Find ways of fitting in tiny pockets of comfort and healing, one step at a time. Here are 10 ways to gently take care of yourself, whether you’re just starting your journey or looking for new ideas to nurture your well-being.

1. Understanding Self-Care: Listening to Yourself

Self-care can mean different things to different people. For some, it might look like a long bath or a walk in nature. For others, it’s setting boundaries, saying “no,” or taking a quiet moment to rest.

What matters most is that self-care feels right for you. It doesn’t have to look a certain way or meet anyone else’s expectations as long as you connect with yourself and finding small, meaningful ways to nurture your well-being.

2. Creating a Safe Space: Your Sanctuary, Your Rules

Feeling safe, physically and emotionally, is the foundation of healing. Maybe it’s creating a cosy corner in your home where you can retreat with a blanket and a book. Maybe it’s wearing clothes that feel soft and comforting.

And boundaries—oh, how hard they can be! But they’re necessary. Saying “no” when something feels too much, limiting time with people who drain your energy, or even turning off notifications on your phone can create a sense of control and safety.

You don’t need to explain or justify your boundaries to anyone. Your comfort matters, and you’re allowed to protect it.

3. Mindfulness and Meditation: Finding Moments of Calm

Mindfulness can weave into your day in the smallest ways. A deep breath, feeling the warmth of a cup in your hands, or listening to birds outside can all help you find a sense of grounding.

Meditation doesn’t have to be intimidating or time-consuming. Starting with a few breaths or following a short guided session can be enough to bring a sense of calm and presence. The beauty of mindfulness is that it meets you wherever you are.

4. Physical Activity: Moving in a Way That Feels Good

Reconnecting with your body can feel like a huge hurdle, especially when it has been a source of pain or betrayal. Start small. Stretch your arms overhead when you wake up. Take a walk and notice how the ground feels under your feet.

For some, yoga can be a gentle way to rebuild trust with your body. For others, it’s dancing in the kitchen to your favourite song or hugging a pet. Movement isn’t about fitness or goals—it’s about feeling alive.

Your body is yours, and every kind, gentle action reminds it that it’s safe to exist in this world.

5. Creative Expression: Letting Your Emotions Speak

Creativity offers a way to process emotions that words might not fully capture. Writing, painting, music, or even doodling on the back of an envelope can help you release what you’re carrying inside.

There’s no need to worry about the result—it’s the act of creating that matters most. It can be as raw or as messy as it needs to be, and it will always be valid.

6. Nutrition and Hydration: Kindness in the Small Things

You don’t need to overhaul your diet to nourish yourself. Start with one small thing—a piece of fruit, a meal that makes you feel warm inside, or even just drinking a glass of water when you wake up.

Food isn’t just fuel; it’s comfort, tradition, and care. When life feels chaotic, eating something nourishing is a way to ground yourself. It says, “I am worth looking after,” even on the hardest days.

7. Rest and Sleep: A Work in Progress

Let’s be honest—rest doesn’t come easily when your mind is racing. Sleep might feel impossible some nights, but rest is more than just sleep. It’s taking a moment to pause, to let yourself stop. And if sleep won’t come, lying in the comfort of your bed, feeling warm and safe, can still be a gift to your body and mind.

Try a small ritual before bed: lighting a candle, reading a comforting book, or using a soothing scent. It doesn’t have to be perfect or even consistent. Simply allowing yourself this time to rest—even if sleep eludes you—is a gentle act of care.

8. Seeking Support: You Deserve to Be Heard

You don’t have to carry this alone. Reaching out—whether it’s to a therapist, a support group, or a trusted friend—can feel terrifying, but it can also be a lifeline.

Support doesn’t mean you’re weak; in fact, asking for help is a true sign of strength. Being vulnerable—especially if others have doubted your truth in the past—takes immense courage. But the right support can make all the difference, offering validation, understanding, and a path to healing. There’s incredible strength in allowing others to hold space for you, to remind you that you’re not alone in this.

9. Setting Realistic Goals: One Step at a Time

Trauma can make the future feel like a mountain, but healing happens in the tiniest steps. Maybe it’s drinking a glass of water today or opening the curtains. Maybe it’s taking a short walk or making a list of things you want to try when you’re ready.

Small wins are still wins. Celebrate them—they’re proof that you’re moving forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

10. Practising Gratitude: Finding Light in the Darkness

Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it can soften it. If finding gratitude feels too hard right now, that’s okay—start small. Maybe it’s a kind smile from a stranger, the feel of a soft blanket, or simply a moment of quiet where the world feels a little less heavy. Try noticing just one small thing each day, like the way sunlight streams through the window or the comfort of a warm drink in your hands. These moments, though small, can be gentle reminders that there is still good to be found, even in difficult times.

Gratitude is a quiet rebellion against despair. It reminds us that even in the hardest times, there is still good to be found.

An Invitation

You don’t have to do this perfectly. Start with one tip that resonates with you, and let it be enough for today. Healing is a journey, and every act of care—no matter how small—is a step toward reclaiming your life.

And if you’re ready to connect with others on this path, explore Sanctuary, a safe haven where you can rest, replenish, and recharge with women who understand.

You are not alone.