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Self-Care:
Nurturing Your Spirit
by Sue Staropoli, M.A.
What Can Drain Or Weaken Your
Spirit?
- Seeking approval of others (people-pleasing)
- Activities
- Situations/environments
- Negative thinking
- Emotional baggage - unresolved past hurts
- Busy-ness (Chinese character for busy = "heart/killing")
- Focusing on problems
- People
- Living in fear
- Self-limiting beliefs
- Self-doubt and self-judgment
- Ignoring or "stuffing" emotions
- Losing touch with your own desires and dreams
- Unhealthy foods, drinks etc.
- Unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others
- Living from "shoulds"
- Wanting things to be other than they are
Actions That Can Nurture Your Spirit
- Slowing down
- Activities that soothe your spirit (e.g. art, music, crafts,
etc.)
- Breathing exercises
- Living in the present - doing only one thing at a time
Laughter
- Taking a nature walk
- Spiritual practices:
- Prayer
- Meditation
- Fasting
- Reflection/study
- Movement practices: T'ai chi, Yoga
- Meaningful religious services and practices
- Seeking support to deal with unresolved emotional issues
(counseling, spiritual direction, etc.)
- Consciously avoiding behaviors, products and environments
that are toxic to your well-being (body, mind, spirit)
- Surrounding self with supportive individuals and communities
Doing things that you enjoy!
- Keeping a gratitude journal
- Making choices to maintain a balanced lifestyle - body,
mind, family, society, finances
- Doing something every day just for yourself!
- Exercise (that is right for you)
- Noticing and enjoying the beauty of nature
- Using energy products/exercises that boost your body's
natural healing
- Body/mind/spirit treatments (e.g. Reiki, Integrated Energy
Therapy, magnetic massage, spiritual direction)
- Nourishing your body with much quality water as well as
healthy, organic food
- Identifying what nurtures your spirit and doing more of
it!
- Identifying what drains your spirit and doing less of
it!
- Developing intimate relationships to deepen your self-awareness
and self-acceptance
- Volunteering
Thinking Patterns (Attitudes) That
Can Nurture Your Spirit
- Looking for the positive in every person and situation
- Letting go of the illusion of control (when things don't
go your way) - knowing you don't have the full picture
- Nourishing your mind with positive, life-giving, joy-enhancing
thoughts, habits and experiences
- Identifying and changing beliefs that add stress (e.g.
I have to be perfect, I have to please everyone, etc.)
- Noticing and enjoying the blessings of each day - i.e.
attitude of gratitude
- Listening to your body - and following its wisdom
- Starting each day with the intention of giving and receiving
kindness in every contact throughout the day
- Practicing forgiveness and compassion
- Hearing and following the guidance of your own deepest
desires and values - not others' needs or expectations of
you
- Living in harmony with your own spirit and life purpose.
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