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Ideas for Self-Nurturing--Fill Up Your Well of Reserve!

Go ahead. Unleash your giggling exuberance! Think of children splashing around in a swimming pool or discovering a FUN activity! Has it been too long since YOU giggled?

If you're feeling drooped, perhaps you have delight deficiency syndrome and you need to spend some time on you! You may have lost perspective and your positive attitude may have slipped south.

Sometimes we humans fall into a funk and feel overwhelmed. That's the time when we need self-nurturing and perhaps we would benefit from not being so uptight...from letting go and slowing down.

We might benefit from watching "The playfulness and joy of a dog, its unconditional love and readiness to celebrate life at any moment often contrast sharply with the inner state of the dog's owner--depressed, anxious, burdened by problems, lost in thought, not present in the only place and only time there is: Here and Now. One wonders: living with this person, how does the dog manage to remain so sane, so joyous?" *

Listen to my favorite music Enjoy a long, warm bubble bath * Go for a walk * Share a hug with a loved one * Relax outside * Practice feeling contented * Physical activity (of my choice) * Spiritual prayer *Attend a caring support group * Practice diaphragmatic breathing * Do stretching exercises * Reflect on my positive qualities:   “ I am…” * Watch the sunrise/sunset * Laugh * Concentrate on a relaxing scene Create a collage representing   “the real me” Receive a massage * Reflect on: “I appreciate….” Write my thoughts and feelings   in a personal journal Attend a favorite athletic event Do something adventurous! Read a special book or magazine * Sing, hum, dance or whistle a happy tune! Play a musical instrument * Spiritual meditation Work with plants (gardening) Learn a new skill See a special play, movie or concert Work out with weights Ride a bike or motorcycle Make myself a nutritious meal Draw/paint a picture * Swim, float, wade, relax in a    pool, or on the beach Do aerobics/dance Visit a special place I enjoy * Smile & say : “I love myself.” * Take time to smell the roses    (and other flowers I enjoy!) * Imagine myself achieving my    goals and dreams Go horseback riding Enjoy a gourmet cup of herbal    tea or coffee Participate in a favorite sport,     game, recreation * Practice a relaxation exercise * Practice  the art of forgiveness

* Reflect on “my most enjoyable    memories” * Enjoy a relaxing nap Visit a museum/art gallery * Practice yoga Relax in a whirlpool /sauna Enjoy a cool, refreshing glass of    water or juice * Enjoy the beauty of nature * Count my blessings: “I am    thankful for…” * Play as I did as a child * Star gaze- stay up late, get up    early! * Window shop * Daydream * Tell myself the loving words I    want to hear from others Attend a special workshop Go sailing/paddleboating Reward myself with a special    gift I can afford Take myself on a vacation Create with clay/pottery * Practice positive affirmations * Pet an animal * Watch my favorite TV show * Reflect on my successes: “I     CAN….” Make a bouquet of flowers * Relax: watch the clouds Make myself something nice * Visit a park/woods/forest Read  positive, motivational    literature * Reflect on: “What I value most    in life…” Phone a special friend Go on a picnic in a beautiful    setting * Practice feeling awe for life Treat myself to a nutritious meal    at a favorite restaurant Participate in a hobby * Discover a new place * Hug a tree! * “Meow” with a cat; “ bark “   with a dog, “chirp” with a bird ! * Create my own list of self-    nurturing activities

For a PDF version of these ideas: Bob's Ideas for Self-Nurturing.pdf

Frolic around:

• CELEBRATING The Simple Joys Of Life!

• Shine The Light of Self-Care on Yourself to Transform Inner Pain!

• Self-Nurturing Restorative Box

• An Alphabetical Guide to Zestful Living

• Gratitude List,

• and Be Happy!

 

Books:

• Women’s Comfort Book, by Jennifer Louden, (1992), Harper-Collins, NY This book is terrific! It includes HUNDREDS OF practical suggestions on how to begin caring for yourself. It includes a thorough section on "self-care at a glance." http://www.jenniferlouden.com/ and self-care newsletter: http://www.comfortqueen.com/newsletter.html#minder

• Self Parenting-The Complete Guide To Your Inner Conversations, by Dr. John K. Pollard, III, (1987), Generic Human Studies Publishing This book includes lots of fun pictures and explores terrific journaling techniques to explore connecting with your inner emotional self and changing the "feeling tone" of your relationship with yourself.

• The Only Diet There Is, Sondra Ray explains in her book, that if we forgive the past, drop negative thoughts and resentments, stop being victims—we drop our fat as well. She asserts that as we release our negativity, we release excess weight in our minds, hearts, and in our bodies. I used this book extensively and found all of the exercises and affirmations to be quite helpful. Copyright date is 1981 by Celestial Arts Publishers. You'll find it at www.Amazon.com

• Living Juicy-Daily Morsels For Your Creative Soul, & The Bodacious Book of Succulence by SARK (1994), Celestial Arts, Berkeley, California. For a catalog, call:  (800) 841-BOOK. These books (and SARK'S Web site) are SO MUCH FUN and are delightfully colorful! http://www.planetsark.com/ at Plantet SARK!

Take Time for Your Life, Life Makeovers, Stand Up for Your Life, by Cheryl Richardson, (1999 – 2002), Broadway Books, New York, NY.

Take Time for Your Life: A Personal Coach's 7-Step Program for Creating the Life You Want provides a program for creating the life that is in HARMONY, and allows you to BALANCE THE LOVE AND SUPPORT THAT YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WITH THE CARE YOU GIVE TO YOURSELF! Gives 52 practical & inspiring ways to improve your life one week at a time. 

These books are excellent! Electronic newsletter at:  www.Cherylrichardson.com  

 

On-Line Resources:

For a wonderful story by Robert Munsch, called Love You Forever found at http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/loveforever.htm.

For other stories: http://www.robertmunsch.com/storytime.cfm  and hear him at http://www.robertmunsch.com/playstory.cfm?bookid=40 (works with a RealPlayer)

* Hugs! * Hugs! * Hugs! * Hugs are fat-free, sugar-free, and require no batteries. Hugs reduce blood pressure, body temperature, and relieve pain and depression. Hugs brighten the day and lighten the heart! Discover Free HUG coupons at: http://www.worldhealing.net/hug.html

To see and print-off examples: Various Hug Coupons.pdf It requires a Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Things To Nurture Yourself With and a Little Bit of Humor Too...
See also: http://www.care-givers.com/pages/resources/online/nurturesites.html#Anchor From Empowering Caregivers™

Fun In Recovery! from Sober Recovery: http://www.soberrecovery.com/links/funinrecovery.html

*Stillness Speaks, (2003), by Eckhart Tolle, Namaste Publishing and New World Library. From the Introduction: "The only function of a spiritual teacher is to help you remove that which separates you from the truth of who you already are and what you already know in the depth of your being." Enjoy discovering your inner being! See also Practicing The Power of Now, (1999), by Eckhart Tolle.
Namaste Publishing promotes Eckhart's books and other materials. Their mission is: "To make available publications that acknowledge, celebrate, and encourage others to express their true essence and thereby come to remember Who They Really Are." Find them at:  www.namastepublishing.com/  
Namasté means, "I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light and of peace, when you are in that place in you and I'm in that place in me, we are one."

             Copyright © 2001-2022 Bob Wilson BS, DTR  All Right Reserved. Articles are for personal use only. Please request permission for other uses. Thanks!