We all need self-care and there’s no better way to show yourself some love than by creating meaningful rituals. Self-care rituals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. They just need to be something that helps you take care of your body, mind, and spirit. From a simple yoga practice to taking a hot bath with essential oils, there are countless ways to practice self-care and nurture yourself. In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of self-care and how to create meaningful rituals that will help you stay balanced and grounded.
Taking care of yourself should be a top priority. You cannot effectively take care of others if you’re not taking yourself. It’s like the airlines say, “please put on your own mask first before helping others”.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Anything that nurtures your physical, mental and/or spiritual wellbeing is self-care. Even getting a good night’s sleep counts! A self-care ritual is just something you do to take care of yourself on a regular basis.
The following self-care rituals are just a few examples. Feel free to modify these rituals to fit your needs, or come up with your own unique ways to show yourself some love.
Listen To Your Body
This is a really great self-care ritual as it helps you to monitor your health so that you notice changes. Taking the time to check in with yourself and pay attention to how you’re feeling is so important and is a skill that you get better at over time. Make it part of your daily routine to pause and really listen to your body. Don’t wait until something goes wrong – like an injury or illness – to take note. You deserve to be mindful of your wellbeing.
Ideally, choose a time when you can be alone and find a place to relax. It should be quiet, though you can put on some music if you like. Close your eyes, calm your mind, and concentrate on what your body and mind have to say. Do you have aches? Anxiety? Tension? Is anything out of sync? Make this a regular routine and you’ll be better equipped to spot changes and take any necessary action to look after yourself.
Thinking Time
Most of us don’t take the time to just sit and think. We’re so busy with our day-to-day lives that we forget to take a step back and reflect on our choices, actions, and dreams. It’s very important for our mental wellbeing, yet we often overlook it. Who can blame us when we’re so busy? Taking a few moments to just think can do wonders for our mental health.
It does require prioritisation. You can find time if you give it a high enough priority. Put it in your calendar and make sure nothing gets in the way. If it helps to get it done then put on some music and get yourself a cuppa but take the time to relax and think. Spend 10 minutes or so just reflecting and getting in touch with your thoughts.
Make Time For Play
It’s time to get playful. As adults, we still need to make time for play. Whether it’s a hobby, a sport, reading, or gardening – make a ritual out of doing it and schedule it in. But only if it’s for your own enjoyment and not a chore or task to be ticked off. What’s your favourite way to play? Make it a priority and have some fun. My hubby and I have started a Sunday ritual of building some lego together. I’m sure it’s not everyone’s idea of fun but it works for us. Bonus – it’s fun time shared with each other.
Creating meaningful rituals can be a great way to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive – it just needs to be something that brings you joy and makes you feel good. Whether that’s listening to your body, taking time to think, or time to play, make sure to take time out of your day to practice some self-care. You deserve it.