Hiya Gorgeous!
Does your life ever feel like a treadmill?
You’re running and running—trying to take care of your loved ones, pets, home, career, community (and maybe love on the planet a bit, too).
Plus, you have a never-ending list of self-improvements to apply: Lose weight. Get stronger. Workout. Meditate. Improve gut health. Whiten teeth. Smooth wrinkles. Drink water. Sharpen mind. Learn new skills. Be kinder. And on and on.
That treadmill can sure get tiring, can’t it, sweetheart?
Too often, self-care feels like just one more thing to keep you running. Another task on the to-do list. A response to the constant pressure to improve. But what if there were a better way?
Real self-care should feel nurturing, not nagging.
So if the idea of self-care feels like a burden, recognize that it’s probably because you’re putting pressure on yourself to do “all the things”. Instead, give yourself permission to simplify. Start by focusing on just a few healthy habits to help you love yourself the easy way. That’s what I want to explore with you today.
Now let’s explore a few healthy habits you can try.
6 Simple Self-Care Practices to Love Yourself with Today
1. Start your day with introspection
Here’s how I greet each morning: I wake up, light a candle and meditate for 10 minutes. Then I make tea, write in my Results Journal and maybe read something uplifting. That’s it. When times are stressful, it’s easy to turn on the news or pop open social media and feel the energy seep right out of your body. Instead, make a vow to start your day by filling your well. If you have to get up 15 minutes earlier, do it. That time of sweet self-care will be well worth it.
2. Nourish your body first
What you eat is who you become. By choosing to nourish your body first thing, you’re setting the tone for the rest of the day. Water, green juice and avocado toast (or a hearty smoothie!) will give you a boost of sustainable, nutrient-packed energy. If you love coffee, guess what? You don’t have to give it up. Instead, just try adding in a smoothie or some green juice first. Give your body a healthy burst of nutrients, alkalinity and antioxidants, then sip the joe.
I call that my add-before-you-subtract principle, by the way. So much nutritional guidance hinges on deprivation—on what you give up. But I believe true health is about abundance. It’s about piling on the good, deeply-nourishing stuff. Once you add enough goodness to your plate (or your life!), the mediocre is naturally crowded out.
3. Talk to your cravings
As your day unfolds, notice if you find yourself battling cravings. Maybe it’s cookies, chips, a mindless hour of Facebook scrolling, or a smoke. Those cravings aren’t always about the sugar, caffeine, or whatever it is you’re jonesin’ for. In fact, they rarely are. More often, they’re a plea from your higher self. Instead of mindlessly acquiescing to the urge, ask yourself what desire it really represents.
Do you need more sweetness in your life? A time out from stress? Some love? An apology? A chance to rest? What’s the craving attempting to fill for you? And what could you do to satisfy that itch (and your soul) instead? Remember, you’ll get better results if you add something to serve that deeper desire than if you try to subtract the craving itself.
4. Practice The Daily Ten
You feel better when you move your body. There’s no denying it. But it does feel challenging to fit in a daily workout, doesn’t it? So let’s start with something more attainable: Just move for 10 minutes. Even when you can’t do a full-blown gym workout, you do have 10 minutes to move. Let this be something easy and something that feels good to you. Take a stroll, stretch on your living room floor, or turn up the tunes and shake what your mama gave you!
5. Cultivate what nourishes your soul
Your plate doesn’t contain all the answers when it comes to nourishing your sweet self. We all need soul-nourishment, too. We need to make space for the activities that bring us joy and fulfillment. Without them, we wither.
These go beyond our daily routines, too. You may enjoy your job, but it won’t always satisfy you. I’m sure you love your family, but they can’t always be around (or pleasant!) to encourage you. So what’s one thing you could do that would bring you some smiles this week?
Maybe you should take a few minutes to draw or paint or dance. Perhaps you could call a friend, take a bath, or love on your pet (or foster a new one!). It can be anything that renews your spirit. So what is it for you? What nourishes your soul? What makes you feel more connected, happy, or of service? Whatever it is, do more of it this week.
