The Secret to Practicing Truly Nourishing Self-Care

There are myriad ways to practice self-care. Meditating. Stretching. Reading. Running. Getting a massage. Taking a long, hot bath. Taking a walk. Going to your favorite restaurant. Dancing. Deep breathing. Writing. Taking a break. Taking a trip. But, at its core, the secret to practicing truly nourishing, supportive self-care is to know yourself. As psychotherapist Kirsten Brunner, MA, LPC, said, “self-care can look very different depending on the temperament and needs of the person.” Brunner, a perinatal mental health and relationship expert based Austin, Texas, asks clients to think about the activities that feel the most relaxing to them. And their answers vary. For one person self-care may be 30 minutes of reading. For another person, self-care is watching a favorite show. For someone else, it’s decluttering and creating a serene space. And for someone else, it’s going out. Self-care also varies within each person. Because we need different things at different times and points in our lives—and we have different opportunities and constraints. If you’re a new parent, you’re naturally limited on time. The same may be true when your school-aged kids are home for spring break. You also might be limited on time if you have a number of work deadlines at the end of the month. In other words, self-care is highly personal and depends on all sorts of factors for each of us. Below, you’ll find suggestions for figuring out the self-care practices that work best for you...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Habits Happiness Mental Health and Wellness Relationships Self-Help Stress down time Relaxation Self Care self-compassion Source Type: blogs