by Samira Rauner | Dec 14, 2020 | Family Life, Family Living, Featured Post, Holidays, Wellness
With the holidays just around the corner, what better way to spend an evening with your kids than to bake festive goods? Whether or not you are celebrating Christmas, the following four treats are easy to make with children of all ages and are incredibly delicious.
Reindeer Cupcakes
For the cupcake dough you need:
100g dark chocolate
1 cup water
125g butter, softened
1 ¼ cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 ½ cups self-rising flour
½ cup plain flour
36 pretzels
18 white chocolate buttons
18 red M&Ms
36 green M&Ms
Chocolate piping gel
For the chocolate buttercream you’ll need:
125g butter, softened
3 cups icing sugar mixture
⅓ cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons milk
Method:
Preheat the oven to 320° and line eighteen ⅓ cup muffin pans with paper cases.
Start by combining the chocolate and water over low heat. Continue stirring for 5 minutes, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside and let cool.
Next, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add in the eggs and beat well. Then, add the combined flours, cocoa powder, and chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Divide evenly among the lined pans.
Bake in the preheated oven for around 20 minutes and let cool.
To make the buttercream, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until very pale. Then add the icing sugar, cocoa, and milk and beat well.
Spread the icing evenly over each cupcake. Arrange two pretzels on the sides of each cupcake to create antlers.
Place a white chocolate button in the middle of the cupcake to create the snout. Place a red M&M in the center of the white chocolate button to create a nose and use the piping gel to add a smile. Arrange the green M&Ms above the white chocolate button as eyes and top with the chocolate piping gel for pupils. Enjoy!
Courtesy of Taste Australia.
Photo by Shortgirl Shortbread on Unsplash
Gluten-free Vegan Sugar Cookies
2 ½ cups all-purpose gluten-free baking flour
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup vegan butter at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
¼ cup almond milk
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking trays with parchment.
In a bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients, and then add the vegan butter in chunks. Mix until you have a dry crumbly dough. Add the almond milk and beat until the dough comes together.
Transfer the dough to a sheet of wax paper and use the paper to form the dough into a disc. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Dust a work surface with powdered sugar and then roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about ⅛ inch of thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut the shapes you want and transfer them to the prepared baking trays.
Make sure to leave a little room between the cookies as the dough will spread slightly. Either add sprinkles to the cookies just before baking or let them cool once done to top with icing.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes and let cool for about 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy!
Courtesy of HeatherChristo.
Photo by Joyful on Unsplash
Gingerbread Cookies
3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup unsulphered molasses
For the icing you need:
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ tablespoons unsalted butter
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk
Method:
Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses, and beat until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and beat until combined.
Divide the dough into half and form it into two disks. Wrap them in parchment paper and refrigerate them for 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the disks until it is ¼ inch thick all around. Cut out cookies with different shapes (gingerbread people, stars, Christmas tree, etc.) and use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the baking sheet.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes and remove to a cooling rack. While the first batch is in the oven, take the second desk out of the refrigerator and prepare the second batch for the oven. Decorate the cookies after they have cooled.
For the icing, place all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.
Place the mixture into a ziplock bag and cut a tiny hole at one end to squeeze and draw with the icing.
Once the cookies are decorated, let dry before eating. Enjoy!
Courtesy of weelicious.
Photo by Massimo Rinaldi on Unsplash
Baked Apple Crumble
3-4 apples (about 4 cups peeled, cored, sliced)
¼ cup water
¾ all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter (softened)
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
Peel and core the apples and cut them into thin wedges. Place the apple slices into the prepared baking pan, top them with half of the cinnamon, and add the water.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, the rest of the cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to blend. Add in the softened butter until the mixture is blended and resembles coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the apples appear tender.
Serve the apple crumble with vanilla ice-cream or a drizzle of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Courtesy of TheSpruceEats.
We at SHIM wish you Happy Holidays!
Make sure to check out our podcast and our article on 2020 in review!
