Hello Soul Care Warriors!!!
The holiday season is upon us!!!
As we venture into all that the season will hold for us, with holiday parties, entertaining, gift giving and the like, SoCal by SoCal would like to encourage you to be sure to take some time out of the hustle and bustle to enjoy some Soul Care for you and your family this holiday season. Don’t forget to nuture your Soul through out the holidays. On the podcast, in our interview with Debi Jenkins Frankle, LMFT, we have been talking about what to do when the holidays aren’t necessarily “merry and bright.” We also bring you an interview with special guest, Director Jade Jenise Dixon, about accepting that “you are enough.” In the holiday hullabaloo, it is easy to loose sight of that fact. Use Soul Care to ground yourself in the knowledge that “You are enough” and overcome the guilt we sometimes feel about prioritizing our own needs over those of others.
It is also important to note, however, that giving to others can be good for your Soul Care. Research has indicated that giving gifts to others increases social connectedness, self-esteem, and positivity. Additionally, gift-giving triggers the brain’s reward pathway releasing neurotransmitters that increase pleasure and happiness.
To support you in your Soul Care this season, Beth and Brandy will be talking about gift giving that is good for the soul on the podcast. Additionally, Rita Funk, ACSW, SoCal’s Party Planning Diva, along with and Beth Jakubanis, LCSW have compiled a list of Soul Care based gifts. These gifts can be used to share Soul Care with yourself, friends, loved ones, or all the above!!! Read on to find your perfect Soul Care gift!!!
Soul Care through the Senses:
Aromatherapy – using the sense of smell
By giving an aromatherapy gift, you are giving the gift of reduced stress, improved sleep and an immunity boost. After all, aromatherapy is known for its ability to lessen the body’s stress response, enhance the quality and length of sleep, and promote a strong immune system. Whether for yourself or someone else, these aromatherapy candles will reap many benefits.
Or, if you are looking for a less flowery option, try:
Here are Brandy’s recommendations from Bed Bath and Beyond:
Tactile Therapy – using the sense of touch:
Warm Snuggles
The sense of touch soothes fear, anxiety and worry. It also increases trust and compassion. Consider what Beth refers to as a “Happy Blanket” to activate soothing tactile experiences. Wrapping yourself, or someone else, in soft blanket will provide endless comfort and relaxation. But wait, this blanket is not just wonderfully soft, it also comes with inspirational words on one side to inspire your spirit in addition to your body.
Massage
Massage is a type of touch that we use to melt away tensions and negative thoughts. Benefits of scalp massage include improved mood, pain reduction, improved alertness, migraine relief, decreased stress hormones (cortisol), and increased pleasure hormones (serotonin and dopamine). Give these massage options to increase Soul-Care.
Massage – 3 in 1 Electric Vibrating Scalp Massager and Facial Cleansing Brush
with 2 Massage Heads for Head Massage and 1 Cleansing Brush for Face Clean
Auditory Therapy – Using the sense of hearing:
Guided meditations from Ken Goodman help you reset your mind and recharge your mood.
Stress Free — Guided Exercises and Meditations for Total Relaxation
Kelly Howell’s meditations will stimulate the parts of your brain involved with attracting different qualities to you:
Mantras and Inspiration
Motivational words and phrases can be inspiring. Singing and reading them brings joy to our psyche. These striking bracelets have sayings that will give you a small blast of self-care and encourage you to get through the day
You Got This
Joycuff Inspirational Gifts for Women Cuff Bracelet Quote Jewelry Hard Time Gift for Friends
Braver, Stronger, Smarter
Joycuff Inspirational Bracelets Mantra Message Cuff Bangle Set of 3 You are Braver Than You Believe, Stronger Than You Seem, Smarter Than You Think,
Meditation Music
Meditation music is known to reduce stress and anxiety, relaxes the mind and body, and improves concentration. Gift a pair of these waterproof earbuds, so listening to meditation music while taking the aforementioned warm bath is not ruined by worry of getting any other earbuds wet in the tub
A good night’s sleep is fantastic self-care, but sometimes the noise from outside of the bedroom makes it challenging to fall asleep. Using a white noise machine is excellent for drowning out unwanted noise. Promoting restful sleep is beneficial to good self-care.
Marpac Dohm Classic (White) | The Original White Noise Machine
Soothing Natural Sound from a Real Fan | Noise Cancelling | Sleep Therapy, Office Privacy, Travel | For Adults & Baby | 101 Night Trial
Taste as Soul Care
Taste is a highly pleasurable experience. Sitting in a chair, sipping and savoring a warm cup of tea and the quiet around you, is a delicious way to self-care through your taste buds. This variety tea pack offers plenty of flavors for the person you are gifting to enjoy weeks of self-care one cup at a time.
Add a little sweetness with this biscotti selection:
Biscotti Cookie Gift Basket, Gourmet Gift Basket
Delicious Biscotti Artfully Decorated 18 Count Gift Box – Oh! Nuts
For Visual and Tactile Soul Care Combined, Consider Journaling:
Taking care of ourselves though self-care rituals is important, not only for our physical health but our emotional health as well. By creating the space for ourselves to breath, rest, and restore, we can be there for others.
During these hectic final weeks of the year, we can give a little self-care to others and get some in return. Remember, gift-giving positively increases our pleasure, happiness, and social connections; in essence, we are practicing self-care when we give to others. When gifting items that encourage self-care, we are promoting the emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness of others. During this holiday season, give yourself and others the loving gift of self-care.
