Practicing self-care is essential to this process. Here I asked the question 'How do you practice self-care?' to painting participants...
- Be kind to yourself. Notice how you are talking to yourself. Recognise that you are not your thoughts.
- Journal - Journaling your process can really ground it and offer you deeper insights into your life, thoughts, behaviour and emotions.
- Move your body. Whether you run, zumba, practice yoga, swim or dance. It doesn't matter how. Just do it. Regularly.
- Legs up the wall
- Place the right hip next to the wall. Bend the knees toward the chest. On an exhale, using the elbows for support, begin to bring the lower back down to the floor and swing the legs up the wall. (Please note: you can get into this pose by starting on the left hip as well.)
- Once the legs are up the wall, begin to slowly release the entire back down to the floor by straightening the elbows.
- Rest your hands on your belly. Stay in this for as long as it is comfortable. Generally, 5 to 20 minutes works well.
- When ready to come out of this pose, bend the knees toward the chest and roll over to one side.
- Restorative supported back bend (http://www.yogagroup.org/relax.html)
- Lie with your back on the ground
- Roll up a towel and lay it under your back just below your rib cage
- Lay your hands in a cactus position above your head
- Legs can be bent or straight as long as you are comfortable
- Breathe from your belly…
- Meditate - Focus on your breath. Mind wanders? No probs. Return to breath. Over and over.
- If you are feeling excess energy, lengthen the exhale
- If you are feeling low in energy, lengthen the inhale
- Eat wholesome food - Nourish your body. Sit down to eat with presence.
- Pause before responding to a situation- notice what your inner guidance is saying.
- Take time to be present with a child or an animal - go hug your kid, dog or cat.
- Remain in silence. Refrain from turning on the TV, radio, computer etc.
- Rest your body. Give yourself permission to go to bed.
- Take a bath. Go on, add some essential oils and light a candle.
- Dance at home like no one is watching you. In your pajamas.
- Ask yourself “Am I coming from Love or Fear?”
- Practice Gratitude. Think of 5 or more things you are grateful for before you go to sleep or when you wake up.
- How do you ground yourself?
- Walk with bare feet on the earth/take time to look at the stars
- Be with nature
- Spend time with children
- When feeling anger rise:
- Clasp both hands together in a fist
- Lift fist above your head with straight arms
- Feet hip width apart
- Swing both hands down hard between the legs with an audible exhale or expletive of your choice. Repeat.
- Gyrate your hips around to move emotions. You can do this anywhere! Serious. It works.