What are some self-care routines that support personal relationships and connections?

Setting boundaries is integral to self-care. It’s a demonstration of self-respect and a foundation for personal leadership, facilitating assertiveness without aggression . These limits protect our self-esteem and pave the way for healthier relationships by preventing resentment and promoting self-worth . Moreover, boundaries enable us to safeguard personal time and well-being, allowing us to choose what’s truly important, such as family time or self-care activities over work or social pressures.

In my experience conducting exit interviews with employees, they shared that it is important to establish clear communication about their workload and priorities, ensuring colleagues understand their commitments. For some, it is also equally important to schedule dedicated breaks to recharge, fostering a balanced work-life dynamic. We should always encourage employees to have open dialogue with colleagues about expectations and boundaries, promoting understanding. Striking this balance ensures a healthy work environment where relationships thrive without compromising their wellbeing.

A nurturing connection with yourself supports all relationships. It is important to put yourself on top of your to do list. This is how I do take care of myself: 1. Blocking time in my agenda for selfcare. It is like a date with myself. I give myself permission to do the things I like and that nurture me. Reading, walking, sleeping) 2. Meditating when I wake up. A time to tune into myself. Asking myself: How am I feeling, what are my needs today? That helps me to stay relaxt in connections with others. 3. Clearing my energyfield. During the day we sometimes absorb energies from other people. At the end of the day I imagine a shower of light that washes away all energies that do not belong in my energyfield.

We all have boundaries, but they don't always get talked about. Understanding them can bring more freedom to relationships and life in general. Instead of viewing your boundary as an impenetrable wall blocking others out - think chainlink fence instead! Taking the time to recognize what yours are physically, emotionally, and mentally will help you make sure that those closest to you know where it's okay for them to cross over without feeling restrained or restricted from engaging with each other.

I strongly advocate for the practice of setting boundaries, a beneficial strategy for personal well-being. However, effective boundary-setting requires an individual's understanding of what those boundaries entail and how to establish them. For those who have experienced childhood trauma and were not taught the skills of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, the challenge of sustaining this practice into adulthood can be particularly daunting

Healthy Boundaries are, in fact our we are designed, even at a physical level ! Our cell walls are selectively porous, they allow in nourishment and block out toxicity.

Regular Check-ins and Digital Love Notes: Schedule regular check-ins with your loved ones. These could be simple conversations about how each person is doing, what challenges they're facing, and what support they may need. In our digital age, sending a thoughtful message or love note can instantly brighten someone's day. Use technology to express your feelings and stay connected, especially when you can't be physically close.

My greatest enjoyment comes from doing things for others. This idea that I have to be ruthless about ME is baloney. I do take time to be fit..without health you are unable to contribute fully... but the suggestion that I don't give the whole of myself to or am inauthentic in interactions and so on is hooey. I don't have to write it down. I express gratitude with joy and sincerity. I think one of the big problems in our society is that not enough people wake up and thank their lucky stars every day that they aren't heading for a 12 hour shift in a sweatshop. I sure do. I don't have to think about it. That gratitude is hardwired into my very being and why I enjoy life so much.

A deeper take at Gratitude is to be grateful for not just the good and pleasant situations and people in our life, but even the difficult and unpleasant ones. Challenging situations offer us the opportunity to discover what really matters to us, stand up for it, and grow out of our comfort zone

Gratitude has one of the strongest links to mental health and life satisfaction of all the personality traits. A popular, research-backed (and super simple!) approach is called “Three Good Things”. Reflect on your day and take a moment to really savor the gifts (big and small) and consider their value in your life - the savoring and appreciation here is KEY!! 🔑 After you’ve reflected and have your 3 Good Things, Write. Them. Down! In a consistent place. Your journal, a note on your phone, in your calendar etc…. That’s it, you’re practicing gratitude! Hint ~ Practice with your family and encourage an Attitude of Gratitude ✨

In the context of a workplace, practicing gratitude fosters a positive mindset, helping you appreciate colleagues' efforts. Acknowledging their contributions creates a supportive atmosphere, strengthening work relationships. Moreover, when bosses feel recognised, it enhances workplace dynamics, promoting a collaborative and harmonious environment, ultimately contributing to a more fulfilling and successful professional experience.

