When You Have Nothing Left To Give

On those days when you have nothing left to give. The days where you haven't gotten enough sleep. When your mind is racing with thoughts from the past or future. When your body feels heavy and sore. When nothing seems to go right. The days that you just don't get why they are happening. When John Lennon's 'nobody told me there'd be days like these' lyrics seem very appropriate. The days when you want to contribute, to cross things off your to-do list, to plan, to move...but you just have nothing left to give.

So what to do on these days? Sometimes it can seem easier to just call these days a write off and simply go back to bed. But what if these days were a regular occurrence? I know those with chronic health conditions can attest to this. So what if there was another way? What if you tried the following?

Saturate yourself with lavender: The mother of all calming herbs can help you with anxiety, sleep issues and pain. On those rough days try soaking in a hot bath with lavender oil. When your muscles are sore, give yourself a full body massage with coconut oil mixed with lavender oil. On those nights that you can't sleep, sip on lavender tea and sprinkle drops of oil on your pillow. On the days you have nothing left to give, let lavender nurse you back to good well-being.

Write it out: Write out everything that is stressing you out and then throw it in the bin. Write a list of things you want to get done and leave that for the next day. Write out another list with some basics for your rough day like 1. Meditate, 2. Take a short walk, 3. Listen to my favourite music. Write in your journal until your wrist is sore. Write 10 things your are grateful for. Write 10 things you like about yourself. Write a forgiveness letter. On the days you have nothing left to give, let a pen and paper help heal your hurts.

Make a dance party playlist: What was your favourite music when you were 12? Add that to your playlist. What music are you embarrassed to listen to? Add that. Some days you may lose yourself to your dance playlist, others you may find yourself simply tapping your finger along to a beat. Either way, on the days you have nothing left to give, let music elevate your soul.

Do something for others: Sometimes the best way to pull ourselves out of a funk is to do something for someone else. Send a gift to someone, ring someone just to listen to what they have to say, send a 'just thinking of you' message, tell someone just how much you appreciate them. On the days when I have nothing left to give, when I realise that others need me, my funk is almost always shaken off because I know that no matter how small, I always have something more to give.

Until next time, remember to stay committed to your wellness.