Resources

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In this page I have included some of my favourite resources. Resources are sometimes called coping strategies, supports, self-love practices. There are many types of resources that you may benefit from and this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Whether you are in the beginnings of learning to support yourself or have a lot of practice, I hope that you can find something here.

Tough Days

  • Eat something, anything, and drink some water

  • Get some sleep, or at least rest

  • Shower, if you can

  • Call your person - whether this is a loved one, your therapist or a hotline, just reach out

  • Be gentle with yourself

The other days

  • Eat to fuel your body, get adequate sleep and drink your eight glasses of water a day

  • Be mindful - mindful meditations are a great way to practice mindfulness; also mindfulness can be found in the simplest of ways —noticing your feet as they touch the earth while walking, focusing on the inhale and exhale of your natural breath

  • Breathing Techniques: one way to bring calm to our system with our breath is to elongate the exhale by using straw breathing (where you either use a physical straw or imagine that you have a straw in your mouth as you exhale); another simple breathing exercise is Square Breathing-Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts

  • Movement - get up to stretch for a minute, take a walk, practice yoga, dancing or other movement that would support your mind and soul

  • Go outside - even if for a moment, just take in nature, notice the colours of the season, walk barefoot, allow the earth to be your co-regulator

  • Love yourself. Cultivate your relationship with YOU. Post love notes around your space, speak to yourself kindly in the mirror, notice the words you use when you speak to and about yourself and see how they feel in your body-soften them if you can; use loving kindness mantras: May I be happy, May I be healthy, May I be free from danger, May I be at peace. Click here for a guided lovingkindness meditation if you are interested in this practice

  • Write it out. Whether it is a daily journaling practice, morning pages, poetry, gratitude journaling or writing an angry letter there is so much benefit in writing out what is taking up so much space in our mind; this may also look like drawing, doodling or colouring

    • Angry letter is simply writing an uncensored letter to a person, event or anything that activated your anger without the intent to send; burning, shredding or ripping up the letter adds to the cathartic benefit

  • Laugh. I once attended a workshop where we were asked to just start laughing, at nothing. Once we got past the awkwardness of laughing about nothing everyone reported feeling energized, more uplifted and ready to take on the rest of the workshop. Even if there is no obvious reason to, just laugh. If needed, go to your favourite comedy show/movie or people that always make you giggle

  • Connect with supportive people. Humans are wired for connection, whether this is with loved ones or more formal supports, ask for what you need and let people who care about you and your well-being help you

  • Engage in your hobbies; whether it be current interests, new activities you want to try or an old hobby that can help you to honour and connect with your inner child