Do you frequently push your own needs to the proverbial back burner to focus instead on being giving and kind to the people around you?

It’s truly a good thing to show generosity and kindness to others. But many people don’t allow themselves the same level of grace and compassion that they show to the people around them. We don’t take the time required to really care for our bodies, minds, and spirits.

This self-care will look different for different people. It may mean that you’re not spending enough time on hobbies you enjoy. Or, you may not be eating the foods you should be eating to stay healthy and best nourish your body. Perhaps you’re not getting enough sleep every night. Maybe you’re too hard on yourself, and you lack compassion for yourself.

It’s not a waste of your energy and time to be kind to yourself. It’s actually one of the best ways to invest in yourself. Learning to be kind to yourself will let you fill up your cup so you’re more energized and happier in your life. This allows you to overflow, and to generously pour out more for others, too. It’s truly a win all around!

Here are a few ways you can be kind to yourself. The list is divided into caring for body, for mind, and for spirit. Hopefully you’re inspired  to add more self-love and kindness into your own life, and to give yourself the compassion and grace that you deserve.

Be Kind to Your Body

1. Pause and take several slow and deep breaths.
2. Take a walk or a run on the nicest path near you.
3. Make a small adjustment every day. It’s as easy as adding some extra vegetables to your plate at dinner.
4. Take a 10-minute break to stretch.
5. Spend some time on a weekend afternoon to prepare your lunches for the work week. Make sure you pack something delicious and nutritious that you can look forward to. For example, pack the ingredients for a crunchy Thai salad in your lunch bag. You’ll get to toss those ingredients together at lunchtime every day. It’s healthy, it’s tasty, and you’ll get to anticipate it all morning!

Be Kind to Your Mind

1. Unplug yourself from screens and other technology for at least one hour every evening.
2. Keep a list of compliments you’ve receive from other people. Keep the list handy so you can read through it when you’re feeling down.
3. Unfollow or unsubscribe from people on social media who make you feel like you’re competing, or that you’re not good enough.
4. Make time to read a book that you’ve interested in.
5. Extend grace and forgiveness to yourself over something you’ve been hanging on to.

Be Kind to Your Spirit

1. Don’t hesitate to ask for help any time you need it. This is especially critical if you feel like you’ve reached your breaking point.
2. Start a “gratitude journal.” At the end of each day, jot down at least three things you’re grateful for.
3. Plan something that you can look forward to. It can be this weekend, next month, or on your next day off. It’s exciting to have an event on the calendar to look forward to and anticipate.
4. Make a list of things that you love about yourself.
5. Deliberately schedule downtime into your daily routine. Set aside a block of time to read, to take a bath, to lounge around the house in your pajamas, or whatever it is that will help you feel energized and refreshed afterwards.

How can you can be more kind to yourself? Comment below if you have any ideas you think we all could use!