Self Care Library

Need Some Inspiration?

Enjoy this library of self-care practices to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.    

Create Connection & Community

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  • Schedule a time daily, weekly, or both, to call or visit someone
  • Schedule time to chat with supportive family members
  • Reach out to friends when doing well, not just when needing support
  • Set an intention to make new connections when attending community events, recreation facilities, or support groups
  • Invite a friend over for dinner or say, "Yes" to an invitation
  • Plan to meet a friend for a walk, coffee, or meal at a restaurant 
  • Find opportunities to chat with neighbours and volunteer close to home 

We heal in community.  We thrive in community.

Community Events and Support Groups

  • Meetup.com http://www.meetup.com
  • Women's groups
  • Men's groups
  • Eventbrite.com www.eventbrite.com
  • Search FB events
  • Meditation / mindfulness groups
  • Recreation centre and public library events pages
  • Book or craft clubs
  • Yoga studio events listing
  • Local wellness directory
  • AA or NA meetings
  • Refuge Recovery www.refugerecovery.org  
    A buddhist approach to recovery
  • She Recovers www.sherecovers.org supports women in recovery
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Nutrition

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  • Go through your cupboards and pantry.  Discard expired food or donate what won't be eaten.   
  • Collect fresh, healthy recipes for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks.   Organize them for easy access.
  • Plan meals ahead of time.  Start with breakfast and then move onto the next meals.   
  • Drink 2-3 litres of water each day; more when exercising
  • Create a calm, inviting space at the dinner table
  • Practice unrushed mindful eating 
  • Attend a cooking class
  • Search Youtube for healthy ideas and inspiration
  • Hire a nutritionist or coach to get or stay on track

Sleep Support

  • Go to bed and get up at the same time every day or, better yet, be outside for 10 minutes at every sunrise and sunset
  • Avoid devices 1 hour before bedtime (blue light)
  • Avoid caffeine and sugar later in the day.  Stop eating at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
  • Arrange the bedroom so your body knows that this is a room for sleep.   Remove TV and computers from the space.  Use a white noise machine, if necessary.
  • Clear your mind before lying down.  Mentally go through your day from start to finish.  
  • Journal before bedtime.  Write down all that's on your mind to help move the energy out.
  • Find comfortable linens, pillows, and blankets.  Reduce room temperature and increase fresh air, if possible.  
  • Create a habit like 2 minutes of straw breathing at bedtime and repeat it if waking up in the middle of the night.
  • Practice Yoga Nidra, a meditation for relaxation and sleep.  Find it on YouTube or meditation apps.    
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Exercise

Zach Bush 4 Minute Workout
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Get a gym membership
  • Dance / movement
  • Team sports like badminton or pickleball
  • Walking, hiking, running, biking, rebounding
  • Swimming
  • Climbing
  • Gardening 
  • Nature walks
  • Winter sports like snowshoeing
  • Create an exercise playlist

Meditation / Mindfulness

  • Choose times of the day, frequency and durations which can become routine.  Even 5 minutes help.
  • R.P.M. = Rise, Pee, Meditate
  • Walking meditation
  • Silent meditation
  • Create a meditation space in your home
  • Involve others in your practice in-person or by Zoom
  • Cold showers of water plunges (breathing through discomfort)
  • Attend a meditation retreat
  • Cooking or crafting meditation
  • Take a technology and social media break
  • Practice silence for an hour or half a day 
  • Meditation Apps.  There are many to choose from.
    Insight Timer https://insighttimer.com/ (Sarah Blondin is my personal favourite)
    TenPercentHappier https://www.tenpercent.com/
    Headspace www.headspace.com
    ​    Calm https://www.calm.com
  • Prayer / Contemplation practice.
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Therapy / Counselling

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  • Start or continue working with a trusted counsellor
  • Somatic Experiencing 
  • EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
  • ​Brainspotting
  • IFS - Internal Family Systems  
  • Expressive art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Dance / movement therapy
  • Equine therapy 
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Group healing

Connect With Nature

  • Create a list of natural places that you love to be in
  • Photograph nature or look at favourite pictures of it
  • Sit quietly and notice your breath while enjoying the scenery
  • Wander slowly and observe what you see (mindful walking)
  • Read a book or study in a quiet, beautiful spot
  • Hiking, with or without camping 
  • Canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding 
  • Walk barefoot outside (earthing / grounding)
  • Befriend a tree and visit regularly
  • Set an intention for how often and how long to be in nature
Deep in the forest I stroll
to hear the wisdom of my soul.
​~ Angie Weiland Crosby
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Journaling

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  • Decide when and for how long to journal or just allow it to happen when it feels right.  
  • Set a timer for start and end times, if that helps    
  • Create a Gratitude Journal
  • Capture the highlights of your day / week
  • Take a photo a day which moves you
  • Begin a Dream Journal and keep it by your bed
  • Create a Visioning Journal and Vision Board
  • Morning Pages (The Artist's Way Julia Cameron) https://juliacameronlive.com/
  • Create a Bucket List  ​​

Personal Growth / Self-Help

  • Read or listen to books
  • Listen to podcasts
  • Attend in-person or online courses
  • Attend a retreat
  • Mindfulness training
  • Make a Don't List
  • Travel, near or far 
  • Arts / creativity
  • Music
  • Connect with people who inspire you
  • Try something that you've never done
  • Return to school to complete or start a program
  • Read the Bible or other sacred texts for guidance and inspiration
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Your Home Environment

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  • Paint a wall or a room in your home
  • Set up a diffuser with essential oils
  • Create an altar or sacred space in your house
  • Re-decorate a room
  • Replace or move furniture around
  • If applicable, move to a new home
  • Acquire house plants 
  • Add pictures or nourishing art
  • De-clutter and Clean
  • Sage and cleanse space with intention & prayer
  • Put up inspirational quotes

Play & Fun

  • Explore ways to be creative 
  • Play games with children of all ages
  • Try something new
  • Take an art class or fill in adult colouring books
  • Learn to play an instrument
  • Host a games night with friends
  • Go to a comedy show
  • Take an improv class
  • Re-engage old hobbies
  • Gardening 
  • Plays, opera, etc.
  • Go on a road trip with friends
  • Laughter Yoga
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Physical Health

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  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Naturopathy
  • Breathwork
  • Reiki
  • Chiropractic
  • Pilates
  • Energy healing
  • Sound healing
  • Yoga
  • Naturopathy
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Aromatherapy
  • Homeopathy
  • Reflexology