For many of my clients—which are mostly female, the act of self-nurturing is a foreign concept. Although we recognize the importance of balance and self-healing, women in particular, often have a difficult time putting aside the needs of others instead of taking care of ourselves. As mothers, we support and nurture our children, significant others, parents, siblings, friends, neighbours, pets—and leave little time for ourselves. When we do this, the cycle of giving and receiving becomes interrupted and we forget the importance of filling up our own cups.

Giving to ourselves doesn’t need to require elaborate effort, time or money. It may simply be telling your loved ones that you’re going to take twenty minutes to yourself. Only you know what will fulfill your needs. Here is a short list of ways to nurture your wellbeing:

*Meditate Daily–I have found meditation to be the single most important thing I do for myself on a regular basis, aside from exercise.

*Explore Your Creative Side– paint, draw, doodle, sing…be as creative as you can

*Take A Walk Outside–Try doing this both with and without shoes– a technique called ‘grounding’, where you connect a part of your body–in this case your feet, wit Mother Earth

*Play–explore movement by crawling, climbing, jumping etc.

*Go To A Movie

*Take An Aromatherapy Bath

*Have A Cup Of Tea—and do nothing else

Self-nurturing is not about being selfish. It’s about self-care. So do something for yourself daily, without feeling guilty.