Today’s world is filled with stress. People are over-committed at work and home. The constant bombardment of social media, smartphone alerts, and breaking news can also create tension. With everything going on in our lives, knowing how to nurture yourself is necessary.
Unfortunately, too many people make themselves the least important person in their lives. They are too busy caring for their children or other family members. They are too busy bringing work home each night. Being overburdened with life makes it challenging to relax and lighten the load. Instead, people become burned out and unhappy.
These techniques are tried-and-true ways to take care of yourself. You do not have to take hours each day to nurture yourself. But, a few moments each week will make a big difference in bringing comfort and relaxation in your life.
Listen to Your Favorite Music
Music can change your life. With all of the available music apps, it is easy to build a music collection. For many people, taking time away from the screen to tune into favorite songs can quickly change your mood. You can listen to music that will make your dance, run, smile, or relax. There is something for everyone.
Consider how music is used to calm babies and put them to sleep. If you feel like you need to relax, a gentle lullaby might be what you need. Or some ambient music that soothes the soul. When you keep the music simple, your brain can take it all in and thoroughly enjoy every moment.
Find Time to Exercise
A body in motion will stay in motion. When you exercise, your body benefits. You might not consider exercising as a way to nurture yourself, but there isn’t anything much better. When you get fully immersed in moving, you help your body, mind, and spirit. Go outside and take a walk. Lift weights at your favorite gym. Flow in a yoga class. Just get moving.
For some people, the best way to nurture themselves is to participate in a competitive sport. If you organize a pick-up basketball game at your local park, you not only get to exercise, but you get to spend time with friends. The same goes for playing a round of golf with friends.
In many communities, pickleball is becoming the go-to activity for people of all ages. If you want to play, but you don’t have a group, join a local league. Or check out the schedule of activities through your community education organizations. Many have adult activities like pickleball, tai chi, or yoga for affordable prices at convenient times.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
If you are feeling bombarded with moments that bring you down, a gratitude journal might be what you need. A gratitude journal is what it sounds like. You take time each day to write down something for which you are thankful. When you take time to practice gratitude, you get to intentionally focus on the good things that you experience each day.
It can be tough to siphon out all of the negativity in the world. A gratitude journal forces you to stop thinking about the darkness in the world. Instead, you look at what brings you joy, even if it is only for that short time that you are writing. Hopefully, you will begin to feel gratitude throughout your day, not just when you are writing in your journal.
Some people nurture themselves with artistic entries in their gratitude journals. Learning to write in different styles and using different pens might bring you more joy as you write. It is up to you how many things you write and how deeply you discuss them in your journal. Make the moment sacred to yourself as you build gratitude each day.
Let Go of Personal Criticism
Too often, we let our internal, critical voice direct our sails. When we focus only on our critical voice, we silence the other voices for fear of criticism. You must let go of what holds us back in yourself so that you can truly become yourself. Being accepting of yourself, even your flaws, will help you with self-care.
Instead of continuing to criticize yourself, you should compliment yourself. Thank yourself for taking risks and for learning about your life. Encourage yourself to try new things and not to be afraid of failure. In many cases, the only way we grow is by attempting new things and being willing to fail. Fear of criticism only holds you back from feeling personal joy.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
The world moves quickly, and it can be challenging to keep up with it. Eventually, you will need to slow down and relax. If you are always going, you will have difficulty sleeping – the ultimate in relaxation. When you can’t sleep, you won’t be able to function effectively throughout the day. If you do not take care of yourself, you will not be able to get work done.
To keep your body moving the way it should, you need to relax. Without relaxation, stress increases, and life becomes unmanageable. If batteries are not recharged, then they will die. For many people, the most effective relaxation techniques include intentional breathing.
The easiest way to slow down is to sit or lay on the floor and breathe in and out mindfully. If your mind begins to wander, put your hand on your belly and pay attention to how it moves when you inhale and exhale. By slowing the breath, you can slow down and step away from the madness of the day.
Other techniques work, too. Consider soaking in a warm bath. Turn down the lights, light some candles, and play some gentle music while you soak. You will feel relaxed after that.
Some people use a relaxation technique called yoga nidra. This technique involves moving the mind through the different parts of the body to get to a state of deep relaxation. It is tough to do on your own, so many people use a recording to follow the steps. Once immersed in yoga nidra, you might be so relaxed that your body feels like it is floating in the air.
Spend Time With People Who Relax You
You can spend your time with anyone you want. So, why would you spend time with people who create stress in your life? Instead, find time to be with people who make you feel good. If those people do not exist, then take time to be alone. When you get away from people with negative energy, you can focus on yourself and not worry about other people’s drama.
When you get away from stressful people, you can pay attention to the world around you. Notice the sights and sounds around you. Turn off screens and pay attention to your surroundings. This is a quick way to nurture yourself.
Take time to reconnect with people who have been kind to you in the past. You can do this in a face-to-face situation or online. Being around people who appreciate you as you are is comforting.
