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be kinder to yourself

6 Ways to Be Kinder to Yourself

Are you kind to yourself?


Regardless of how generous, caring, and wonderful each of us may be, most of us forget to look after ourselves. Are you forgetting this vital part of self-care? If you’re not giving yourself the kindness you deserve, you can’t expect to enjoy a healthy level of emotional and spiritual wellness. You may be asking, how do you show yourself some much-deserved kindness?

 

Being kind to yourself is also a happiness habit. Like all habits, you start with self-reflection. Examine how you are currently handling situations and how you can do it in ways that are more compassionate. Extend the grace that you allow others to yourself. Let’s look at six ways to be kinder to yourself.

Forgive yourself. This might seem simple, but it’s often the hardest thing for many people to do. When someone we love makes a mistake, we’re keen to jump in and forgive them. Yet somehow, we’re often too hard on ourselves and refuse ourselves that same forgiveness.

  • Mistakes are opportunities to learn. By forgiving yourself and learning the lesson that is presented, you’re more likely to avoid repeating the same mistake. 
  •  The next time you find yourself being angry with something you’ve done, said, or thought, take a step back. Ask yourself how you would respond to a friend who had done the same thing. If you would forgive someone else, try to forgive yourself, too. Remember that you are human. Here are more strategies to help through forgiveness.

be aware of your thoughts and feelings to be kinder to yourself.

Photo by Vie Studio courtesy of Pexels.com

Nourish your physical health. Nourishing your physical health requires a constant commitment. However, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

  • For example, the next time you have lunch, ask yourself if you can choose the slightly healthier option. If you’re too tired to make something from scratch, ensure that you have some frozen meals ready to go, instead of picking up some fast-food. 
  • Also, brainstorm ways you can add small bits of extra physical activity into your day. For instance, could you walk to the store rather than driving there? Not only will you get some extra exercise, but you’ll also save money on fuel and reduce your impact on the earth too.

Get help when you need it. It’s easy to assume that you’re on your own when it comes to dealing with difficult things. However, help is often around if you’re willing to ask for it.

  • If you’re struggling at work with a range of tasks that are too much for you to handle on your own, speak to your boss and ask for guidance. 
  •  If you’re worried about your anxiety levels or mental health, don’t hide in your room and try to “get over it” on your own. Speak to a therapist or talk to your doctor about your options. Getting the right help when you need it can save you weeks and months of pain. Here are some tips to help you find the right therapist.

Spend time with loved ones. Want to make being kind to yourself seem easy? Spend some time with the people you love. They’ll automatically treat you with the compassion you deserve and help you see why it’s so valuable to look after yourself.

  • If you’re beating yourself up about something, your friends and relatives can also make it easier to look at the problem from a different perspective. 
  •  Human beings are naturally social creatures. Spending time with others is one of the best things you can do to make yourself feel good and nurture your emotional health. It’s also a great way to prevent yourself from isolating when you’re feeling down.

Add self-care to your calendar. We often find it difficult to carve time out of our busy schedules for self-care on a regular basis. If you’re struggling to find time to look after yourself, it might be worth adding a dedicated “self-care” day to your routine. Mark it into your calendar, just like a meeting at work.

During your self-care day, you can do anything you like to make yourself feel good. This might mean having a nice bubble bath and reading a book or watching your favorite movie. Self-care can even involve exploring things like deep breathing and relaxation. You may have noticed that many of the strategies included in this article are self-care and wellness practices. Want more suggestions? Check out 'Break for A Self-Care Minute'.

self-care and wellness practices are ways to be kinder to yourself.

Photo by Maik Kleinert courtesy of Pexels.com

Sleep well. Ensure that you get enough sleep each night. 7-9 hours is an opportune amount for most adults.

  • Sleep quality counts. The better you sleep, the more you’ll be able to handle the everyday challenges you face, without feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. 
  •  Have a relaxing bedtime routine, a dark bedroom, and a comfortable bed. Avoid screens, alcohol, caffeine, or a heavy meal shortly before retiring. 
  •  When you want to give yourself an emotional, physical, and spiritual boost, grab your blankets. Some extra sleep can sometimes be a crucial part of recharging in your day-to-day schedule.

Being kinder to yourself comes with a host of benefits! Do something nice for yourself each day, and soon you’ll be enjoying it as a regular part of your daily routines. 'Kindness Draws Favor to Me' affirmation is available to add to your toolbox. Download your free copy today.

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Author

  • Angel Lewis

    Hello there! I'm Angel, an entrepreneur and writer who grew up in rural North Carolina and now resides in Virginia. My love for writing began during my time at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Over the past couple of years, I've authored two nonfiction books in the personal development genre. Along with writing for adults, I also created 'Ready. Set. Fly!', a children's book that inspires self-confidence and resilience. When I'm not writing, I enjoy gardening, reading, playing games, and spending time with those closest to me.

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3 thoughts on “6 Ways to Be Kinder to Yourself

  1. The one thing I wish I could do is sleep more. I rarely have any more than four hours continues sleep, and five or six hours if I’m lucky. Nothing worse than feeling sleep deprived all the time

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