20 Self Care Tips for Holistic Wellbeing

While the world continues to spin around crazily and here in Australia we move from one covid clusterfuck to another, I think it’s a timely reminder that we should all have a solid self-care routine in place.

Everyone will have their own things they like to do, but the important thing is, that we do actually do them! We need to remember that it’s critical to look after our body, mental wellbeing, emotional health and spiritual self. We don’t work or properly function, if we don’t take care of ourselves holistically. Diet and exercise will not sustain us if we are emotionally or spiritually unhealthy. It’s a package and our wellbeing depends on it.

Here is my go to list of self-care in no particular order:

• Meditation- I try and meditate morning and night but always meditate first thing in the morning.
• Breathing exercises- there are many different practises. I like the Wim Hoff method but there are plenty that you can use to help calm ourselves especially if we are running on the stress response (fight or flight).
• The Vagus Nerve- This nerve carries an extensive range of signals to our digestive system and brain. Breathing exercises and meditation assist with stimulating the vagus nerve as does a cold shower or splashing cold water on your face and back of neck. Parasympathetic activity increases and stress and anxiety decrease.
• Walking in nature– including barefoot on the beach- calming and grounding. Look around and breathe it in.
• Gratitude– there will always be issues to contend with but finding things we are grateful for is incredibly important. I do a gratitude practise each morning.
• Yoga- even if practised a couple of times a week has many benefits for mind, body and spirit. Even the short practise of salute to the sun is a lovely way to stretch and start your day.
• Soak away- A long, deep bath with magnesium, ooh-lala
• Massages– one of my favourite self care treats.
• Music- crank it up, dance, sing and just move your body.
• Laughter– I love to laugh and I do every single day.
• Connect- whether in person or by phone. Human connection and importantly connection to ourselves is crucial for our wellbeing.
• Cry– let it out. There’s nothing more important for self-care than healing and that includes crying. Nothing heals if we bury our emotions. As I’ve said many times the body keeps the score. We need to unpack and feel what needs to be felt.
• Be Vulnerable– be open and authentic and talk about what’s inside of you. Burying shit and distracting yourself will only cause you wounds and pain.
• Sleep– rest when your body needs it and get enough sleep. You’re no use to yourself or anyone else if you’re depleted.
• Feed your body– Feed yourself the good stuff, the right stuff to keep you as healthy as possible. But treat yourself as well 80/20 rule.
• Exercise- Walk, run, do whatever you can to be active and build your fitness and strength.
• Sunshine– is there anything better than feeling those rays touch your shoulders. I love feeling the sun on my skin.
• Read and Learn– I have a practise of learning something new everyday. And I have gone back to reading everyday.
• Do what you love– do a little of something everyday that you love, whatever that maybe for you.
• Give back- this is a huge one for me. I have found giving to others in a kind, non-judgemental and compassionate way is beautifully rewarding and why I volunteer for a crisis line.
• Go within- dig deep and work on yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and dance with your darkness. Don’t be afraid to find those wounds, discover where they came from and start a journey of healing, so you can grow and evolve.

“It is important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself”.