Written by Samira Rauner, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Samira Rauner | Dec 8, 2020 | Family Life, Family Living, Featured Post, Mental health, Words of Encouragement
This year was certainly a tough year for all of us. For many people, COVID-19 meant isolation or loss of employment, but for some, it meant the loss of a loved one.
This article explores what grief can feel like, offers tips on how to deal with grief and on how to talk to someone who has suffered a loss, and provides a list of helpful resources.
Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash
What grief can feel like
Grief, bereavement, and loss can cause many different reactions and can affect people in different ways. Everything you feel is valid – there is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel.
These, however, are some of the most common feelings:
- Anger
- Guilt
- Tiredness
- Exhaustion
- Overwhelming sadness
- Shock
- Numbness
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Aches and pains
The difference between grief and depression
Distinguishing between depression and grief isn’t always easy as the symptoms and feelings you might be having might overlap. However, there are some ways to tell the difference, but remember that clinical depression can only be diagnosed by a health professional.
- Grief can feel like a roller coaster of emotions and everyone grieves differently. However, there are usually some good and bad days, and even though you are grieving, you might still experience moments of pleasure or happiness. With depression, the feelings of emptiness and despair are constant.
However, there are a range of symptoms that might potentially suggest depression, including:
- An intense sense of guilt
- Slow speech and body movements
- Persistent inability to function
- Thoughts of suicide
- Preoccupation with dying
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Stages of bereavement or grief
There is no right or wrong way to grief, so not everyone might go through the following five stages of grief. You might find that you are not moving smoothly from one to the next, or that it takes you longer than others to move on to the next stage. That is okay.
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
Especially at the very beginning, your feelings might seem very chaotic or out of control. That is completely natural. Over time, these feelings will eventually become less intense – but remember that there is no “normal” timetable or timeframe for grieving.
Once you have reached the fourth stage, remember that moving on with your life does not mean that you have forgotten about the loss. It means that you have accepted the loss and that you are keeping the memory of the person as an important part of you.
Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash
Things you can try to help with grief
Whether it be a friend, a family member, or a mental health professional, talking to someone about what you are feeling can help ease the weight on your shoulders. You might find that the person you are talking to has experienced something similar and can help you through your grief.
- Try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern
Falling asleep can be especially hard when you are grieving, but to help with the process, try to stick to a regular sleeping pattern. If you struggle to fall asleep, have a look at some tips on how to get to sleep.
Many communities offer peer support groups where everyone shares their experience and helps each other. These groups might be particularly helpful for you if you need to talk to people who have experienced a similar situation.
- Set small targets each day
Don’t try to achieve everything at once. Instead, set small tasks and targets for yourself that you can easily achieve.
- Remember that you are not alone
When you are grieving, it is easy to feel like you are entirely alone. Remember that that is not the case. Most people feel similar to how you might be feeling after experiencing a loss. If you need to talk to someone, remember that there is support available. Scroll down to the bottom of the article for helpful resources.
- Try to avoid addictive substances and behavior
Though it can be tempting to want to numb your feelings, try to avoid things like alcohol and drugs while you are grieving. They might numb your feelings for now, but those feelings are only suppressed, and alcohol/drugs can also contribute to poor mental and physical health.
- Take care of yourself while you grieve
Experiencing a loss can quickly drain your energy and emotional reserves. It is more important than ever to look after both your physical and mental health while you are grieving: It might help to maintain your hobbies or interests, continue exercising, and sticking to your usual routine.
- Express your feelings in a tangible way
To help you deal with what you are feeling, consider creatively expressing your feelings. That can mean painting, making a scrapbook, journaling, or getting involved in a cause that was important to your loved one.
When should you seek professional help for grief?
If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of clinical depression, talk to a mental health professional as soon as possible. If you scroll to the bottom of the article, you will find a list of resources you can contact.
