I may be a holistic practitioner but I don’t put pressure on myself (or anyone else for that matter) to achieve the perfect, profound self-care regime.
You won’t find me getting up at 5 am to fit in a 30-step routine before breakfast. Sometimes my self-care takes all of 15 minutes. Still, I don’t beat myself up about not doing as much as other people or not keeping to the same routine every day. That’s the opposite of what self-care is about!
Self-care is about meeting our needs. We can get so caught up in work and worrying about other people that what we need gets lost. Self-care creates space for us to be kind to ourselves, whatever that means for us.
For me, a strict regime isn’t kind because it’s setting myself up to fail. If I lay in bed for an extra 10 minutes or I’m not in the mood for physical exercise, I feel like the worst person in the world for not doing what I said I would.
Letting go of a strict regime has made even more sense since finding out I have ADHD. I struggle to stick to one routine and it’s not easy for me to sit still so a lot of the practices other people swear by won’t work for me. Here’s what I do instead.
Mix-and-Match Self-Care
I still do some kind of self-care most mornings. It’s important to regularly check in with yourself and I like to do something that sets me up for the day before diving into my to-do list. It’s just not a profound, perfect, Instagrammable regime that I follow every single day without fail. I keep it flexible.
Honour my needs
First, I listen to my body. What do I need that day? It won’t be the same every day. It depends on what’s going on in my life, my body and the ebb and flow we all experience. Some days I feel self-doubt piling up and focus on techniques that help me to clear my head. Some days I can feel stress in my body and do physical exercises to shake it off. Then there are days when I just want something quick to set me up for a busy schedule like my 15-minute ritual. The point of self-care is to honour your needs so that’s what I do.
Create a toolkit
When deciding what I need each day, I dip into a toolkit of different self-care practices. I know what works for me and when I find them most helpful so I can match my needs to a technique. It’s like a pick n mix of what I feel will serve me that day. Some practices I end up doing almost daily or weekly. Others I bring in a bit more randomly. I’ve got options to choose from which allows me to meet my needs whatever they may be that day. You might find it helpful to write down a list so you can see your options and what calls to you each morning. Some of my favourites are:
Kundalini yoga - I love how this type of yoga is more spiritual, activating inner energy, balancing chakras and raising awareness by accompanying physical movement with chants and breathwork. Yogigems is my favourite go-to on YouTube when I want to practice in the comfort of my own home.
Alternate nostril breathing - Combined with yoga or meditation or as a quick standalone practice, this is a simple breathwork technique that calms the body and focuses the mind.
Going for a walk - It sounds obvious but it’s easy to forget that getting out of the house, moving your body, breathing fresh air and enjoying nature is a great reset.
Hitting the gym - I personally find physical exercise really beneficial to my mental wellbeing so going to the gym is something I do often to destress and find focus.
Playing singing bowls - Sitting down with a few of my Singing Bowls moves my brain and body into a different state. I feel more relaxed, grounded and aligned.
Ecstatic Dance & 5Rhythms - Dancing is medicine for the soul. It’s one of my favourite practices that gets me out of my head and into my body and allows any emotions to flow through me freely. If I’m feeling stuck, dancing helps me feel free again.
Conscious Connected Breathwork - This is a really powerful type of breathwork to do in group settings. Breathwork helps me shift stagnant energies and old emotions and I always come out feeling lighter and brighter. My favourite Breathworker who offers in-person events and online sessions is Lisa Sibley.
Journaling - I like to do this around the new moon and full moon to focus on what I want to bring into my life or let go of. Journaling can help you put your thoughts into perspective and I often find clarity when I go back and reflect on what I’ve written.
I don’t have one self-care regime and you don’t have to either. It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Some people are great at sticking to routines and actually find it really beneficial. I’m not one of those people. I find meeting myself where I am each morning sets me up for the day much better than forcing myself to follow the perfect routine. Try this mix-and-match method and see how it feels for you.
Ultimately, be kind to yourself. That’s what self-care is all about.
If you’d like to add sound healing to your self-care toolkit, I’d be happy to show you how in a workshop at my showroom in Bristol. Together, we can start or expand your collection and work on your technique and confidence in playing bowls. Book an appointment and I’ll see you soon.
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