Who better to spend quality time with than yourself?? Try the practice below REGULARLY. The more you check in, the more it becomes second nature. THIS is the kind of habit we need more of in our lives. 3 STEPS TO DEEP INNER LISTENING 💡 Step 1 CHECK IN with yourself (pause, take a deep breath, yoga, journaling, meditation...) 💡 Step 2 ASK yourself what you need and LISTEN for the answer (what do I really want to eat, how much sleep feels right, what kind of exercise, do I need more time alone, or more connection with others, etc...) 💡 Step 3 ACT on it (most importantly!). This helps build trust in YOU so you can make decisions based on what is important and feels right for YOU, not for anyone else. Notice what changes ✨

In the context of a workplace, learning something new together creates a shared experience, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of camaraderie among employees. Collaborative learning promotes open communication, as individuals feel more comfortable seeking help and sharing insights. This shared journey towards acquiring new skills enhances teamwork, boosts morale, and establishes a foundation for healthy working relationships based on mutual support and growth.

Seeking help can be a formidable task for individuals raised in stressful environments, where self-defense mechanisms become ingrained. Those who grew up prioritizing independence and developed a reluctance to trust others may find themselves becoming workaholics. The fear of seeking assistance can stem from a history of neglect and constant rejection. Childhood trauma can significantly impact one's belief in the ability of others to help, leading to a tendency to rely solely on oneself and ultimately contributing to burnout.

In the context of the workplace, asking for help in the workplace is a sign of self-awareness and a commitment to improvement. It creates an environment where individuals feel comfortable admitting their limitations, fostering a culture of honesty and vulnerability. Colleagues appreciate the opportunity to assist, strengthening bonds through collaboration. This openness to seeking help not only promotes personal growth but also cultivates a supportive atmosphere, laying the foundation for healthy and cooperative relationships in the workplace.

“Self-care is about slowing down enough to tune in, and then taking intentional action on that feedback to support your physical, mental, and spiritual health” Unfortunately, when life gets busy, it’s often the first thing to go. But self-care doesn't need to take hours or involve a bubble bath, it can look like: ✨ Meditating ✨ Say no ✨ Express your needs ✨ Make time to yourself ✨ Set healthy boundaries ✨ Take three deep breaths ✨ Journal for two minutes in the morning ✨ Slow it down ✨ Self-compassion during challenging moments ✨ Go to sleep earlier ✨ 5 minutes of quiet time ✨ A few minutes of outdoor time each day ✨ Forgive yourself Change your perspective of what self-care is, and welcome more of it into your life.

I believe all self-care practices have the potential to strengthen our relationships. When our cup is full and we feel whole, nourished and fulfilled within is when we can give outwards. A practice that has helped me over the years is an end of week "relationship clean-up". I identify any unpleasant interactions from the previous week and work through my inner landscape with 3 ingredients (1) courage to see my role in the situation, (2) compassion for myself and the other (3) gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow in the process. Irrespective of whether or not I discuss this with respective person afterwards, the shift in my inner energy almost always improves the relationship.

Self care for me is about drawing clear boundaries, sleeping well eating clean and holding limited meaningful, interactions. The ritual does gets hampered at times and that becomes a learning point. The change in learning graph never goes back to its older dimensions. That shifts relationships, habits and a bit of being within.

A major issue with this whole article is the idea that self-care should support personal relationships and connections, when the truth is, it's the endless carrying of the other people in our lives that depletes and exhausts us - especially an issue for women. The first principle of self-care is caring for self, which in practice often means less caring for others, both in what they think and in what they (and we) believe they need from us. Caring for self involves connecting to our bodymind, listening within, and then proceeding in alignment with that. And that requires making space and time for ourselves. Having to account for our relationships with others in this is counter-productive if not a complete blocker.