6. Have compassion for yourself
Unfortunately, suffering is a natural part of life. We can’t avoid it—especially now with the collective challenges we’re all facing. The trick is to acknowledge your struggle and then bear-hug it with compassion. Compassion is the medicine. Once you apply compassion you’ll be able to take the lessons and move through the discomfort. Residual ouchies may remain, but they won’t harden you. We all have scars. They give us character. I have old wounds on my knees from bike crashes and canoe flips. And then there are the cancer scars. All of which are a part of me now, neither pretty or ugly, just there—inviting me to practice some self-compassion.
If you do nothing else to love yourself today, start by offering yourself a bit of kind compassion.
Breathe. Smile. I love you. You love you.
Progress Not Perfection
I’m done with the pressure-packed, “do all the things” definition of self-care. Aren’t you, toots? It’s just not worth staying on that treadmill.
Our new mantra for self-care is progress, not perfection. Often, when we start from an extreme place and seek extreme results, we set ourselves up for extreme disappointment.
Instead, let’s reimagine a new, gentle kind of self-care. One where a few healthy habits make our lives feel more steady. One where we feel nurtured—body, mind and spirit.
As you step forward in self-care this week, remember: Simplicity. Ease. Grace.
Let the turtle be your guide. Slow and steady, my glorious friend. From a spiritual perspective, there is no race, anyway. There’s only growing.
Your turn: What’s one simple thing you’ll do to nurture yourself today?
Growth & grace,
You’re the best 🙂
Fantastic!! Brilliant. Thanks for the words I needed to hear:)
I bought Crazy Sexy Kitchen in November. Since then I have cut out all meat and dairy. Meat wasn’t too hard because I have never really liked it. I juice every morning and it has become a time I look forward to each morning. Almost meditativI have given CSK as a gift to at least 2 people.
I still struggle with sweets and alcohol but the change you inspired is phenomenal. I still have some detox symptoms. Cant wait until I get more past that stage.
I work 2 jobs so it has been a challenge to committ to changes like these but I am so happy I did.
I have also signed up for local Vegan cooking classes. I am so excited!
Thank You
Kris – whenever you have a low moment yourself – just go back and read all your incoming emails/responses, and remember how many souls your little sexy angel wings are touching. There’s always one angel in every crowd that outshines, and leads the others. Girl! – you’re that one – you’re the one!!!
Toni, thank you so so so much. Great advice.
I lean on you all as much as you lean on me. I feel very lucky and grateful. My readers are truly special! You are my spiritual family. Lots of love… kc
Omg number 3 is awesome, I feel really calm just from reading it. I never thought that cravings or urges to overeat could be seen as a Spiritual assignment, that’s awesome, ty so much 🙂
you are such an inspiration I just love you
Am just starting out on the BC journey with first chemo on jan 17 so the tips were very helpful . Starting on the green juice right away and giving my Xmas cookies away!
That’s the way to go. Great news! x
wow, it’s pretty cool you have a baby deer in your back seat (not cool that it’s mother got hit by a car–this happens too often–slow down people!!)
Do you know how it is doing? It looks pretty calm in the picture, was it freaking out?
I agree with you completely! It’s so much nicer to make small changes that come from a place of self-love and kindness toward one’s body. I love your triad: Simplicity, Elegance and Stability…you’re one wise chick, Kris!
Love your writing!
Hi Kris and CS Team,
First thanks for the inspiration to start juicing. It’s taken a couple of months but I’m up to 1 sml glass of cucumber and asparagus juice. After my next surgery I will be adding a bit of apple and celery. I’ve also been able to tolerate a bit pure coconut milk each morning. I can’t tell you after years of severe food intolerances how big these steps are…little victories! My doctor is very happy.
One question, I’d really like to give your Juices and Succulent Smoothies book to friends. Will you ever offer it in paperback or hard cover form?
Thanks and best of success and health to the whole Crazy Sexy team!
