In times of uncertainty, stress and chaos, taking time for self-care is more important than ever. But self-care means different things for different people, and how you benefit from it depends on the approach you take.
For some, self-care can be as simple as taking an evening to binge a little Netflix, eat some ice cream or have a few glasses of wine. For others, it can be a long bike ride followed by a nice meal with a loved one. For others still, it’s a more involved process that takes some real work mixed in with relaxation and enjoyment. The truth is, for real self-care, that should be how we all approach it; taking time for things that we enjoy is great, but there should be work involved, too. After all, taking care of the self means more than just indulging; it’s about nurturing our inner psyche, working on any problems, and holding ourselves accountable.
For those who are truly in tune with themselves, self-care is often a spiritual experience. Spirituality is different for everyone and does not have to be equated with religion – for many it is simply feeling at one with your spirit, your soul. And that should be the main goal of self-care, shouldn’t it? Feeling at peace. You can also use angel numbers as guides. These are number sequences or number patterns that can be seen anywhere.
If you’re looking for some deep self-care and don’t know where to start, we’ve outlined a few ideas below. These are great ways to tune into your inner spirit and feel more relaxed, in tune with your body and mind, and have a little fun in the process.
Getting your Body Moving
If you’re truly into self-care, you shouldn’t neglect exercise. It doesn’t have to mean running a marathon or taking up weight lifting. Anything that gets your body moving, at your own pace and comfort level, is good. That could be a walk around the block, a hike with your dog, or finally attending that yoga retreat you’ve always wanted to go to. The key is to keep yourself moving, endorphins firing, experiencing nature (and lots of Vitamin D), to keep your body and mind healthy and centered.
Crystals, Tokens and Symbols
For the more spiritual among us, a lot of peace and tranquility can be found through things like crystals, herbs and magical items like candles and stones. If you’re an experienced practitioner, you already know how to handle these items and get the most out of them. But if you’re a novice to the world of New Age or pagan practice, visiting a practitioner who has experience with these items is very important. Nourished Energy and other reputable teachers/practitioners are practiced in the art of energy healing and spiritual healing, using a blend of spirituality, nutrition and movement, to have you feeling at your most energized, calm and peaceful. These holistic and spiritual approaches are a wonderful way to approach your self-care in a measured and deliberate way; to feel that you’re truly doing something meaningful for yourself. Outsourcing these efforts to an experienced teacher is a way to hold yourself accountable and give yourself a little extra concentrated healing.
Get Away
Travel is one of the best self-care things you can do. Taking the time to get away and reset your mind can bring you so much peace and relaxation – there’s a reason why we all say “I need a vacation” every time we’re stressed. So take that vacation! Whether you want a solo hike in the mountains, a little sun-and-sand at the beach, or decide to visit a historical landmark, take that trip you’ve always wanted to take and hit that reset button. It’ll do your mind, heart and body good.
Treating Yourself Creatively
As we’ve discussed, plenty of people have their self-care rituals down pat. Perhaps you have a favorite nail polish brand you treat yourself with, or self-care for you means your favorite pint of Ben & Jerrys. But maybe it’s time to get a bit more creative with the ways you treat yourself. Being more mindful of “treats” that truly indulge your spirit and your soul as well as being aesthetically pleasing or delicious.
Treating yourself to a trip you’ve always wanted to take, lunch with a friend you’ve been missing, lessons in an art form you’ve always wanted to try, or adopting a pet in need, even making that therapy appointment you’ve been putting off – these are all ways to care for yourself and “treat” yourself to something enjoyable, fun and beautiful while also helping others and enriching your mind and soul. When you think outside the box and treat yourself in ways that are mindful and spiritual, you’ll benefit so much more, long after the ice cream is eaten and the nail polish has dried.
Treat Others
To take it a little further, self-care can mean doing things for others, too. Selfless good deeds, favors and gifts will make you feel good, while doing something nice for the people you care about. It doesn’t have to cost money, either. Treating someone to an hour of much-needed babysitting, doing the shopping for someone who has trouble getting around, or just calling a loved one to check in can all be small ways to help someone and let them know you care. Doing a kindness for others always comes back to you in the end. It’s well worth it.
Self-care is a concept that is thrown around so often that many of us have forgotten or become confused about what it means. In layman’s terms, self-care is just that – caring for yourself. While treating yourself to fun little presents and taking the night off to unwind are great ways to take care of yourself, you can think bigger. Mindful choices that align with your spirituality and health will have you feeling much more at peace, calm and relaxed, and happy with life as you go forward. True self-care is well worth the effort, and it can mean whatever you want it to mean. Anything that keeps you feeling strong, happy and healthy, and at peace with yourself. That’s self-care.
