Self-care is how you take your power back.
-Lalah Delia
Self-care has been on my mind a lot this week while being sick. Questions like, “what do I need in this moment to feel better?” and “how can I best take care of my body while I’m not feeling 100%?” Much of this week was spent resting and napping in bed when I wasn’t working. It was hard, as I’m normally someone who has a lot of energy and usually works out on a daily basis. But there was definitely no energy for exercise this week, let alone much else. So, I rested, I napped and got extra sleep, I watched shows I’ve put off watching, I finally finished my fiction book I’ve been reading for quite a while, I reminded myself that I was one day closer to being well and back to my normal self… and today after all this extra self-care this week, I am finally feeling a little bit better and a little bit closer to feeling like myself again.
Here’s what’s to come in this blog: mental self-care ideas, emotional self-care idea, and wrapping up with some spiritual self-care ideas. Enjoy!
Mental Self-Care Ideas:
- Write in a journal
- Practice mindfulness
- Read a great book
- Set limits around electronics, especially social media
- Use visualization
- Make your bed in the mornings
- Allow time for distractions like watching a new show or listen to a podcast or audio book
What else would you add here?
Emotional Self-Care Ideas:
- Meditate- quiet or guided
- Process with a therapist
- Be vulnerable with others that your trust emotionally
- Feel your feelings- yes, all of them, even the ones that are uncomfortable!
- Write a letter to yourself or someone else- you decide what you want to do with it- send it, keep it, shred it, etc.
- Volunteer your time and energy to a cause that’s important to you and close to your heart
- Listen to your favorite music
- Have a daily mantra like “be yourself” or “be here now”
What else would you add to this list?
Spiritual Self-Care Ideas:
- Go outside and absorb the beauty that’s all around you
- Practice self-compassion and self-love
- Create deep connections with others
- Create a kind inner voice to offset the inner critic we all have within us
- Practice gratitude and being grateful for all the positives in your life today
- Connect with the world around you- this can be structured or unstructured
What other spiritual self-care ideas would you add to this list?
If you’re struggling right now, know that you’re not alone. Many of us are struggling right now too. If you need more help and support, please reach out to a trusted doctor or therapist in your area. I’m thinking of you and sending lots of love and compassion your way!
