self care rituals for a burnt out nervous system

you’re exhausted, over-stimulated, your body feels tight, your anxiety has drained you, and you so, so badly need a really good hug. but you’d also like to jump out of your skin. or maybe to escape. its all just a lot right now. you know there is some type of act of love you need to give yourself but you’re not sure where to begin.

here is a comprehensive guide to traveling inward to self-soothe. choosing to slow down and go within is a radical act of self love. we’ve been talking a lot lately (in my newsletter) about the human desire to go outside of ourselves when discomfort arises. i have been offering maps to understand why we do this, have compassion for ourselves, and begin towards a shift of going inward first. i wanted to write you a list of ideas to use when you’re feeling off, burnt out, anxious, exhausted, sad, or just point blank weird. come back to this whenever you need some ideas.

i love you so much and i am so, so, so glad you’re here.

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Self Care Rituals ੈ✩‧₊˚

❥ the “let it all go” bath

{medium energy}

there is something incredibly comforting about a bath. i’m not sure if its the water, the tub that holds you, the lighting, or a mixture of all of it. here is how i elevate my bath ritual when i need a little extra love.

• set the space with candles (lots)

• fill the tub with soaking salts or lavender bubble bath

• grab your phone or ipad and play a sound bath from YouTube.

• leave a face roller or jade roller and/or face mask/eye patches in the freezer for a bit, pull them out in time for your bath.

• any type of tea you love

take time, lots of time. move slow, slower than you think. i like to apply a face mask and let it sit for a while, just laying there breathing. i love to add one of the cold elements on top once you start feeling the heat. it is so relaxing. drink your tea.

❥ the “lets tune in” routine

{medium energy}

set a space in your room or outside that feels comforting and beautiful. a cozy blanket, some pillows, light an incense. i like to grab a deck of cards, my journal, and maybe some crystals.

• begin with some deep breaths, just tuning in, and starting slow. grab your cards and ask simply for the message you need right now (if you dont use oracle/tarot cards you can take a book you love or even your bible) pull a few cards, or flip to a random page. let your intuition guide you.

• grab your journal and use the message to inspire your journal page. see what it brings up in you. let it flow and come out. i promise you will feel so much more connected to yourself after this

❥ yin yoga

{low energy}

yin yoga is a very gentle, unbelievably easy, fool-proof practice. its easy, but the benefits are endless. it provides incredible nervous system regulation, stress support, self love, and overall wellbeing. its simply a series of supported postures held for long periods of time. think pillows, blankies, cozy relaxation.

• you can easily do this in your room, look up yin yoga on youtube and try one. i love to add essential oil sprays and candles to my space for this practice. it’s SO great before bed. many yoga studios offer a yin class as well, so check your nearby studio and see if there is one you can go to!

❥ the “i’m not leaving my bed but i wanna feel better” ritual

{low energy}

low lighting. cozy blankets. a comforting cup of tea.

get your phone and find a 30min to 1 hour soundbath (there are some with rain and fire crackling sounds… yeah.) drink the tea. close your eyes. let the sound bath wash over you. sound healing is an incredible tool of nervous system regulation that asks nothing of you except to allow it to wash over. you can totally fall asleep.

❥ magical morning routine

{medium energy}

coffee. mindset reset. deep breaths. sunshine. yup.

leave your phone. grab your journal and a yoga mat. go make your coffee. bring everything outside (a patio, a backyard, whatever works.) sip your coffee and take some deep breaths. take in the space around you. the trees, the air, the birds singing. in no particular order:

• brain dump journal. it doesn’t even need to make sense. seriously. if its in your brain, write it down. release it all. let it clear out of your head and make some space.

• stretch. there’s no right way, no specific routine. just find what feels good. some child poses, maybe some head circles. maybe a downward dog if we’re feelin’ crazy.

• gratitude. you can just think of 5 things you’re grateful for, or you can write them down. gratitude is one of the biggest hacks for a fresh mindset.

a simple morning reset that will leave you feeling better than before.

❥ the creative’s healing elixir

{medium energy}

too much thinking. too much world. to much to do’s. its time for something creative, lovely, and mindfully mind-less. my favorite is coloring but just pick your favorite. i also love to watercolor, or collage. the entire idea is to do a creative activity you love and lose yourself in it for a while. it can be so healing and calming to an over-active mind. go creative, go!

❥ no plan day

{high energy}

we’re leaving the house. but our phone is on silent, and we don’t know where were going. whatever sparks you first- drive or walk there. stroll around bookstores, grab a coffee, take your favorite book to the park. just find what feels good and nourishing to the soul. try out a first-class-free at a yoga studio. watch the sunset. write at a new coffee shop.

i am so, so proud of you for wanting to carve out time to give yourself more love.

i hope you know that in a world full of pressure to perform, dissociate, distract, and do; it is a very courageous act to slow down, go inward, tune in, and be.

if the journey of self love and the magic of journaling is something that calls to you, i’ve made a special offering just for you. it launches today. its a digital guided journal created to support you in your journey. something you can sit in sacred space with and feel a little less alone. there are guided journal prompts, open journal space, guided self love rituals, healing routines, and tangible practices all built to deepen your relationship with yourself.