How To Take Care of Your Inner Child

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect once again, on the past twelve months and assess how far you’ve come.

That means celebrating your successes, for sure!

Perhaps it also means, taking the time to reflect on your “inner child”! (i.e. the part of you that hasn’t quite grown up).

Because no matter your age or how many decades have whizzed by, you’re still “young at heart” – wouldn’t you agree? 

This is exactly why your inner child still needs your attention.

Lots of it!

So let me ask you:

Are you taking care of your “inner child”?

Here are 3 easy things you can do to give her the love she needs.

Feed Her Right

No question about it, when you take proper care of your body everything else falls into place.

But sometimes it isn’t as easy as it sounds.

After all, who among us hasn’t had a moment of trying to resist temptation, and caving in?

(There are so many food-related messages that we’re bombarded with 24/7, it’s kind of hard to avoid).

However, if nothing else, please do these three things:

1. If you have celiac disease, or non-celiac gluten-sensitivity (NCGS) avoid gluten at all costs.
2. If you have additional food allergies, or sensitivities, you’ll need to avoid those foods as well – until your gut gets some TLC. No exceptions!
3. Make sure your diet is filled with nourishing, whole foods of the highest quality you can afford. (Yes, that means mostly organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meat, wild salmon, nuts and seeds, and a variety of legumes).

This also means avoiding processed foods as much as possible.

And yes, your inner child might want to throw a tantrum or two – just like any child.

But ultimately, she will thank you.

 

Tell Her When It’s Time For Bed

Remember when you were a child, and your parents said, “it’s time for bed”?

Did you listen, or did you go to bed kicking and screaming?

(I’m pretty sure I was obedient, most of the time at least.)

Fast-forward to adulthood, and what do you do instead?

You set your own rules, right? (You’ve probably been doing this for years).

Nobody’s going to tell you what to do!

You’ll go to bed when you feel like it, maybe even stay up all night.

Who cares?

Your inner child cares, that’s who!

She still needs to be told when to go to bed.

So, go ahead and tell her.

Be firm, but kind.

A little discipline can be a very good thing.

 

Go Outside and Play

It’s time to step away from the computer, and have some fun!

If you’re not sure what that might entail, that’s a sure sign your inner child has been deprived for too long.

Go to a nearby park, perhaps, and hop on a swing, or challenge yourself on the monkey bars.

If nothing else, it’s enough to just tune in with nature and breathe in some fresh air.

(Did you know that outside air is typically healthier than your indoor environment? Kind of surprising, isn’t it?)

Your goal is simply to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

Even better, why not take time to enjoy something that’s near and dear to your heart that you never seem to have time for anymore?

(Because you’re always so busy).

Your Inner Child doesn’t need to be busy all the time.

She just needs to be.