Despite our best intentions, life can often throw you a curveball. Something that saps your energy and makes you question your very existence. In these times it is even more important to take stock and make sure you have a solid grounding as it can be so easy to be swept away in despair.
As a mother cares for her child, self-care is the act of loving yourself. Allowing you the space to process your experience in order to be able to fully heal and recover.
Here are our 5 steps to help you in these dark times:
Rest
This is not the time to start a punishing fitness routine. Keep moving but in a way that honors your body rather than punishing it. Yoga, Pilates and walking all restores you.
Aim to have at least 7 hours of sleep. Get into bed an hour earlier and read. But try to get up at a regular time. Waking up at 11 am isn’t good for your mind. Try and sync your waking hours with the sunrise with the sun and start winding down when it sets.
Journal
The physical act of writing out your feelings can be extremely cathartic. Find a quiet spot and let it all out – everything that you are feeling get it down on paper. Once you are done you can keep this as a safe space or go through the ritualistic process of burning the paper. While you watch it burn, feel those feelings going to a higher place outside of you.
Nourishment
In times of upheaval, eating can come last on our list. It is so important though to keep your body strong. Eat warming foods such as soups and stews that are easy on the digestions. Drink herbal teas and keep hydrated. The act of cooking can have a calming and soothing action on your mind as well.
Gratitude
This can feel extremely hard but aim to think of three things you are grateful for. It could even be the air you are breathing, the sunrise you saw that morning, being able to make yourself a hot cup of tea to start your day. Start simple and gradually you will start to see the difference.
Don’t rush yourself with these steps. Be gentle on yourself. As with everything in life, things go up and they go down. It is the natural cycle and not something that should be fought against. The key is to look after yourself in both the good times and the bad so you have a solid foundation you can lean on in times of difficulty.