Self-care or is it relearning to love yourself?
Self-care, is it a new box to cross in our already busy lifestyles - or is relearning how to love ourselves? So what are some simple tips for creating a self-care, self loving program to suit you?
Our home sanctuary looks a little different from a couple of years ago. Our homes are now our office, the kid’s classroom/university, dance studio and pub. The physical boundaries have been blurred and our safe haven is now a hub of activity with constant movement and noise.
Some signs you may need to take care of yourself:
Struggling with emotions and mental wellness
Lethargy, low energy
Stressed and low immune
Feeling of disconnection from other and self.
The feelings of loss of direction and purpose
What does self care self loving look like?
Self-care can be broken into 5 categories. And you may be doing many of these already; physical, social, mental, emotional and Spiritual.
Physical Care
Sleep – getting enough sleep
Eating nutritious food and drinking water
Taking charge of movement (another way of saying exercise).
Social Care
Active listening to friends and family. It is a privilege to hold the space for someone to express themselves
Sharing time with friends face to face. Family or friends you feel safe to share challenging experiences without fear of being judge
Sharing time with a beloved animal
Mental Care
Puzzles – Sudoku, cross words or jigsaw
Reading Inspirating books, listening to podcast or watching a movie with that make you think
Creating a music playlist of your favorite music. Could be mood boosting music or calm morning music
The next two self care self loving categories take time to develop and are constantly evolving
Emotional Care
Becoming aware of your emotional spectrum
What are your limiting beliefs
What are your triggers?
Are you reacting to life?
How are your emotions effecting your health?
Do you experience anxiety, anger, shame, guilt or sadness?
Are you able to express these feelings in safe place
Spiritual Care
Wondering about life experiences and how they have shaped who you are
·Pondering your sense of purpose
Questioning your identity
Taking time to enjoy nature
Stillness, meditations, breath work
Journaling
“Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.”
Tips…
Turning off screens a few hours before sleeping
One liter of water to every 30kg daily
Taking time to enjoy food, think about how it got to your table
Taking the kids to park while you do laps of the oval with the dog
Doing a few sun salutes of a morning
Or like my sister in-law and don the leotard for Jazz-a- size
“Love the one you’re with”
Wordle www.powerlanguage.com.au
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - great movie with a great sound track
Speaking about our emotions can be scary and some of us are afraid of what may come up. I have shared my emotions and deepest darkest secrets with my fellow Self-Directed Healing Practitioners. Yes, it can be painful but the insight I’ve gain from my sessions have allowed me to live life with loving kindness and not through the filter of past habits and trauma. SDH gives you coping skills to deal with uncomfortable emotions and feelings like I’m not good enough, I am not valued, and I’m not seen or heard, to name a few.
Ask yourself “is this belief mine”.
Journalling “What went we for me today” · Hugh van Cuylenburg gratitude prompt www.theresilienceproject.com.au
Self care self loving is giving yourself permission to explore who you are. There is no wrong or right . It’s about finding a space to nurture yourself, to rescue yourself from the hectic lifestyles we are leading. Call it what you want to me that’s loving yourself. JF
