Nurturing Your Self

This month's topic is Nurture. It is something I am personally working on and fresh on my mind. When we think of nurture we tend to think of nurturing others- our family members, our spouse or significant other, children, and friends. Many times we forget about nurturing ourselves. It is not something we are really taught to do. And sometimes something we are forced to learn about ourselves.

I'll be the first to admit that having been diagnosed with breast cancer I was given an opportunity to take nurturing myself to a new level. Learning to slow down and take care of my health and myself became my top priority. It was a big adjustment to make. I was used to doing things myself, not needing help from others, etc. I quickly learned in order to keep YogaBuddies going and take care of my health I would need to accept the help being offered to me. I am grateful for the instructors who helped out at that time, for my husband, who was amazing in helping me throughout the whole process, and to all my friends and family who showed up in various ways to show they cared

Learning to slow down, take time for myself, relax, and know that it is okay to not do-it-all have been a wonderful lessons that now make life life easier and leave me feeling happier.

I am grateful that we (YogaBuddies Instructors) have the opportunity to teach our students how to nurture themselves.

So where do you begin to nurture yourself if you weren't taught at the age of 8? Often it's the things you do or don't do when you need a break.

Here are some examples of ways to nurture your Self:
- Take a walk, go for a run, go to a yoga class or the gym
- Meditate (even if it is for five minutes)
- Be in nature (go to the beach, take a hike in the woods, sit under a tree, or do some gardening)
- Read a book
- Take a nap
- Take a bath
- Journal
- Get a massage or a manicure or pedicure
- Take a vacation
- Have lunch, dinner, or tea with someone you enjoy
- Go to a comedy club
- Go to a movie
- Do something that makes you happy
- Do nothing

Taking the time to nurture ourselves is healthy and helps us release stress. We become grounded and centered and we shift from doing into being. When we nurture ourselves it allows us to be present in the moment. Nurturing allows us to honor ourselves and our lives.

"We nourish the soul when we find value in the stillness of the moment, recognizing that the present time is the only time there is." -Gerald Jampolsky, M.D.