It's no secret that self care is important for a healthy mind, body, and spirit. There are millions of podcasts and blog posts about what self care is and what it isn't. To some, self care may include bubble baths and facials; to others, self care involves cuddling with loved ones or creating financial budgets.
Regardless, how we learn to take care of ourselves can make a huge difference in our self care routines. Our makers in recovery had unique insight into the self care process. Here are 12 tips they have learned while in recovery.
1) Focus on yourself instead of what everyone else is doing.
Your life path is unique and specific to you, not to anyone else. Just because someone is moving a little faster or slower or is making different decisions, doesn't mean you have to change the direction you are going! Stay true to yourself and trust you are exactly where you need to be.
2) Learn how to be alone.
While being with others is helpful and important, it is also just as important to spend quality time alone to reflect and decompress without the added pressure of someone else's thoughts or opinions. At the end of the day, all you have is yourself, so learn how to be okay with you.
3) Stay open-minded.
Change can't happen without an open-mind. Allow yourself to be open to things that make you uncomfortable.
4) Be honest with how you're feeling.
Your feelings are 100% valid. Whether you're sad, mad, happy, or don't feel like doing something, it's your responsibility to stay true to yourself and honor your feelings. Not everyone will understand, and that's okay!
5) Accept help and ask for it.
Receiving help can be challenging, especially when you are used to fending for yourself. Remember that it is impossible for one person to know everything. You cannot move if you don't have the resources to do so. Remind yourself that everyone has to receive help sometimes; it's apart of the human experience.
6) Surround yourself with supportive people.
Support is key to moving forward, and your tribe reflects your vibe! Be sure to surround yourself with people who support you.
7) Take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
At the end of the day, nobody can force you to do anything. Your actions are yours and yours alone. Make sure you are making the best decisions for yourself without harming others.
8) Reflect, pray, meditate.
Spending time in reflection is a great way to relieve stress and sort through anything that may be holding you back or weighing you down. It's also a great way to plan for the future or create new goals. Try spending at least 15 minutes per day in reflection.
9) Enjoy your life!
Before you can make lasting change in your life, you must first begin to seek joy. You can find joy in little moments like a cup of coffee, a sunrise, or spending time with friends.
10) Say no!
While difficult to do, saying no is one of the best boundaries you can establish with yourself and others. When you say no, you give yourself the space to honor your feelings and what you truly want. Whether you try to fake it or not, people can tell when you don't want to be somewhere.
11) Forgive yourself.
We all make mistakes; it's apart of being human. No matter how many times you make the same mistake, give yourself grace and learn to practice forgiveness. Our mistakes can teach us valuable lessons when we are open.
12) Love yourself.
Self love is the most important kind of love. People love you the way that you love you. Setting boundaries, saying no, and being proud of the person you are, are all ways to love yourself. When you love yourself, you take care of yourself.
Regardless, how we learn to take care of ourselves can make a huge difference in our self care routines. Our makers in recovery had unique insight into the self care process. Here are 12 tips they have learned while in recovery.
1) Focus on yourself instead of what everyone else is doing.
Your life path is unique and specific to you, not to anyone else. Just because someone is moving a little faster or slower or is making different decisions, doesn't mean you have to change the direction you are going! Stay true to yourself and trust you are exactly where you need to be.
2) Learn how to be alone.
While being with others is helpful and important, it is also just as important to spend quality time alone to reflect and decompress without the added pressure of someone else's thoughts or opinions. At the end of the day, all you have is yourself, so learn how to be okay with you.
3) Stay open-minded.
Change can't happen without an open-mind. Allow yourself to be open to things that make you uncomfortable.
4) Be honest with how you're feeling.
Your feelings are 100% valid. Whether you're sad, mad, happy, or don't feel like doing something, it's your responsibility to stay true to yourself and honor your feelings. Not everyone will understand, and that's okay!
5) Accept help and ask for it.
Receiving help can be challenging, especially when you are used to fending for yourself. Remember that it is impossible for one person to know everything. You cannot move if you don't have the resources to do so. Remind yourself that everyone has to receive help sometimes; it's apart of the human experience.
6) Surround yourself with supportive people.
Support is key to moving forward, and your tribe reflects your vibe! Be sure to surround yourself with people who support you.
7) Take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
At the end of the day, nobody can force you to do anything. Your actions are yours and yours alone. Make sure you are making the best decisions for yourself without harming others.
8) Reflect, pray, meditate.
Spending time in reflection is a great way to relieve stress and sort through anything that may be holding you back or weighing you down. It's also a great way to plan for the future or create new goals. Try spending at least 15 minutes per day in reflection.
9) Enjoy your life!
Before you can make lasting change in your life, you must first begin to seek joy. You can find joy in little moments like a cup of coffee, a sunrise, or spending time with friends.
10) Say no!
While difficult to do, saying no is one of the best boundaries you can establish with yourself and others. When you say no, you give yourself the space to honor your feelings and what you truly want. Whether you try to fake it or not, people can tell when you don't want to be somewhere.
11) Forgive yourself.
We all make mistakes; it's apart of being human. No matter how many times you make the same mistake, give yourself grace and learn to practice forgiveness. Our mistakes can teach us valuable lessons when we are open.
12) Love yourself.
Self love is the most important kind of love. People love you the way that you love you. Setting boundaries, saying no, and being proud of the person you are, are all ways to love yourself. When you love yourself, you take care of yourself.