#therapyiskey

Will you be taking time to do something for yourself this week?

It’s important to show compassion for others; how often do we treat ourselves with that same level of kindness, rarely. One of the best things we can do for our minds and bodies is to take a break. Sometimes we need a gentle reminder that we are valuable and are worth loving. This begins with loving yourself and incorporating self-care into your daily routine.

For some people, adding self-care into a busy schedule can seem inconvenient, even intimidating. They may also feel as though they are being selfish! Their first reaction might be, “I don’t have time for self-care,” or “I have too many other things to do, I have four kids, dogs and work. I’ll relax later when I get a chance". Repeatedly putting the needs of others before our own can lead to a lack of “me time”. This may create stress and resentment toward the people around us and prevent us from being our best most authentic self.

I have come up with ten easy, self-loving activities to do this week.

Perhaps you might like to try a few of these suggestions.

1. Eat healthily and mindfully. Too often we eat our meals while multitasking during the week, denying ourselves the pure experience of a nourishing meal. Do you work on the computer when having dinner or are you on the phone when having dinner with a loved one? Do you sit and eat your meals in front of the TV or just not have a healthy meal at all? Treat yourself and allow yourself to indulge in a wholesome meal without any distractions, enjoy each mouthful.

2. Keep track of your accomplishments. While it is great to have a daily “to-do” list to keep our crazy days on track, we must also recognize the things we’ve done. At the end of each day, make a different list (either mental or write it out) of the productive things you’ve done that day. Did you nurture a relationship? Do the laundry? Complete a work assignment? Did you nourish your body with good wholesome food? Or just manage to have positive thoughts throughout the day. No matter how small, you deserve a pat on the back. So give yourself one.

3. Express gratitude. Start by opening a dictionary or googling the word "gratitude". As children, we are often told be “grateful for what you've got”, without even knowing why or what we should be grateful for. Just as it’s beneficial to keep track of our accomplishments, it’s also good to notice what we have and deeply understand the true meaning of gratitude. Keep a journal by your bed, and note down the things that you feel lucky to have. It doesn't have to be a full page. Everything from clean sheets to a good friend is worth noting. Current research shows that fostering patterns of gratitude grows new neural pathways.

4. Gift your inner child. Start by closing your eyes and think of a time when you were happy as a child, maybe it was a fond memory or a feeling. Keep your eyes closed and hold onto that feeling. What were some of your favorite things you did you when you were little? Did you love drawing pictures, picking flowers, or eating something extraordinary, perhaps there was a song you remember hearing that made you feel especially happy? Treat your inner child to a little present this weekend and allow the warm feelings to wash over you, really taking it in.

5. Create a loving space in your home. Mess is cluttered energy, and often we walk over that same pair of shoes before we put it away. Not because we are lazy but things start to look familiar in their place, and before we know it we have clutter, mess and cluttered energy piling up. Does your bedroom look the way you want it? If it doesn’t, maybe add some candles, fun throw pillows or shake it up and move the furniture around. By building a space that feels warm and inviting, you establish an inviting retreat for when tough times arise. Perhaps every time you walk upstairs or back into your bedroom take one thing back with you.. before you know it..... Tidy!

6. Read a book. Finding a book you love is a great way to feel happy. It feels lovely to look forward to a good story, and the act of reading helps encourage a sense of peace. Even if you don't read or perhaps you don't have a book, why not look up some poetry online or take a trip to the library. A poem is a magical tool for transporting yourself into someone else's shoes momentarily and seeing a different perspective on life.

7. Move. Move. Move. What people say about exercise and endorphins are true; getting active increases feelings of happiness. This doesn’t mean you need to hit the gym or sign up for the Tough Mudder with a group of 12 of your "closest" friends. Just put on your activewear and find a form of physical activity that works for you. Go dancing, enjoy a Saturday morning adventure, or go on a bike ride. I even like walking along the beach with my feet just sweeping the waves and hearing the ocean; that’s when I can really breathe.

8. Unplug Instagram and Facebook have some benefits, but does it really make you feel better to expose yourself to everyone’s online versions of himself or herself? Most often people only report on their success, so it can be hard when you’re comparing your entire life to everyone’s highlight reels. Take the time to break away from social media, and allow yourself to focus on the beauty of the moment and just be. Perhaps Sunday afternoon is phone free or no electronics.. See how you go…..

9. Create something. Whether it’s a batch of brownies or a pastel drawing, getting artistic allows us to feel mindful and productive. You may not be the most creative, but doing something creative helps to nurture our inner child. It may not be the best drawing or cake you've ever made, but so what? Not being perfect and making mistakes is ok.

10. Use kind words to yourself. Without knowing it, we beat ourselves up, put ourselves down and trash talk our best efforts. That inner voice can be crippling; we criticize ourselves, our looks, or worry what others will think of us. "Oh! I won't possibly get that promotion" or "maybe when I look better I'll be happy". Try something new. Why not take notice of how many negative comments you make about yourself in a day (I think you'd be surprised). When you catch yourself out, stop! Mindfully turn the comment around and in your boldest voice say something positive to yourself. For example, "these pants are so tight, I look horrible," flip it into – “these pants are tight, I am working on getting healthy and fit and conscious of how I am feeling right now. I am perfect the way I am”.