SELF LOVE
Greetings Yoga Friends,
Since I was a little girl and to this day, one of my all-time favorite holidays is Valentine's Day. Give me an excuse to use heart emojis and give Valentine’s and I’m all about it!
Whether I had a special someone in my life or was rocking it out on my own, I always loved a day that celebrated love.
So often we focus on the love we give others. We generously support our families, co-workers, and friends, and then somehow we can lose sight of supporting and loving ourselves.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all about loving our families and communities but, as we all know, this can lead to depletion if we forget to love and support ourselves.
Loving and supporting ourselves is not selfish or vain. It is a necessary part of being a healthy human being and it helps us be a better human to those around us as well.
And, that leads me to what I want to share with you this month. Even in the busyness and comings and goings of our life, let's remember to make sure we do things which nourish and support ourselves and we find ways to give ourselves permission to enjoy the sweetness of life.
A great area of interest and study for me is Ayurveda. Ayurveda offers simple practices you can do to nourish your mind and body. Here are a few I really like:
Drinking a warm cup of lemon water first thing in the morning helps to hydrate and cleanse the body,
Dry skin brushing helps the lymphatic system,
Self massage with your favorite oil or lotion (just your feet before bed or your whole body before a taking a shower) helps the lymphatic system and nourishes the skin,
Taking a short walk after lunch or dinner helps to digest your food,
A hot bath before bed with Epsom Salt or your favorite essential oil. I love this practice and it helps calm the nervous system and promote better sleep,
Taking an afternoon nap or pausing in the later part of the day for a short meditation or just paying attention to your breathing for a few minutes can help replenish the body and bring us back to the present moment.
We don’t have to do all these things everyday and though many of them seem pretty simple, when we practice them regularly they can help us feel a greater sense of ease in the body and mind.
I am sure there are many things you enjoy doing, even just savoring a warm cup of tea midday or curling up on the couch and reading a good book. These things don’t just help us feel better but also help us to enjoy the sweetness of life and keep us well replenished.
Maybe you’ll make a list with me. In my day book I have a list of my favorite self-care practices as a reminder to love and nourish my own body and heart through the month.
It’s the things we do everyday, every week, and every month that make up our life.
To good health, well-being, and peace of mind.
With gratitude,
Phoenix