Contact a grief counselor or health professional if you:
- Are unable to perform your normal daily activities
- Persistently feel numb and disconnected from other
- Blame yourself for the loss of your loved one
- Wish you had died with your loved one
- Feel like life isn’t worth living
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
How to talk to someone who is grieving
Make sure that your friend or family member knows that you are there for them if they feel the need to talk. If they don’t want to talk, respect their choice, and don’t force them to open up. Here are some tips on how to talk – and listen – to someone who is grieving:
Sometimes, the grieving person might tell the same stories over and over again or might repeatedly talk about how their loved one died. Be patient and listen to them – repeating the story is a way of processing and accepting death.
- Ask how the grieving person feels
Grief can be an emotional roller coaster so what your family member or friend is feeling might change rapidly. If you are also grieving, remember that the process is an individualistic experience and your loved one might experience different emotions than you do.
- Accept your loved one’s feelings
Let the person know that you are there for them and that it is okay for them to feel whatever they might be feeling, whether it be sadness, anger, guilt, or anything else. Don’t tell someone how they should or should not feel.
- Be willing to sit in silence
Not everyone who is grieving feels the need to talk. Often, it can be just as comforting to know that they are not alone and that someone is there to keep them company.
Things to avoid saying to someone who is grieving
- “This is behind you – get on with your life.”
Everyone grieves differently and there is no timeframe for grieving. Many people feel as if moving on might mean that they are “forgetting” their loved one.
Remember that grieving has a mind of its own and works at its own pace.
- “They’re in a better place now.”
While this might seem comforting for some people, it might be that the person experiencing grief holds a different belief.
- “It’s part of God’s plan.”
Not only might the bereaved person hold a different belief, but this expression often angers people and should best be avoided.
Helpful resources if you have suffered a loss
Photo by Külli Kittus on Unsplash
Conclusion
Whether you have lost a loved one this year or whether you are trying to support someone who is currently grieving, remember that grief is an incredibly individualistic experience. There is no “normal” or right or wrong way to grieve.
Grieving might involve a range of unexpected emotions, ranging from anger to guilt, but it is important to remember that whatever you or someone else is feeling is valid and perfectly natural.
Remind yourself that grief has no timeframe and that it is okay to take all the time you need.
Written by Samira Rauner, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Samira Rauner | Nov 30, 2020 | Family Life, Family Violence, Featured Post, Teen issues, Teens
In 2019, an estimated 568,000 people in the United States were experiencing homelessness. Around 400,000 of those people were individuals, around 171,000 people in families, 96,000 chronically homeless individuals, 37,000 veterans, and 35,000 were unaccompanied youth.
But what causes homelessness and who is most affected? Read on to learn more about homelessness in the United States and how you can help. If you are experiencing homelessness, scroll to the bottom of the article for helpful resources.
Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash
Causes of Homelessness
There are many reasons for homelessness. Oftentimes, homelessness is the result of several factors rather than born from a single cause.
Structural factors refer to economic and societal issues that affect opportunities for individuals. This might lead to inadequate income, a lack of affordable housing and health supports, and/or discrimination.
A shortage of affordable housing directly contributes to homelessness, but discrimination can also impede access to housing, employment, or helpful services. Particularly sexual and racial minorities are at a greater risk of experiencing such discrimination.
Poverty and homelessness are directly linked. There are a variety of reasons for poverty, but impoverished people are frequently unable to pay for necessities such as health care, education, food, or housing. There are 40.6 million people in the United States who officially live in poverty. Impoverished people are especially vulnerable to homelessness, as it can mean that one accident, one illness, or one bill might result in them having to live on the street.
There are a variety of personal circumstances that can contribute to homelessness, including traumatic events, personal crises, mental health or addiction challenges, or disabilities.
Family violence can force individuals and families to leave home suddenly, without proper support in place. People who are experiencing family violence, particularly women, young people, and racial/sexual minorities, are particularly at risk of becoming homeless.
System failures occur when systems of support fail, resulting in people having to turn to the homelessness sector for care and support. These system failures can include a lack of support for immigrants and refugees, inadequate discharge for people leaving hospitals, or difficult transitions from child welfare.
Who experiences homelessness?
Everyone can experience homelessness. However, some groups are particularly at risk, including people living in poverty and sexual/racial minorities. For instance, 160 out of every 10,000 Pacific Islanders and Native Americans experience homelessness – the national average is 17 out of every 10,000.
