6 Simple Ways to be Kinder to Yourself

Some of the most generous, caring, and wonderful people in the world forget to look after themselves. We often spend so much time being there for everyone else or being busy building a career or business that we often neglect the one thing that matters most, ourselves. 

However, if you’re not giving yourself the kindness you deserve, you can’t expect to enjoy a healthy level of emotional and spiritual wellness. 

So, how do you show yourself some much-deserved kindness? Like most things, the transition often starts with something small. 

Here are 6 ways to be kinder to yourself

1. Forgive yourself. 

Forgiving yourself might seem simple, but it’s often the most challenging 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 the same level of compassion, love, and understanding that we so freely give others.

The next time you find yourself being angry with something you’ve done, said, or thought, take a step back. Ask yourself: how can I be patient and compassionate with myself at this moment? 

Also, consider that you’re human too, that no one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. So don’t beat yourself up, instead, try to be your own best friend, your own support system. Look at what you could have done differently in the situation, learn from it, let it go, and forgive yourself.

2. Nourish your physical health. 

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

For example, instead of ordering fast food, try cooking healthy meals. To be honest, I am very guilty of ordering food online. DoorDash has become my best friend; we go way back, lol. But I find that when I take the time to meal prep and cook my meals for the week, they are healthier than the ones I get online. 

If you don’t have the time to cook, consider subscribing to a healthy meal delivery service. 

Also, think about adding small bits of extra physical activity into your day. For instance, could you walk to the store rather than drive there? Can you take short walks before or after work? How about scheduling time during the day for 5-minute exercises, especially for those who work from home?

3. 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 an entrepreneur and you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, consider joining an online community of peers who can provide you with guidance. Or reach out to someone who can serve as a mentor or a coach to keep you accountable.

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.

4. Spend time with loved ones. 

Spend some time with the people you love. 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 you from isolating yourself when you’re feeling down.

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.

5. Add self-care to your calendar. 

We often find it difficult to regularly carve time out of our busy schedules for self-care. 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, reading a book, or watching your favorite movie. Self-care can even involve exploring things like deep breathing and relaxation.

My self-care day is on Sunday and usually involves binge-watching Korean dramas, putting on a face mask, and running a bath. But I do believe self-care should be every day, so even if it’s just for 30 minutes, think of something small you can do each day to show yourself some love.

6. Sleep well. 

Ensure that you get enough sleep each night. 7-9 hours is a reasonable amount for most adults. 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.

Finally, when you want to give yourself an emotional, physical, and spiritual boost, grab your blankets and take a quick daytime nap. Some extra sleep can sometimes be a crucial part of resting and recharging.

Final thoughts

Be kind to yourself. You are the only you, you have. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you will have nothing left to give to others. So, do something nice for yourself each day, and soon, you’ll enjoy it as a regular part of your daily routine.

Want more tips on ways to be kinder to yourself and love yourself more deeply?

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What steps will you take to be kinder to yourself today? Drop me a note in the comments.

I love, honor, and appreciate you.

Thanks for reading!