Self love is so necessary. Let's breakdown some conventional and not so conventional ways to love yourself and practice self-care.
Some practical self-love tips that are easy to implement in daily life:
- Daily affirmations journal - Start each morning by writing three positive affirmations about yourself. This practice helps build self-esteem and sets a positive tone for the day. Keep the journal by your bedside for easy access. Be sure to checkout the journals in the shop. Some of our guided journals are as powerful as traditional therapy. They offer you a gateway for deeper thought.
- Technology-free evenings - Set aside the last hour before bed as a no-screen time. Instead, use this time for relaxing activities like reading, gentle stretching, or listening to calming music. This can improve sleep quality and reduce stress.
- Mindful eating practice - Once a day, eat a meal without any distractions. Focus on the flavors, textures, and sensations of your food. This promotes better digestion and a healthier relationship with eating. Listen in to this incredible episode on the Blossom Your Awesome Podcast all about the Art Of Savoring with Pleasure Coach David Brower.
- Five-minute breathing breaks - Set reminders throughout your day for short breathing exercises. Take five deep, slow breaths, focusing on the sensation of air entering and leaving your body. This simple practice can reduce stress and increase mindfulness.
Now for some out of the box stuff here are 4 unconventional ways to practice self-care tips:
- Forest bathing - Immerse yourself in nature by taking a slow, mindful walk through a forest or wooded area. This Japanese practice, known as "shinrin-yoku," has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost immune function. Focus on engaging all your senses as you move through the natural environment. Watch this short video I put together with Nature Connection Coach Hana Lee Goldin.
- Laughter yoga - Combine laughter with yogic breathing exercises in this unique practice. Even if the laughter starts off forced, it often becomes genuine and contagious. Laughter yoga can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost your immune system. Join a class or try it at home with online videos.
- Float therapy - Experience deep relaxation in a sensory deprivation tank filled with body-temperature salt water. Floating weightlessly in darkness and silence can reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve sleep quality. Many find it promotes creativity and introspection as well.
- Tongue scraping - This Ayurvedic practice involves gently scraping your tongue with a specially designed tool each morning. It can improve oral hygiene, enhance your sense of taste, and may even boost your immune system by removing toxins and bacteria. It's a quick addition to your morning routine with potential full-body benefits.
A few more way out there ways to practice self-care tips. These are very much outside the norm:
- Ice bath karaoke - Combine the benefits of cold therapy with the joy of singing. Set up a small inflatable pool filled with ice water, hop in, and belt out your favorite tunes. The cold exposure can boost your immune system and reduce inflammation, while singing releases endorphins and reduces stress.
- Reverse day - Live an entire day in reverse order. Start with dinner, work backwards through lunch and breakfast, and end your day with a "goodnight" coffee. This shakes up your routine, challenges your brain, and can provide a fresh perspective on your daily habits.
- Lego meditation - Instead of traditional meditation, focus your mind on building with Lego bricks. The tactile nature of the bricks and the creative process can be deeply relaxing and mindful. Create without a plan, letting your hands guide you while your mind clears.
- Plant whispering - Dedicate time to talk to your houseplants or garden. Share your thoughts, worries, or dreams with them. While plants don't understand your words, verbalizing your feelings can be therapeutic. Plus, the extra attention and CO2 from your breath might even help your plants thrive.
These unconventional methods combine elements of play, mindfulness, and novelty to refresh your self-care routine.
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