“Being beautiful is being yourself. You don’t have to be accepted by others. You have to accept yourself.” Thich Nhat Hanh
Hhow often have you found yourself thinking or even saying out loud that you are simply too busy to slow down and take care of yourself? After all, there is so much to do…and the sooner the better! When we fall into the careless attitude of rushing from one task to another, enslaved by our tasks and external obligations, we easily lose sight of ourselves. wealth. These are the times when it is most important to pause and consider the current situation self care exercises and maybe even add a few new ones self-care strategies to the blossoming self care toolbox.
Self-care of the mind
- Pay attention to a daily activity that you normally do on autopilot, such as brushing your teeth. Take the time to slow down and really notice the sensations of this simple routine.
- Set a timer for one minute. Use this short time to pay attention to your breath and notice how you feel as you breathe in and out.
- Read an uplifting or inspiring article, book, or collection of quotes.
- Set a timer for 10 minutes and use that time to organize or clean a messy area of your home or workplace. Notice how much better you feel after the mess.
Self-care of the body
- Take a walk outside while practicing mindfulness…really notice the sensations of your feet as they touch the ground, the smells in the air, and the feel of the sun on your skin.
- Engage in 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise that you enjoy…maybe it will recharge you yogaor maybe running is more your thing. Do an activity that gets your heart pumping while enjoying the many benefits of exercise.
- Set aside some quiet time for a long, hot bubble bath, perhaps with candlelight and some relaxing music. This is an excellent way to relax and prepare for a restful, peaceful night sleep.
- Make sure your diet is balanced and full of fresh, healthy foods that make you feel nourished. Practice mindfulness while enjoying food to enhance enjoyment and taste.
Self-care for the soul
- Keep the gratitude journal. Choose a time of day when you plan to write down at least three things you are grateful for. Research indicates a strong correlation between regular gratitude journaling and general well-being.
- Engage in a spiritual, religious or secular awareness practice that resonates with your personal values and belief system. Use that connection to something bigger than yourself to keep you centered and grounded.
- See your counselor, therapist, or other mental health professional for ongoing support self care schema.
- Take the time to participate in the mindfulness meditation practice… and keep it up!
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Featured image: Hug me by Bryant Wong / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
(2015) Bush, AD Simple Self-Care for Therapists: Restorative Practices to Infuse Your Workday. New York, NY: WW Norton & Co., Inc.