Stop Complaining
The more negativity you are around, the more you will complain. You eventually behave like the people you are with, so pay attention to the words you say. If you are trying to nurture yourself, be aware of what you say. If you are regularly complaining , you need to get away from that environment and stop doing it.
If you have been complaining for too long, you need to get back to sweet things that make your life better, literally. Eat what you love. Listen to what you love. Be around people you love. Stay away from all of the things that bring you down and inspire your complaints. You might even need to take a day or two off from work so you can reset.
If you cannot get away from all that makes you complain, try to take in the negativity in smaller doses. Learn to find balance in the good things in your life, so the bad things do not drown your spirit. Surround yourself with anything that makes you happy. When you feel a complaint arising, look to the pleasant things and stop the negativity from entering your mind.
Accept Your Emotions
All too often, we suppress our emotions because we feel the world will not accept them. This can create stress in our lives. If you want to nurture yourself, you will let your emotions surface and exit your body. Sometimes a good cry is exactly what our minds and bodies need. Getting it out can be nurturing.
We are human. Therefore, we have emotions. If you suppress them, your stress levels will increase as you continue to hide the way you feel. It can be challenging to express your feelings fully, so you might want to consider sharing them in your gratitude journal. You can be thankful for having emotions because they guide us through life and help us make decisions.
When you take care of your emotions, your life improves. Researchers found that when people nurture their emotions, they reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease. They also decrease the time needed to recover from injuries and illnesses. Their immune system works better when they accept their emotions. And, they live a longer and more productive life.
Be Kind and Compassionate
Nurturing yourself means that you are kind to yourself. The best way to do this is to listen to your body and mind by providing what you need. If you feel like you need to eat more fruits and vegetables, then you should. If you feel like you need a nap, then take one. Your body is telling you what it needs. When you ignore your internal voice, you are not kind to yourself.
It is easier to nurture yourself when you are also kind and compassionate to others. You should not ignore your own needs for other people’s needs, but you should do what you can to show kindness and compassion. When you care about others, it is easier to care about yourself. You practice on others, then perfect your kindness and compassion techniques on yourself.
Volunteer Your Time
One way to show kindness and compassion is by donating your time to others. While you help others, you nurture your spirit. There is a monetary value to volunteering, as time is valuable. So when you do it, you feel like you are doing something right and worthwhile. When you volunteer, you add value to your community, too.
For some people, nurturing themselves involves spending time around other people. For social people, spending time with people fills their souls. And, for introverts, volunteering allows people to be around other people, but without having to be in an uncomfortable situation. Volunteering is one of the most satisfying experiences in any community.
The added benefit of volunteering is that it inspires other people to volunteer. It is a great way to keep the community and your heart growing.
Fill a Drawer
At work and home, have a comfort drawer and keep it filled. That drawer should have things you love, like favorite markers and pens, candy, magazines, activity cards – you name it. The items in the drawer should bring your absolute joy. As you find objects, add them to your drawer, but don’t overfill it.
You shouldn’t feel overwhelmed when you open it up. Instead, you should feel a gentle rush of joy. This drawer is entirely yours. No one else should take things out of it, although they could add stuff to it. Along with real objects, you can put pictures of things that you would like to do, as hope can be nurturing, too.
Learn to Take Care of Yourself
Having a comfort drawer is one thing, but you should also take care of yourself throughout the day. You should eat healthy food and drink plenty of water. You should also be sure to go to sleep at the same time each night. It is also crucial that you move throughout the day and spend time around people who energize you.
If you work in a sedentary job, you must take time to get out of your chair and walk. Try to walk for 10 minutes or more for every hour that you sit.
Along with feeding your body with water, good food, and movement, you should also pay attention to what you put on your body. Be aware of what is in your lotions, soaps, and cosmetics. The toxins in those products can get into your body and do damage, too. Some of the most harmful ingredients are fragrances, so pay attention to ingredients in your lotions.
You should also take the time to visit your health care providers. Get your teeth cleaned every six months. Get a regular check-up and have the necessary cancer screenings. Don’t forget to get massages and other holistic services, too. You are worth it.
Read a Book
Some people find great joy in books. They know how to find a good book, and they make time to read. Something is nurturing about spending time in silence, enjoying a good book. When you nurture yourself with reading, pick something you love, not something that you think other people will enjoy. This is about nurturing your spirit.
So, if you want to read a juicy romance, read one. If you want to read a cookbook, do it. This is your time, so fill it with stories that make you happy and offer an opportunity to relax.
If you want to become a reader, there are plenty of ways to find books to enjoy. Go to a local bookstore and talk to one of the workers. People who work in bookstores love books, and they are experts at recommending them. In fact, bookstore employees live for recommending books. It is nurturing for them.
Not surprisingly, many people find bookstores to be centers of nurturing. Local bookstores have vibes that soothe the soul, and not just because of the books. Local bookstores nurture communities as they provide places for people to interact with each other. They often sell items from local artists, and they host enjoyable local events.
