Five simple tips for finding self-compassion

If you’ve noticed a dip in your motivation levels and that the energy you entered the New Year with has plateaued, you’re not alone.

Stopping, pausing and tuning into your mood is being self-compassionate.

It's working to regulate your nervous system - to shift from that sense of always needing to do, to allowing yourself to lean into a slower pace. The world needs more kindness right now, and starting with yourself is a great place.

And February is perfect for that.

It's the start of a slow, subtle shift towards spring to start to gather our resources, as it were. To start to build ourselves back up again, ready for the arrival of a new season.

And self-compassion doesn’t have to be dramatic. By all means, book a massage, spa day or a solo trip. But the small things you add into your day will slowly build until out of nowhere you suddenly experience that subtle mindset shift. Have a read of the below for some simple things you can add into your day.

Five simple tips for finding self-compassion:

(1) Massage oil into your shoulders, elbows and knees before bed. This is an Ayurvedic approach to health, and the idea is that letting the oil sink in overnight, can help to reduce inflammation in these areas which we can often hold tension. I love Fushi’s castor & joint oils - see link below for 10% off.

(2) Sit with a hot drink, uninterrupted. Put your phone/laptop (even book) away for 10 minutes and just sit. Look out the window, ponder life. Notice where you mind wanders and how you feel.

(3) Have a slow breakfast. Set aside 30-45 minutes to eat your breakfast slowly, without rushing. This is the tempo our digestive system likes to work at - it helps us to absorb nutrients and reduce the likelihood of bloating as we’re giving ourselves the time to break down the food.

(4) Write down 3 things you’re grateful for at the start or end of your day. Practising gratitude on a daily basis is proven to improve mood. Try for at least a week and see if you notice any shifts.

(5) Get your blood levels tested. Sometimes we can overthink why we’re not feeling great, when actually, nutrient deficiencies can be a cause of fatigue, low mood and brain fog. So if we’re feeling like that, we’re going to struggle to show ourselves self-love. Ask your doctor to get your iron, vitamin d & b vitamins tested. I’m always here too, if you’d rather work privately.