Holistic Self-Care Tips

Self-care is not about how much money you have…

Holistic self-sare tips

Here are some simple ways you can start taking care of yourself without breaking the bank;

• Practice mindfulness

This can be through meditation or prayer. Start learning different breathing exercises. Take time to be fully present in whatever you’re doing.

Mindfulness simply means being present. Being aware of your thoughts, emotions, your physical sensations and the environment you’re in. You learn to gently observe them with care and without judgment.

Mindfulness has been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety levels.

• Nourish your body

Choose what you fuel your body with wisely.

The foods and drinks you feed your body with should be wholesome and nutrient-packed.

I’m not saying you can't indulge, I mean the majority of the body's fuel should be coming from foods that are good for the body.

Drink water to stay hydrated and prioritise regular meals.

You want to give your body foods that nurture and support your general well-being.

• Move your body

I’m sure your doctors… and common sense have told you this already.

Yet, so many of us struggle with it. The trick is to find something you enjoy. Something that’ll keep you active. Whatever it is… yoga, dancing, running, walking, make it a regular practice.

Body movement is not only good for strengthening your body, but it’ll also improve your mood.

As my therapist, Salma, once told me... 'no one ever regrets a workout!'

• Connect with nature

There's something about being in nature that makes me feel closer to God.

Maybe it’s the thought that we (humans) and everything else in nature (trees, birds, insects, soil...) are all made of the same stuff.

When I look up at trees, I try to guess how old they are and how deep their roots run. I wonder what stories they could tell if they’d speak and what secrets they kept.

There's something very spiritual and relaxing about being outdoors in nature. It can give you perspective about life and so many other things.

Take a walk in a park, go for a hike or just sit under a tree and watch the clouds drift by. You'll realise how amazing our God is.

• Prioritise Rest and Sleep

Sleep and rest are critical for the body.

It’s when we’re sleeping and resting that our bodies recover and rejuvenate. Which in turn is important for our cognitive health.

Do not take a good night's sleep for granted. And don't neglect the importance of finding moments during your day to rest.

Having a bedtime routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. This can be avoiding screens at least an hour before going to sleep. Having a lighter meal, something easy to digest, for your dinner. Creating a restful sleep environment... not too hot, for example.

Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep and try to be consistent with your bedtime and wake-up times.

The Healing

Self-care is about doing the small, simple things that bring you joy. Things that are good for your health and general well-being.

In that view, I created a simple challenge to help you deep your toes into self-care. So let me make this an official invitation for you to join the sisters on a 14-day Wellness Challenge. 

The challenge is meant to help you grow in all key aspects of womanhood... mental, physical and spiritual.

Don’t gatekeep please, let’s invite our sisters, friends, mums, neighbours... any women in your lives that we know might benefit from a little self-care. Let's all be advocates for black women growing and thriving together.

Love & light,
Christine

P.S.

Share this letter with a sister who might need it.

P.P.S

If you haven't yet, make sure to join the sisterhood by signing up for The Healing Letters.