For many people, there is nothing better than sitting down with a warm cup of coffee and a great book. If you have a great local bookstore, try doing it there, in one of the overstuffed leather chairs next to your favorite stacks.
Watch a Favorite Movie
Another great way to nurture yourself is to spend a few hours in a dark movie theater. Something is comforting about sitting in the theater along with other moviegoers. Don’t worry about going by yourself, because you shouldn’t talk during a movie anyway. Get a big buttery popcorn and an ice-cold soda while you watch the movie.
Like the books you pick, you shouldn’t hold back on the movies you want to see. If you love animated films, see one. If you love shoot-em-up westerns, just remember to take off your cowboy hat when you enter the theater. See what you want, even if you’ve seen it several times already. Watching a favorite movie is a way to nurture yourself, so it shouldn’t matter what you see, as long as you love it.
Find and Relish in Solitude
If you are exhausted with human interaction, then you might crave some solitude. For some people, they need to take an extended vacation all by themselves. For others, time on a yoga mat is enough. Sometimes, just being alone for a little while fills the need. It is easy to get overwhelmed with too many people because we are unable to listen to ourselves.
When you need to be alone, let your friends and family know, especially if you need extended time alone. You might need to ask for their permission to spend time without you, especially if you fill a significant role in their lives. They should listen to you and accept your need, but they might struggle without you.
Before you leave for your alone time, you might need to prepare the house so your loved ones will survive. Make sure you stocked the kitchen and that everyone knows how to run the dishwasher. If your home and family can function without you for a little while, you will be able to relax without worrying if your spouse and family are eating.
When you finally get time to yourself, soak it in. Solitary moments can be quickly fleeting as the world encroaches on our space.
If you know you won’t be able to get a lengthy solitary vacation, then you should figure out how you can have quiet time throughout your day. For some people, closing and locking the bathroom door is the only way to find solitude. To guarantee that it is your time, set a timer, and tell your loved ones to leave you alone until time is up.
Go Outside
Many people nurture their souls with time outside. Being in nature is good for the mind, body, and spirit. All too often, we are stuck in our cars or with our faces in electronic screens. We have to be mindful about spending time in nature, not just on the sidewalk. You might not be able to go for a hike every day but find time as often as you can to walk around in nature.
Many communities have green spaces and trails; these are places where you can find solitude or a pleasant place to read a book. Take time to explore what your community has to offer. Then, when you get to a trail, walk it without your headphones. Listen to the sounds of nature and let those entertain you.
We weren’t built to be around concrete and computer screens all day. We need to get out into the woods and nurture our bodies with the fresh air. The Japanese coined a term, shinrin-yoku, which means forest bathing. This is taking in all of the senses of nature while walking through the forest. You will feel refreshed and relaxed after intentionally taking time to enjoy the woods.
Get a Massage
One of the best ways to nurture yourself is to get a massage. It doesn’t matter if the massage is 30 minutes or 90 minutes; it will relax your body in a way that nothing else does. But, it is not just a form of pampering. Massage is a therapeutic way to deal with physical and mental issues. It treats everything from anxiety and headaches to sports injuries to digestive disorders.
Look for a licensed massage therapist at a chiropractor’s office or physical therapy office. If you use a licensed therapist at a health care provider, your health insurance might cover the treatment. When you are getting the massage, calm your mind, and focus on the areas being massaged. Let the therapist know if the pressure is too much or not enough. They will adjust.
Try Something New
Learning can be therapeutic and nurturing. You can refresh and renew when you take time to learn something new. You can do this by taking a class at your local craft store, or by listening to a lecture at your local library. You could also try a new exercise class at your gym.
Some people try to learn new things by watching videos. If you do not find this type of learning satisfying, you are not alone. Many people prefer to learn new things from real people. As you are learning, be gentle on yourself. You might make mistakes along the way, so do talk down to yourself as you work to process the new information or skill. Practice makes better, not perfect.
Do Something You Love
The pressures of daily life often take time away from the things we love to do. One of the most satisfying and nurturing activities is crafting. It doesn’t matter what type of craft, being creative feels good. You get to step away from real life for a while and focus your mind on something beautiful.
Don’t be surprised if you feel rejuvenated and refocused after you finish your artwork. Crafting is used as a therapy at mental health centers, because patients find that the act of painting, sculpting, and gluing brings them peace. They are better prepared to focus on getting better after spending time in the craft room.
You don’t even have to be good at a craft to enjoy it. The act of being creative can be enough to nurture your mind and spirit. You can add to your crafting sessions by doing them with friends and by listening to your favorite music. Consider the growing popularity of paint parties around the US. People like to do art, drink wine, and be with their friends and loved ones.
No matter what you decide to do to nurture yourself, do what makes you feel good. You have to take care of yourself because no one is going to do it for you.