“Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
Today holds a big ole list of tools in every area of growth that may pique your interest. Explore if you feel called.
Remember: all areas of health and wellness are connected so when you delve into one, you automatically build on the others as well.
Some things such as spending time in nature, practicing yoga, spending time with loved ones (or in solitude), cooking a nourishing meal, gardening, or loving on your pet, could fit into any category. Choose what makes the most sense for you, or add to all.
These tools can also, with time and dedication, become habits.
Have you heard of habit stacking? I initially heard the concept of habit stacking from Kalyn Nicholson. Habit stacking is essentially creating times of day where you knock out three or four habits in a row, chunked together, every day. They all build on one another and you create greater changes in your life without jumping back and forth to your reminders list all day every day. It is easier to remember to do multiple tasks if they lead to each other in a chain reaction.
For example:
Immediately when I wake up I brush teeth, wash my face, take vitamins, drink a glass of water, and start coffee. I very rarely forget to do these things because they all happen together at the same time every day. I might mix up the order I do them in, but they all get done.
Another example could be:
Every day after work I put on my comfy clothes, read a chapter in my book, drink green tea, take my dog for a walk, and spend 15 minutes cleaning my space. Another set of habits that go well together and make sense for that time of day. The more you do them, the less you have to think about them.
Chances are you are already habit stacking (for better or worse) in some areas of your life.
Regardless of if you make these a habit or do them every once in awhile when they call to you, they have the power to enhance the quality and depth of your life.
You are worthy of caring for yourself and having the tools to create the life you desire.
You are worthy of actionable steps toward well-rounded health in every area of life.
You are worthy of time, effort and attention.
| Physical – Move your body – Take a bath – Eat nourishing foods – Hydrate – Take vitamins – Paint your nails – Floss – Tongue scrape – Dry brush – Oil pull – Eat organic and/or local – End your shower with cold – Go in the sauna – Do a cold plunge – Do a face mask – Get a massage – Stretch – Try a new type of workout – Get acupuncture – Visit a float spa – Try a new workout class – Take a food sensitivity test – Limit caffeine/alcohol – Spend time in infrared light – Drink tea – SLEEP. | Emotional – Journal – Go to therapy – Do breathwork – EFT tapping – Have a clearing conversation – Write yourself or someone else a letter – Be silly – Have sex or make time to be intimate with yourself – Shake/estatic dance – Be creative – Social media break – Read – Listen to music – Listen to a podcast – Say yes to something – Say no to something – Do inner child work – Take a road trip or a weekend away – Take a mental health day – Spend a day at home – Do a random act of kindness – Volunteer – Intentional rage release – Laugh or cry – Practice gratitude. |
| Practical – Clean your house – Organize – Pay bills or make a budget – Do taxes – Complete an unfinished project – Create or recognize goals in the workplace – Water plants – Grocery shop – Tidy up your desk – Prepare for an upcoming celebration – Make a list – Clean out your phone – Start a retirement fund – Form a new habit – Schedule an appointment – Care for a pet or child – Meal prep – Do a procrastinated task – Clean out your car – Get a gift – Open a savings account – Update your calendar | Spiritual – Meditate – Do a guided visualization – Pull tarot – Journal – Do automatic writing – Breathwork – Visit a Reiki, theta cell, or angel healer – Dig into astrology – Mantra or Kirtan chanting – Create rituals – Commune – Pray Burn Palo Santo (sustainably sourced) – Work with crystals – Attend a sound bath – Access your Akashic records – Experience the full moon – Spend time in solitude – Connect with Oracle cards – Connect to your guides – Do dream work – Read a book on spirituality |
Remember that there is no true “self-care” without community care. Take care of yourself in order to give back to others, and care for others to give back to yourself.
Resource: Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears
Resource: It Ends with Us: A Novel – This is fiction but also insanely good