Similarly, Black Americans, multiracial Americans, and Hispanics/Latinxs are also far more likely to be homeless than the national average and than white Americans. For instance, even though Black Americans only represent 12% of the population, they account for 40% of people experiencing homelessness.
This racial disparity is a by-product of systemic discrimination and inequity, with Black Americans and other racial minorities having systematically been denied rights and socioeconomic opportunities. Learn more about the lingering effects of racism here.
Photo by Tom Parsons on Unsplash
What can you do to help homeless people?
There are a variety of ways you can help someone experiencing homelessness:
- Treat homeless people with respect
Sometimes, you can help by implementing small changes. For instance, it might help to say “good morning” when passing a person on the street, and simply acknowledging them. Many homeless people report that the loss of dignity accompanying their situation can often be harder than the loss of material things.
Remember that you don’t necessarily have to donate money. You can also donate old clothes, food, shoes, or things like small kitchen items, books, or blankets. You can either donate directly to a homeless shelter or if you know someone homeless, you can also hand them your items directly.
You can also donate your time by volunteering at a homeless shelter. This often includes answering phones, distributing clothes, or serving food. Give your local homeless shelter a call and see what they need help with.
Several apps directly help someone experiencing homelessness. If you are based in or near San Francisco, you can download the app “HandUp” to read the stories of homeless people in your area and donate directly to them.
If you are based in Atlanta, you can download the app “Luv4wrd”, where every post you upload equals a coat, blanket, or pair of gloves to someone living on the streets.
For the New Yorkers among you, download the “WeShelter” app to learn how to help homeless people in your area.
If you pass a homeless person on the street, be polite and consider smiling at them. You can also offer small things, such as some spare change, a bottle of water, or a sandwich from the shop around the corner. It can also help to look up your area’s resources and pass them along, such as places where to shower, where soup kitchens are, where to get medical care, or how to get food stamps.
Resources if you are experiencing homelessness
Photo by Dimi Katsavaris on Unsplash
Conclusion
There are many reasons why someone might experience homelessness, including – but not limited to – poverty, system failure, personal circumstances, and poverty.
If you are experiencing homelessness, reach out to one of the resources above to find a shelter, food banks, counseling, or receive access to medical care.
If you are not experiencing homelessness, consider volunteering at a local shelter or donating old clothes or other items, and remember to treat people who are homeless with the respect they deserve.
Written by Samira Rauner, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Samira Rauner | Nov 16, 2020 | Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Empowerment, Family Life, Family Living, Featured Post, Mental health, Parenting, Story, Teen issues, Teens
Each year in November, countries around the world celebrate Transgender Awareness Week. This week is marked by the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which serves to commemorate all transgender people that have been lost to violence. Transgender Awareness Week is dedicated to spotlighting the transgender community and educating the public about issues transgender people face.
We at Safe Harbor want to raise awareness for the transgender community, provide you with information on how you can support trans individuals close to you, and learn how to become an ally.
Photo by Rosemary Ketchum from Pexels
What does it mean to be transgender?
‘Transgender’ is an umbrella term referring to people whose gender identity varies from the one they were assigned at birth. In its narrowest sense, the term ‘transgender’ applies to men and women whose biological make-up would traditionally label them as females and males respectively.
However, ‘transgender’ may also refer to transgenderists, non-binary, agender, gender-non-conforming or bi-gender people, or individuals who identify as genderqueer or genderfluid.
Some trans individuals choose to take hormones or undergo surgery so that their body matches their gender identity. This, however, is a very personal choice and something that each trans person needs to decide for themselves.
Issues the transgender community faces
Even though trans people have gotten a lot more visibility in recent years, they nonetheless still face severe systemic inequality, stigma, and discrimination. Here are just a few issues facing the transgender community in the United States:
- Violence: Trans people experience more violence than the average person. more than a majority of transgender people have experienced some form of intimate partner violence and 47% of trans individuals have reported that they have been assaulted at some point in their lifetime. In 2020 alone, close to 30 trans and gender non-conforming people in the United States have reportedly lost their lives to violence.
