Q: How do you practice self-care?
Practicing self-care is actually what keeps me grounded.
Taking care of myself looks like prioritizing my health when I need to. Things like taking care of myself mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and staying connected to my culture are things that help to keep me healthy all the way around.
When I need to, I make sure to reach out and ask for advice, even when it’s uncomfortable. I make it a point to talk to my Elders, my Aunties and Uncles.
I also try to surround myself with people that are also healthy. A lot of the time, a lot of young people struggle with a lot of issues, and they forget that when you surround yourself with people that are doing things who are contributing to those issues it’s only going to make it harder. It’s only going to make your life harder and make your healing journey a lot harder. And so, surrounding yourself with good people, with good hearts and good intentions that want nothing but the best for you is what helps to keep me grounded.
It’s also important for me to go outside and you know just breathe fresh air. And, literally for me the most intentional way, like if I can’t talk to my Aunties, or if I can’t go home and I can’t be a part of my community and I can’t eat my traditional foods, is for me to find ways to ground myself outside of that. For me, that looks like going on hikes with my dog. That looks like cooking myself something that reminds me of home. I also like to give myself self-care days by doing skin care.
I like to take care of myself by doing things that give me the space to really just be in my body connecting to my mind and spirit. It’s important to find the things that work for you and make it a part of your daily life, no matter how small or big.
Take care,
Sister Q
Quannah ChasingHorse
