How do you take care of yourself?

This is a question I’m asking more regularly as we continue to navigate the pandemic state here in Australia. Feeling into your feelings - acknowledging them and allowing them to be, rather than resisting - can help process your experience of what’s happening.

When you’re in grief it’s good to shift gears into being gentle with yourself, going more slowly than usual, and accepting what you feel rather than resisting or ignoring them as they’re going to come out at some time. It’s better to process as it’s happening rather than storing it and having it come out as frustration with others or yourself later.

When we’re in grief or feeling low, it often means pushing aside some of the ways we take care of ourselves when we’re feeling well. And that’s ok. But when you do feel your energy start to shift back up, it’s a good time to get your well-being non-negotiables back into practice so you don’t stay longer than you need to in your grief and anger. How do you know your energy has shifted? Listen to your body and see what it’s telling you it’s ready for.

When I feel overwhelmed I prioritise rest because this is what my body is telling me I need. Then when I feel myself come out on the other side I start getting back to feeling well by going back to basics: daily meditation, exercise, fresh air, nourishing food, connecting with loved ones, and making space for solitude. Be mindful when you’re practising you're non-negotiables and putting yourself first - you're doing them for you to take care of yourself and your needs. 

People I work with often struggle with seeing self-care as selfish, but putting yourself first and taking care of your needs and well-being is part of having healthy boundaries. Self-care is self-love. When we don’t have love for ourselves, we can get stuck in negative self talk and criticism, often deeply rooted in shame and fear. I won’t delve into that in this post but notice what happens for you in how you talk to yourself when you’re not giving yourself love and care.

For my fellow empaths, givers, helpers and those in helping professions, it can help to remember: when you’re nourished in your own self-love, you’ll have more to give and help others.

Take good care of you.