Self Nurturing

We go through our lives at a very busy pace and often we forget to stop and take care of ourselves.  We've all heard the old adage, "if you don't love yourself, no one else will."  Bottom line is we have to take care of ourselves, treat ourselves with love and kindness.  This sends a direct message to our brain that we are loved and worth the effort.  When we deprive ourselves of self nurturing our self esteem begins to dwindle and then if enough time goes by we forget how to self nurture.  Some of us were never actually taught to self nurture.  Lack of taking loving care of ones self will lead to depression and anxiety, it is not a matter of if but a matter of when.  For these reasons I am listing self nurturing activities and I encourage everyone to engage in at least one self loving activity a day.  More if you have time.  :)  Now my list may not fit every one's taste but it will give you an idea.

• Take a warm bath
• Have breakfast in bed
• Take a sauna
• Get a massage
• Buy yourself some flowers
• Take a bubble bath
• Walk on a scenic path in a park
• Have a manicure and or pedicure
• Stop and smell the flowers
• Wake up early and watch the sunrise
• Watch the sunset
• Relax with a good book or soothing music
• Watch a funny movie
• Play your favourite music and dance to it, yes even by yourself
• Go to bed early
• Sleep under the stars
• Play with your pet
• Take a "Mental Health Day," off work
• Fix a special dinner just for yourself and eat by candlelight
• Go for a walk
• Call a good friend or several good friend (not one who likes to moan about their sore back or how tired they are).
• Go to a fine restaurant just by yourself
• Go to the beach
• Take a scenic drive
• Meditate
• Buy new clothes (not if you have shopping issues).  :)
• Browse a book or record store for as long as you want
• Spend time with a special person
• Buy yourself something special that you can afford (again, not if you have shopping issues)
• Go see a film or show
• Go to the park and feed the ducks, swing on the swings, etc...
• Visit a museum or gallery
• Let yourself dawdle (take more time then needed to do what you are doing)
• Work on a favourite puzzle or puzzle book
• Take a hot tub or jacuzzi
• Record an affirmation tape
• Write an ideal scenario concerning a situation and then visualize it
• Read an inspirational book
• Write a letter (not email) to an old friend
• Bake or cook something special for yourself
• Go window shopping (again not if you have shopping problems)
• Listen to a relaxation CD
• Listen to a positive, motivational CD
• Write a diary about your accomplishments or things you are thankful for
• Exercise
• Go for a swim 
• Take a leisurely bike ride  

I could go on and on but you get the idea.  Now I hear a lot of people say they don't have time, there are not enough hours in the day.  There are always enough hours in the day to take care of ourselves, if you watch T.V., surf the net or play video games, then you have time to engage in a self nurturing activity that would serve you far better then any of the above.  Not enough time is just an excuse, stop making excuses and start doing it, you will thank yourself for it.