8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Naturally
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Feeling run down? Unbalanced? Like something just isn’t quite right with your body? Maybe it’s time for some much-needed self-care.
Friends, I’ve been so run down and off-balanced I’m surprised I could even stand, let alone find my way back. Fibromyalgia is no joke and can knock you for a loop. That was, and sometimes still is, my struggle.
In this blog I’m going to share with you eight self-care ideas that help me stay balanced and stress-free. I’ll be sharing about:
· Aromatherapy
· Coloring
· Earthing
· Herbal Baths
· Journaling
· Meditating
· Rest
· Walking
So, if you’re feeling like you need some self-care, get back to your old self, and do it all naturally well, then, my friend, you are in the right place.
In my mid to late twenties, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. And it took me down hard! For months there were so many doctor appointments, tests, blood work, and X-Rays. All the while I was getting sicker and sicker.
Finally, I found a holistic chiropractor that diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. His approach to health saved my life and is how I began my journey to where I am now.
Fibromyalgia brings many symptoms. One of mine is anxiety and panic attacks. I am happy to say with a healthy diet, and these self-care practices, my fibromyalgia and anxiety stay under control and my body feels balanced.
Here are some self-care ideas you can start today.
1. Aromatherapy
Did you know that smell has the most direct connection to the brain of all the senses? It’s also linked with memory and emotion. So naturally there are smells that can calm the mind and the body. That’s where aromatherapy comes in to play here with self-care.
My favorites are lavender and chamomile. This is my go-to at bedtime when my anxiety likes to show its ugly head. But another good one is hyssop (good for anxiety and stress) which pairs well with geranium (good for mood balancing and stress).
Diffusers are a wonderful way to get essential oils into the air. Another fantastic way is in the tub. Taking a bath with essential oils is one of my favorite self-care practices. Just a couple drops will do the trick!
If you’re new to aromatherapy and not sure exactly where to start, here is a book that I go to frequently. It’s called Aromatherapy for Everyone. It has a lot of useful information and can get you started. Or if you are looking for just a little more information, check out my blog 5 Essential Oils for Beginners.
2. Coloring
Oh, my word! When I first heard about coloring for self-care and anxiety/stress, my first thought was-okay, I’m not five, how is this supposed to help? Well, it did and it’s probably one of my very favorites and most effective. Coloring induces the same state as meditating (which I’ll get to later) by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind. It generates quietness, which allows your mind to rest. Add some relaxing music (my favorite is The Piano Guys), give me twenty minutes and I feel like a brand-new person!
My niece gave me this one and it’s great to take everywhere. I keep it in my nightstand, but I’ve used it in the car rider line, on an airplane, and just on the couch. Grab some colored pencils and take a coloring book with you in case the need (or want) to color hits! You will be amazed at how relaxed you feel after.
3. Earthing
Earthing is also called Grounding. And it’s so simple. At least twenty minutes with your bare feet on the ground.
Let me tell you how it works. Earthing simply means you are connected to Mother Earth. When you are connected to the Earth, then your body becomes permeated with the negative charged free electrons present on the surface of the Earth. Your body then equalizes to the same electric energy level as the Earth.
A few years ago, I had veered off my course of keeping my body and mind balanced and ended up with a pretty bad panic attack. Before I even knew what Earthing was, my body knew I needed it. I listened to it and went and laid in my back yard. My body immediately began to relax, my mind began to calm, and within minutes my panic attack was gone.
If you want more information on Earthing, I highly recommend the book Earthing. I found it fascinating and learned so much about what all Earthing can do for the body. You can also check out my blog Why You Should Be Grounding and What To Do If You Can't and learn how you can get the same benefits when you can’t get to the ground.
4. Herbal Baths
Okay, so I really like baths! They’re my favorite self-care practice. It’s my me-time, with no interruptions from the hubby, kids, or dog.
Herbal baths are used to relax the mind, soothe sore muscles and promote supple skin. In addition, herbal baths can fight colds, reduce aches and pains, improve circulation, and lift moods.
Herbs and essential oils are similar-just different forms. It’s all about preference. However, this herbal bath is AMAZING and highly recommended. It's also easy to DIY by finding the herbs you like and help you relax (lavender, chamomile, passion flower, and holy basil are popular choices) , put them in a herbal bath bag, then let the water run over the bag as you fill the tub. Simple!
5. Journaling
Once you get the hang of journaling, it can be extremely beneficial. A lot of folks think to journal you have to know exactly what to say and how to say it in a profound and meaningful way. True, some just have a way with words. While others can struggle to string words together to create a sentence. And both are okay and can journal successfully.
Your page in your journal is just that-your page in your journal. It can be just random words that come to your mind that may or may not make sense. Or they can be complete thoughts. Don’t be afraid of what comes out on paper. Do not think too hard about it. Just start writing and watch the benefits just start flowing.
Journaling reduces the unhealthy practice of replaying painful events over and over in your mind. It’s also good for stress, anxiety, depression, creativity, and overall wellbeing. So, grab that pen and paper and get started!
6. Meditating
Whether you are spiritual, religious, or neither, meditating can be used as a time for yourself to just be. Meditation is used all over the world and has so many benefits, including reducing stress, improving memory, increasing attention, lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety and depression, and helps with sleep.
There are several ways to meditate. So, if you are interested in trying it, make sure you find one you are comfortable with. If you are just beginning this practice, start small with only a few minutes. At first, your mind is really going to start wandering and you are going to catch yourself thinking about your to-do list and all sorts of things. That’s fine, it happens to everyone. When you realize, just bring your focus back to what you are doing. Some like guided meditation where you focus on a particular image, smell, or sound. Others like to sit in a quiet room and repeat a mantra, or just be in silence. Personally, I like to combine meditation with prayer by turning the lights off with a few candles burning or some fairy lights turned on. I will diffuse lavender essential oil and sometimes put on (volume low) very relaxing music. I sit in a comfortable position, close my eyes, and focus on my breath. To keep my mind on the task at hand, I keep repeating until I feel I am done.
Find what works for you and get started!
7. Rest
This is a hard one. It took me many years to realize how rest is so necessary in taking care of ourselves. Our bodies, mind, and spirit all require rest, and it is okay to listen when they are saying they need rest.
Rest does not always mean sleep. (But a nap is always a good idea!) Sometimes it is our mind that needs the rest. Sometimes it is our spirit. Sitting outside early in the morning, without the distraction of a phone, and just listening to nature, reading a book, shopping, or chatting with a friend are all effective ways to give yourself a break from the stress you’re dealing with. Sometimes it is sitting in complete silence is what you need. We feel happier when we rest because it allows us to recharge. So do not feel guilty when you need to take a break. Schedule it if you must help you remember how important it is. However, you can fit it in, make it a priority, and rest.
8. Walking
Not only is walking great exercise, but it is also a great stress reducer. It is good for your emotional and psychological wellbeing. Anything that gets you moving helps your mind and reduces worry and anxiety.
Walking, specifically, calms you down by sparking nerve cells in the brain that relaxes the senses. It helps to relax the muscles and relieves tension in the body. When your body feels better, so will your mind.
Whatever you can fit into your day can be beneficial. Don’t think you can’t do it because you only have ten minutes. Instead think that you get ten minutes to walk. Take advantage and get to it.
This is your one and only body, your one and only mind, and your one and only spirit. Please take care of it. They each work best when each is healthy. So, take the time, put in the effort, take the break.
I truly wish you well, my friend.
Love,
Kelly