- Lack of Healthcare Coverage: A data analysis by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation found that more trans people have no health insurance coverage than the average cisgender person. Around 22% of trans people and 32% of trans people of color do not have health insurance coverage. Shockingly, 29% of trans adults report that they have been refused health care due to their gender identity.
- Lack of Legal Protection: Even though the Supreme Court has recently decided that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting sex discrimination, also applies to gender identity, there is still no comprehensive federal non-discrimination law including gender identity.
- Stigma and Discrimination: Stigma surrounding the trans community plays out in a variety of ways, including both personal connections and politics. For instance, even though transgender people face a higher rate of domestic violence than cisgender individuals, only 30% of women’s shelters are willing to house trans women. Furthermore, also close to 30% of trans people have reported that they have been not hired, fired, or denied a promotion due to their gender identity.
Photo by Mercedes Mehling on Unsplash
Being an ally: Educating yourself
While there is no one way to be a “perfect” ally, the most important thing is education. That includes learning about what it means to be transgender, but also educating yourself on the nuances of identity, language, and other issues. Helpful websites are abundant online; here are just a few resources where you can educate yourself on the transgender community:
Being an ally: Dos and Don’ts
As mentioned above, there is no one way of being a “perfect” ally, and remember that often, there is no one “right” thing to say or do.
DOs
- Listen to the person and see what pronouns they use for themselves rather than assuming.
- If you accidentally use the wrong pronoun, apologize, correct yourself, and move on instead of making a big deal out of it.
- Respect the terminology and language a transgender person is using to describe their identity (i.e. transgender, transsexual, non-binary, genderfluid, genderqueer, etc.)
- Understand and respect that there is no “right” way of transitioning.
- Challenge anti-transgender remarks or “jokes” in public spaces.
- Set an inclusive tone.
- Listen to transgender people.
- Continue to educate yourself.
- Know your limits as an ally: It is better to admit that you don’t know something than saying something incorrect or hurtful.
- Recognize and respect someone’s gender identity, regardless of whether or not they chose to have surgery or take hormones.
- Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes or to not understand. Continue to learn and act in a respectful way – even when you might not understand.
DON’Ts
- Don’t make assumptions about a transgender person’s sexual orientation.
- Do not assume a person’s pronoun.
- Don’t assume someone’s gender identity.
- Do not ask a trans person what their “real” name is. Instead, simply respect the name they are using.
- Don’t ask about a transgender person’s genitals or surgical status. Just like it would be inappropriate to ask a cisgender person about these things, it is just as private and personal for transgender folks.
- Avoid backhanded and transphobic “compliments”/comments. Here are some examples:
- You look just like a real woman/man.
- I would have never known you were trans. You are so pretty
- You’re so brave.
- You’d pass so much better, if …
- But you made such an attractive …
- Don’t say “transgenders” – instead, use “transgender people” or “the trans community”.
- Don’t place labels on individuals – instead, mirror their language and self-identification.
Photo by Delia Giandeini on Unsplash
Helpful resources
Whether you are trans yourself, whether you might be questioning, or whether you are a friend or family member of a trans person: Here we have listed resources that might help you:
Resources for trans people
How to support a trans person close to you
How to support your trans child
Hotlines and Helplines
Click here to find a very comprehensive guide for support hotlines, mental health resources, legal resources, immigration, refugee and asylum resources, domestic violence resources, employment advice, veteran resources for LGBTQIA+ people, and more.
Photo by Delia Giandeini on Unsplash
Conclusion
Even though the visibility and awareness around the transgender community have increased in the last few years, trans people nonetheless still face stigma, harassment, and discrimination both on an individual and a systemic level.
Though Transgender Awareness Week is important in raising awareness, there is still a lot that needs to be done to achieve not only social and political acceptance but equality. We at Safe Harbor hope that the information and the resources provided in this article help you, whether you are a person questioning their gender identity, a trans* person, an ally, or a friend/family member of a person identifying as trans. Feel free to share this article and help raise awareness.
