To nourish yourself with self-compassion means to prioritise your needs, happiness, and wellbeing.

It isn’t always easy and you might think or feel like you are being selfish, but it can give you strength to get through tough times. It helps you to view weaknesses and failures as opportunities to grow instead of personal flaws. Nourishing and taking care of yourself also helps you have more compassion for others and provides a deeper sense of fulfilment in life.

Below are a few ways to nourish yourself:

Limit your intake of news and social media

Taking a break from worrying about troubling events that are outside of your control can allow for more for self-reflection and activities that make you feel optimistic.

Jump-start spring cleaning

Refreshing your space can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Clean out the dust and dirt and clear out the clutter. Let in some fresh air. Switch vases, pictures, lamps, etc. to a different room to see your living space in a fresh way.

Get a dose of the outdoors

Take a stroll down the street, beside a local stream, or even around your own backyard. Observing the glimpses of nature—the green grass, a beautiful flower, a tall tree, for instance—can nourish your soul!

Feed your dreams

Take a mini vacation day centred around activities that you would like to do on a dream destination. Yearning to visit Paris? Pick up some French pastries at a bakery. View a French film, listen to Parisian music, read a novel set in France, or go on a virtual tour of the Louvre. It’s likely that you will feel a shift in energy!

Turn to something that tickles your funny bone

Having a good laugh can help stoke your feelgood endorphins, reviving your outlook. Watch a funny sitcom or video, book tickets for a stand-up comedy show, or talk with a friend who cracks you up!

**Adapted from Health Advocate