Jo
FYI…I’ve also been staring my day whenever I’m up to it with inspirational reading, including personal affirmations and quotes, and now my juice. My hubby calls it my quiet time. He knows I don’t allow any news or electronics in my space until after I’ve had this time. Once I’m feeling better I hope to add yoga and a walk.
I want to THANK YOU for helping me get off the all or nothing wagon. I’ve been trying to do a quick fix this New Year – thinking that it would erase everything that I ate last December. My body knows though and it went on its own imperfect and gentle path. I tried doing the 3-day Hungry for Change Detox but instead of three consistent days of just eating what’s on the diet menu, something inside me was tweaking the recipes according to what I felt I needed. The more I fought myself – you got it right with the self-flagellation – it is a pattern, huh- the tweak became large servings of my sister’s apple cake. One of my key night time dreams lately was the clear echo of loving myself which includes gentleness, self-kindness, forgiveness, real genuine LOVE and there I was doing the opposite thing by attempting to do the usual quick fix. Your article made me see the daily miracles of my life: body brushing when I remember to do it, kind words, giving, joyfully washing the dishes, walking with my son, eating a bit of fruit, enjoying my Biehler broth, brown rice, not enjoying processed meat anymore, eating a bit of chicken when I feel I want to, more raw veg, juice stock in the freezer, lemons in my water, catching the excuses and the blame, more action. The small bits, they do add up don’t they?
Oh, I also want to heal my broken heart – you mentioned this in your blog and I was wondering if you have any advice. Maybe these little steps will help me release the broken one and grow a new one.
Thank you so so much Kris for your honesty, it’s like a blanket of warmth when I am running around headless and unsure,
Satya (Manila)
Today’s blog touched my soul to the core. I love, love, love the wonderful messages that you share with all of us. I thank God, the Universe, All that is for your presence in our lives.
Keep up the wonderful work, it IS appreciated.
Thank you x
Thank you, Kris. You always seem to say exactly what I need to hear. I wish you love and success in 2013.
Thanks for sharing you story. You are immensely inspiring!
Hey Kris,
I am so glad I stumbled over your webpages when looking for inspiring vegetarian recipies. I have been reducing meat from my diet for a couple of years, but after making your acquaintance, I want to try the next step, which has so far felt like more than I could take: halving my dairy. I have a habit of not buying anything the first time I see it, but to wait for several weeks or months so as not to pile on more stuff. Your books have, however, put me in the dilemma of whether to break one good habit in order to adopt a new good habit… Until I get my hands on your books, I will be ticking off the receipies on your webpages…
Wow, your words are exactly what I need today. After a really rough couple of years, am struggling to release and let go, even though I know better! You have just given me some valuable tools to help me do what I know I need to do, but for some reason seem to want to stay licking my wounds and feeling miserable. Your beautiful Crazy Sexy Kitchen recipe book is coming off the shelf and I am going to get back nourishing my soul, my heart, me. Thank you for caring! x
KRIS,
Every time I see your beautiful smiling face and read your heartfelt soulful blog – I always hear myself saying “I just love you, Kris!” So today, felt prompted to express my love and appreciation for all you do, say and be.
Thanks for your beauty, inspiration and wisdom. You truly are fulfilling your great and sweet mission here in life and bring light into ours What a way to live!
Much love and gratitude,
~Jenna
I love the idea of eating more fruits and veggies, and less sugar. I eat meat but in small portions. I’ve stopped drinking milk but I still have an occasional bit of yogurt, cottage cheese or cheese. The confusing part for me is where we talk about moving away from processed foods. Pastas and most grains are processed foods and not natural for our bodies because of what we have to do to them in order to consume them. I can’t see just eating fruits and vegetables only but it gets harder and harder to find things to eat because it’s either processed and man-made (not natural) or in some way bad for us. I’d love to see healthy options without the grains and processed foods that just turn to sugar in our bodies anyway.
I’m definitely intrigued by your thoughts and I’m looking forward to reading more and learning more this year about being healthier, cleaner and overall happier.
Thank you!