Written by Samira Rauner, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
by Samira Rauner | Nov 10, 2020 | Empowerment, Family Life, Featured Post, Gratitude, Mental health, Stories of Hope, Words of Encouragement
Why is kindness important?
Tenzin Gyatso (the current Dalai Lama) said it best: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
While being kind inevitably has positive effects on the world around you, it can also help improve your own physical and mental wellbeing.
For instance, a recent study found that prosocial behavior can help prevent or mitigate the negative effects of stress, have a positive influence on social anxiety, and overall mental health. Impacting our hormone levels, random acts of kindness have been linked to both an increase in oxytocin and dopamine, inducing feelings of euphoria, and general happiness. Oxytocin is also responsible for lowering blood pressure, possibly accounting for the fact that people who volunteer regularly have a 44% lower likelihood of dying early.
While the benefits kindness can have on your own mental and physical health are undoubtedly nice side effects, practicing compassion can do so much more. Even just small acts can improve a stranger’s day, and – because kindness is contagious – they, in turn, might be kind to someone else, causing a chain reaction.
Imagine the world we could live in if everyone performed just one or two random acts of kindness a day.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
Treat others with kindness
Being more mindful of how you treat others and incorporating random acts of kindness into your routine can be hard. In case you might struggle and wonder how to go about it, we collected some tips and ideas for you.
- Put yourself in their shoes
A good starting point is to consider the situation from a different perspective and think about how you would want to be treated. Depending on the situation, it might sometimes be enough to ask someone what they need or what you can do.
Sometimes we are so stressed that we forget some of the simplest things, such as being appreciative and acknowledging others. However, it can be so simple. Consider thanking the bus driver for safely taking you to your destination, or thanking a stranger for holding open the door for you.
Remember that acts of kindness do not have to be grand gestures. They can be taking out the trash when you notice it’s full or doing the shopping without being asked to. It can be holding open the door for a stranger, inviting your friend to a cup of coffee, or calling someone to check on them.
If you feel like making a bigger gesture, consider volunteering. Typically, there are several projects within each local community looking for volunteers, such as animal shelters or youth groups. However, particularly in times of COVID-19, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer virtually as well.
- More random acts of kindness
If you need more ideas on how to show compassion and kindness in everyday situations, we have collected some more suggestions for you.
Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels
Be kind to yourself
While it is important to show compassion for others, it’s equally (if not more) important to treat yourself with kindness. Similar to performing random acts of kindness, self-compassion can have a positive impact on your general happiness, your satisfaction in life, and emotional intelligence. Studies have also found a link between self-love and lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Accepting and loving yourself can be hard and it might even take years – but that is okay. Incorporating some of these steps into your daily life will hopefully help you on your journey towards self-love.
- Carve out time for yourself
Especially when studying, working, or taking care of children, it can be difficult to find the time for some alone-time and practice mindfulness. Actively try to have a few hours a week for yourself, doing something that brings you joy. Whether it is going to the cinema, having dinner in a fancy restaurant by yourself, or just relaxing in the tub with a good book – make sure to spend those few hours taking care of only your needs and recharge.
- Give yourself recognition
We put ourselves down all too easily, trying not to show-off or seem full of ourselves. Instead, we should celebrate our achievements and accomplishments and give ourselves credit. Celebrate any and all achievements: better grades than you had expected, a delicious cake you made, or a new skill.
We tend to compare ourselves constantly. We compare ourselves with celebrities on social media or even with friends who seem to have it all figured out. Comparisons, however, slowly chip away at our self-esteem. It is difficult, but try to remind yourself that you are enough, just the way you are.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
Conclusion
Showing compassion for others has only increased in importance since COVID-19. Coronavirus has arguably had a negative impact on all of our lives, with isolation and the lack of social interaction affecting our mental health. Some also lost people close to them and are in need of some random acts of kindness, now more than ever. So consider checking up on a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, hold the door open for someone running through the rain, and remember to carve out some alone-time to allow yourself to recharge.
Written by Samira Rauner, a blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.
