An A to Z of self-care.

Self-care is nourishment for your head, heart, and body. Self-care can get labelled as being, too hard to do, selfish, or an indulgence.

Self-care helps you to be a more compassionate, human being. It helps us cope and recover from illness, stress, loss, and change.

Self-care offers us a protective function. Meditation and kindfulness have a cardio protective benefit, forming a buffer against stress.

Self-care helps us flourish as individuals and be the best version of ourselves.

Self-care doesn’t have to be yet another thing on our to-do list we feel guilty if we don’t do it. Self-care can look like, saying no, resting, and giving yourself permission to ignore the busy and make a ta da list instead of a to do one.

What's a Ta Da list? You start with a blank piece of paper and when you do something, no matter how gentle or small you write it down. For example, ‘I went for a walk today and noticed the golden colours of the leaves of an Acer on my walk.’ Ta Da! With a page that's blank there's no pressure. a blank page gives space for endless opportunities for ta da moments.

An A to Z of self-care.

Acceptance. Be radical about accepting all your parts.

Boundaries are beautiful and essential for self-care.

Compassion, for yourself first, then it overflows to all those around you. If you find the idea of putting you first, think 'me as well.'

Do not make your self-care something to feel bad about. This is something to bring you joy and help fill your cup. Not another thing you have to do. In an ideal way it'd be non negotiable in your life but I've seen people then get stressed because they haven't done it! 🙋🏻‍♀️Guilty!

So, when we recognise old habits creeping back like putting everyone else first and spinning too many plates remember it's safe to put something down.

Take a breath, give yourself some compassion for the wonderful human you are and follow the joy...

Express yourself in a rainbow of ways. All your parts are beautiful.

Follow your gut, I assure you, it will more than likely be right.

Gratitude, find it, even on your darker days.

Health is everything, look after it the best you can.

Invite softness into your life, think gentle, think lightness, think expanse.

Just breathe...

Know yourself and be true to who you are.

Learn from all your experiences, each will have a nugget of information for you.

Meditation is a way to come back to yourself, your breath, your body, your home.

Non-negotiables. Work out what they are and stick to them.

Open your heart to all opportunities, you never know what something might lead to.

Patience is learnt and a constant practice.

Question everything, but remain open to change.

Rest and re boot your mind, body and soul whenever it needs it.

Self-care is not selfish, it is a self-loving act.

Take your own sweet time, do not be rushed. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Understanding yourself is a beautiful discovery.

Visualise yourself as your own best friend, then treat yourself accordingly.

Walk, move, dance, sway, do whatever you like but movement is key to your mental and physical wellbeing.

Xylem is a type of tissue that transports water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. This is just an interesting fact as I couldn’t think of a word beginning with X to fit into this piece. It's also is a gentle reminder to stay hydrated!

You are enough, just as you are.

Zero is the number of sh***s you need to give if someone tries to put you down or make you feel small in any way shape or form.

This list is meant to be light hearted, added to and changed to suit your own needs. Please drop a comment below if you have any of your own you'd like to add to this list. I'd love for someone to come up with one for X?!

And if you'd like an hour of self-care for your mind body and soul get yourself booked in now, I can't wait to see you.

Go gently,

Karen 🌿