Self-care has become a buzzword in recent years, and for a good reason. With the increasing pressure and stress of modern life, taking care of ourselves is crucial to maintaining good mental and physical health. However there is another area of self-care that you might not think about; self-care for your soul. This is the most personal aspect of wellbeing. It is about living a life with meaning and purpose. It is about getting in touch with your values and what really matters to you, so you can live intentionally.
Self-care for your soul or spiritual self care is any ritual or practice that you do to further your connection with who you truly are as an individual, the real you. When you begin to practise consistent spiritual self-care, you can expect to nurture your connection with yourself and a higher power (if you choose to connect with a higher power) and create spiritual practices that fuel both your body and soul.
Wellness-noun
The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.
If we turn to the dictionary, we discover that wellness is the active process of becoming aware of, and making choices towards, a healthy and fulfilling life. It is much more than being free of illness-it is also a dynamic process of change and growth.
This very much means that wellness is something that can be in everyone’s control and shows that regardless of whether we think of ourselves as being well or unwell, we can still go on to deliberately maintain our wellness or even to develop it.
How we care for our souls affects how we care for our minds which affects how we care for our bodies. It’s all connected.
While physical self care is directed at taking care of the body and mental self care is directed at taking care of the mind, spiritual self care is focused on taking care of the soul.
Read the other blog posts in the series here:
Why Making Time to Care for You is So Important
Why Take a Holistic Approach to your Self-Care Practices
The Complete Guide to Self-Care for your Mind
The Complete Guide to Self-Care for your Body
Wellness of Spirit
In today’s hectic technology driven, fast paced world, it can be easy to neglect or ignore our wellness of spirit. But research shows that spirituality through meditation, crystal healing religion or even something of your own making can produce lasting, positive effects on our mental health, self-esteem and confidence, ability to cope with stress and even our physical wellness.
If our wellness of spirit becomes imbalanced, we’re likely to suffer from a variety of negative emotions including stress, anger, dissatisfaction and frustration across all areas of our lives.
When we begin to tune into our spiritual wellness and pay heed to what it is telling us, we have the ability to override the negative emotions that the imbalance results in. By asking simple questions, such as do we feel satisfaction and happiness when we think about our lives, emotions or our capacity to live the life we deserve, we can quickly determine if our wellness of spirit is in balance.
If we find that there is an imbalance in our wellness of spirit, there are several ways we can tune into this area and restore the balance.
Some factors that can help to boost our wellness of spirit include
- Ensuring we live each day to its fullest
- Seeking out the things that bring us satisfaction and fulfilment
- Discover the things that bring us inner peace and contentment
- Reviewing our own personal values and making changes to those that no longer fit with our beliefs
- Practising gratitude
- Seeking ways in which we can strengthen our connection to the Universe
But if you’re new to spirituality and struggle to believe in souls or a higher power then that’s okay too. You may instead choose to see spiritual self care as caring for our inner self and caring for ourselves on a deeper level, by listening to your intuition. Once you start to develop your intuition, you develop an inner knowing about what it is that your soul needs in order to be healthy and happy. You know what it’s craving and spiritual self care becomes about honouring that.
The truth is, spiritual self care can mean whatever it needs to mean for you.
Here is a complete guide to self-care for your soul.
Forgiveness
This is one of the most powerful ways to care for your soul. It involves letting go of resentment and anger towards others and yourself, and moving forward with compassion and understanding.
When we hold onto grudges and resentments, we create negative energy within ourselves that can be toxic and damaging to our mental and emotional wellbeing. We may feel stuck in the past, unable to move forward, and experience feelings of bitterness, anger, and frustration. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems.
Forgiveness can help us let go of these negative emotions and find peace within ourselves.When we forgive ourselves, it allows us to let go of self-blame and move forward with a sense of purpose and self-awareness. Self-forgiveness can also help us learn from our mistakes and grow as individuals.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and fully engaged with your surroundings. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgement. You can practise mindfulness by taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath, observe your thoughts without reacting to them, or simply engage in an activity with your full attention.
Meditate
Meditation is a great way to care for your soul. It can help you quieten your mind, reduce stress, and find inner peace. There are many different types of meditation, from guided meditations to mindfulness meditation. Find a type of meditation that works for you and practise it regularly. Even just a few minutes of meditation each day can help you feel more centred and peaceful.
Connect with Nature
Nature has a way of rejuvenating your soul and connecting us with something greater than ourselves. Spending time in nature can help reduce stress, increase happiness, and improve our overall sense of wellbeing. You can connect with nature by taking a walk in the park, going for a hike, or simply spending time outside in your garden.
Engage in Creative Activities
Engaging in creative activities such as painting, writing, or playing music can be a powerful way to care for your soul. These activities can help you express your emotions, reduce stress, and increase your sense of purpose and fulfilment. You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from creative activities. Try incorporating a creative activity into your daily routine, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
Gratitude
Practising gratitude involves focusing on the positive aspects of your life and expressing gratitude for them. Gratitude can help increase happiness, improve relationships, and reduce stress. You can practise gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank-you notes, or simply taking a few minutes each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for.
Connect with Others
Human beings are social creatures, and connecting with others is essential for your wellbeing. Connecting with others can help reduce stress, increase happiness, and provide us with a sense of belonging. You can connect with others by spending time with friends and family, volunteering in your community, or joining a club or organisation. It all counts.
Self-Compassion
You can practise self-compassion by speaking to yourself with kindness and understanding, acknowledging your feelings, and treating yourself with the same care and compassion you would give to a friend. When you practise self-compassion, you create a safe and nurturing space for yourself to acknowledge and process difficult emotions. You also cultivate a sense of inner strength and resilience that can help you navigate challenging situations with greater ease and grace.
Self-Reflection
Self-reflection involves taking the time to look inward and examine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It can help you gain insight into yourself, identify patterns in your behaviour, and make positive changes in your life. You can practise self-reflection by journaling, meditating, or simply taking a few minutes each day to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
In conclusion, self-care for your soul is an essential component of overall self-care. It involves practices that help us connect with ourselves, others, and something greater than ourselves. By practising mindfulness, connecting with nature, engaging in creative activities, practising gratitude, connecting with others, practising self-compassion, nurturing spirituality, and practising self-reflection, we can care for our souls and improve our overall wellbeing. Remember that self-care for the soul is a journey, and it’s essential to be kind and patient with yourself as you navigate this journey. Incorporating even small practices into your daily routine can have a significant impact on your overall sense of wellbeing.
