When you catch yourself feeling a little off or overwhelmed, it may be time to nourish your soul. To take care of the spirit within you.
Your soul is the part of you that consists of your mind, character, thoughts, and feelings. It is often neglected when you are striving for perfection, giving too much of yourself to others, or feeling unworthy.
Whenever your energy feels low, do something to nourish your soul.
When you feel good on the inside, you are more likely to shine your light on the outside.
20 Ways to Nourish Your Soul
Meditation – Finding some silence every day is the easiest way to create a connection with your inner spirit. All it takes is a few minutes to close your eyes and breathe. Bring yourself back to the present moment and listen for any guidance that you may hear.
Moving Your Body – However you move, find joy in it. Give your body respect and use it every day to maintain performance. Your body and soul will thank you.
Eating enjoyable and flavorful food – Again, respect the body that holds your soul by eating food that helps it function well. Feel the joy when it is satisfying and flavorful. Be mindful when you eat and listen to your body and soul cues.
Sleep – Rest your soul. Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day. Allow your body and soul to regenerate and prepare for the next day.
“No amount of good food can nourish a starving soul.” — Catherine Barnhoorn
Music – Get lost in some good music, whatever that means to you. Sing loudly or dance like no one is watching. Release the cares of the world and feel the rhythm of the music.
Being Creative – Follow your curiosity and find ways to be creative. Being creative gives you an outlet, a way to say “I can be who I want to be”. Finding something you enjoy doing the most will nurture your spirit by allowing you to lose yourself in a happy moment.
Helping Others – Being kind to others takes the focus off of yourself and lowers your stress levels. It lifts your mood and energy. Also, from the Positive Psychlopedia, when we’re kind, we show someone that they mean something to us. Even if they are a stranger, we’re saying: that your life matters.
Forgiveness – When you forgive, you replace negative emotions with a positive attitude. If you forgive another person, it does not mean that they are right or excused for their behavior; it just means you no longer want to carry the burden. A release that opens up space for more joy.
“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” ~ Caroline Myss
Laughter – The next time you find yourself laughing, notice what happens to your body and soul. It releases all your thoughts, and you are caught up in the moment. After a good laugh, it takes conscious effort to go back to feeling bad or having negative thoughts. It’s true medicine for your soul.
Gratitude – Gratitude is the secret key to shifting our awareness and bringing us back to the present moment. Be thankful and appreciative of all that you have in your life. From the air you breathe, the roof over your head, children, money to pay bills, health, and moments of peace. There is always something to be grateful for.
Vitamin D – While Vitamin D is good for your bones, it is also good for your soul. Feeling the sunshine on your face on a beautiful day is heavenly and at least for me, puts a smile on my face.
Read a Book that touches your heart – This is another way to lose yourself in a different world. Let go of the burdens of today and learn or experience something new through the words in a book.
“The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed is the nourishment the soul requires.” — Albert Schweitzer
Travel to New Places – Explore the world. There is so much to experience outside of the world you have created in your everyday life. Often we can feel stuck in place, but if you allow yourself to move and travel, you will see there is more to life.
Declutter your spaces – By decluttering your spaces, you not only clear space of things, you clear space in your mind. Allow yourself a clean slate to allow additional opportunities to come your way.
Be near water – Water is very therapeutic for me. It instantly brings calm to my life. The expanse of the ocean or the waves on the shore takes me to a place of meditation. Psychologists have observed that people that live near water are usually happy. Check out more benefits of living near water.
Use all of your senses – Take a walk and pay attention to what you see, hear, and smell. When you eat, be mindful of the feel and taste of your food. Using all of your senses is a way of perceiving some of the ordinary in different ways.
Take advantage of days when you are stuck inside because of heat or cold – Finish to-do lists, relax, and spend time doing some self-care. Your soul will thank you. These days may be your higher spirit’s way of giving you an excuse to slow down.
“Dreams provide nourishment for the soul just as a meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don’t, our soul dies,” says Paulo Coelho, best-selling author of The Alchemist.
Do what makes you smile – Find joy in everything you do. If you can’t find joy, is there something you can change? When you are overwhelmed, focus on something that makes you happy and see what that does to your mood. You create your life, so create something that makes you smile.
Say something nice about yourself – Raise your awareness and listen to the way you talk to yourself. Reduce the negativity and believe that you are worthy of anything you wish for. Look at yourself in the mirror every morning and say, “I love you!”
Take another step closer to your dreams – Your soul yearns for you to follow your desires. Most people quit right before their dream is about to come true because they can’t see it. You have to have some faith. Know it is coming. Believe in yourself and your dream, and keep moving in that direction.
“Take time to do what makes your soul happy.”
What all of these activities do, is open your mind and heart to see things differently. To release the negativity, raise your vibrational energy, and allow more joy in your life. That is how you nourish your soul.
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These are all such beautiful ways to uplift and nourish ourselves. One of my favorites is being near water- it is so soothing and peaceful to me, and I feel at home near it. Thank you for sharing this beautiful list!
Thanks for reading Meghan! Water does amazing things for me too, it can calm me down immediately.