep on going. I know with us women, mums especially, we will often put ourselves last and run the risk of burning out. Throw in poor eating habits, poor sleep and a never ending to-do list … you can see where this is going!
It can feel a little overwhelming at the moment. When you can’t control what’s going on around, take the time to turn inward. Focus on you. Take the time to check in with yourself and start some gently inquiry. What is it that you need? Here are a few of my go-to self-care practices that I use to ground myself.
Start with the foundations
Ok, you know the whole, you’ve got to know where you are so that you know where you are going? It’s a saying for a reason. Stop what it is that you are doing, find some space and some quiet (if you can, if you can’t do what you can. This is so important and can be done with distractions). Then close down your eyes and check in with your body. Check in with your feelings and emotions. What is it that you actually need?
Sleep it off
I come back to this time and time again but sleep is one of the best and biggest investments that you can make for you. When we are suffering from sleep deprivation it can turn on our fight or flight system. Meaning that our mood is off, we can’t think properly, we struggling to connect with others and we lean on bad habits that don’t serve us in anyway.
Think about what you do before you sleep and when you wake up. Do you need a longer wind down time - think removing tech, not having that glass of wine, reading or meditating. When you wake, can you get out in sunshine quickly, swap out your first coffee of the day for a caffeine drink to give your system a chance to wake up. Leave the tech until you really need it. Music is a powerful tool for both evenings and mornings.
3. Hydration Nation
Nourish your body with water. Eat it (fruit and veg are an excellent way to boost your hydration levels). Making sure that you are getting enough water will help your mood, your brain desperately needs water, aid digestion, your skin will love you for it!
4. Eat for the season
Look for the local, seasonal produce that are filled with vitamins and nutrients. In summer you can make amazing salads that will boost hydration, lower inflammation, stabilize mood and make your body feel amazing. You can find all sorts of incredible recipes online and free so get creative and have some fun. I love platters during the hotter months and it gives the kids an opportunity to try things that they often won’t on their own plates. Eat the rainbow!
5. Give a little
Consider finding ways to give back, no matter how big or small, you’ll be surprised how good you’ll feel. Not only are you directly giving back to others, but this can be a powerful tool for regaining control if you’ve felt out of sorts lately.
There is even research that shows that people who regularly volunteer experience an increased state of well-being, as well as feeling the benefits of giving back—you get an increase in happiness that doesn’t fade with each additional donation or volunteer hour, as it does with purchases for ourselves - eek think of the buyers regret! It seriously doesn’t have to be big or complicated - in fact the simpler the better.
6. Let it go
“Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.”- Rumi
Feel all the feelings, even the ones that feel the hardest to sit with. For me, this looks like a combination of meditation, morning pages and long walks. There’s no absolute right or wrong way but there is one solid rule, no shame or judgement, it is an incredibly important tool that you can use when working with stress. Find your way and then fully tune into you.
What is going on for you? How do you feel physically? Where do those emotions sit? What do they feel like? What do they remind you of? You don’t need to change anything just watch. Really need to release those pent up feelings, even screaming in your mind can help you to navigate tricky emotions.
7. See the good
Now, as much as it is important to feel ALL of your emotions, it is also to remember and see the good. Now more than ever. This can be knowing the people that boost your energy and make you feel amazing. Play and creativity can be especially powerful. Leave the news and the things that trigger you and seek out the things that bring you joy.
Navigating stress is hard so spending the time to seek out those things that raise your vibe is crucial.
8. Get Mindful
I turn to mindful activities when I need to calm my mind, lower the stress levels and bring my back into my body. Just one go to activity that you love is all you need. I’ve fallen in love with knitting and cooking has always taken me to my happy place. My gardening, baking, painting or writing are you happy place. These are things that you don’t need to be good at, that is actually unhelpful, these are things that you are doing for the sheer joy of doing it and that take your complete focus.
If you would love to explore any of these ideas more, then reach out, let’s chat