Self Nurture for the Whole Self

Many would say they understand the importance of self-nurture. We understand that self-nurturing behavior allows us to tap into our highest potential. However, self-nurturing behavior does not happen on accident. It comes about by making purposeful choices on how to mentally, physically, and spiritually treat ourselves every day.

Nurturing yourself mentally
We have thousands of thoughts flash through our minds each day. Most of these thoughts are recurring. We can cultivate ourselves mentally by paying attention to what thoughts or stories our minds replay. If the ideas or stories are negative, we can redirect them.

Some self-defeating thoughts may be shame or guilt. Perhaps you are thinking about your past and mentally replaying negative scenarios, constantly reliving the situation and what you did wrong. This is like carrying an eighty-pound backpack as you go through your day.

Another self-defeating thought may be connected with fear. Perhaps as you think about the future, you become worried about all the things that could possibly go wrong. This is self-limiting. It is fearing to take a step forward because you are afraid you might slip and fall.

Instead of getting stuck in negative thought patterns, view this as an opportunity to nurture your mind. If you recognize that you’re getting into negative thought patterns, allow yourself to detach from the story and instead feel the feelings. Once you allow yourself to feel the feelings, pay no attention to the thoughts.

What can we do to nurture ourselves mentally?
Reading spiritual or inspiring books, listening to positive and thought-provoking podcasts, and meditating are several ways to nurture your mind. Become consistent with your self nurture. To reap the benefits of meditating, reading, and self-care, you have to be consistent.

Become mindful in the content you allow yourself to ingest. The TV shows and movies we watch all play a part in what we become. This doesn’t mean you should entirely refrain from watching sarcastic or horrific content, rather, it means that we should consider self-monitoring what we watch. If you feel a particular type of material is affecting your daily thoughts, perhaps you should consider a different kind of programming the next time you watch something.

The body and the mind are the same. Today’s body is a direct print out of yesterday’s mind.

What can we do to nurture ourselves physically?
Have you ever been part of a stressful situation, like a first date or a job interview, and the person opposite you is cracking his or her knuckles or displaying another anxious behavior? That is the print out of a troubled or busy mind. We can nurture our physical selves through meditation. Meditation allows your body to settle and de-excite. This allows our body to repair and rejuvenate from the daily stresses of life.

Besides meditation, there are other ways to nurture ourselves physically. Consider taking Epsom salt baths, getting a massage, or having acupuncture. All three are great ways of releasing toxins from the body and allowing energy to flow more efficiently.

Another great way of nurturing our physical body is to practice yoga. Yoga is an excellent way of connecting your mind and body in a gentle way that doesn’t incur stress. Yin yoga, for example, is a gentle form of yoga that allows you to tune into and listen to your body. Mental nurture, physical nurture like a yoga practice means more than attending a yoga class every two weeks. To receive the benefit of all of these practices, you need to perform them regularly.

While other forms of physical exercise, like CrossFit and running, can benefit the body’s fitness, they are not nurturing to the body.

How do we nurture ourselves spiritually?
Spirituality is forming a union between the individual and the universe. One is nurtured spiritually when entirely at peace with who and where they are. When we nurture the spiritual sides of ourselves, we form a union between our minds and our bodies. We are better able to listen to signals our bodies are sending to us.

Spiritual nurture occurs through meditation. In meditation, we have the opportunity to quiet the mind. As we quiet our minds, our bodies follow suit and begin to settle. This gives us the chance to truly rest and be at peace. In fact, studies show that in meditation, our bodies are at least five times deeper than our deepest states of sleep. This rest is the number one outlet for repairing and rejuvenating the cells in the body.

When you consistently nurture all parts of yourself, your mind, body, and spirit, you can enjoy clearer decision-making, more energy, and will make better choices throughout your day.