7 Self-Care Habits That Helped Me Heal (and Feel Human Again)

The tiniest adjustments are what spark the biggest healing towards feeling human again.

After cancer treatment, I didn't recognize myself—physically, emotionally, spiritually. The well-meaning advice felt like pressure. I didn’t need hustle. I needed healing, so I began exploring small, manageable shifts that met me right where I was. These seven self-care habits helped me feel human again—and I hope they support you too.

✨ You don’t have to do everything. Just start with one thing that feels kind.

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Here’s the full video with personal stories, tips, and extra insights:

Perhaps some of these suggestions will resonate and some will not, or you may need something different entirely. I hope this inspires you to find and adapt into your routine what will help you reconnect and feel human again.

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First things first… mindful breathing.

After illness, my nervous system was stuck in overdrive. Breathwork—especially box breathing—helped me feel safe in my body again. While not uncommon after trauma or long-term illness, anxiety doesn’t have to be a permanent resident.

The nervous system stays stuck in “on” when exposed to significant trauma—until we begin to remind it how to shift down and eventually turn off. Becoming mindful of my breath started a shift for my nervous system toward calm. There are many different breath practices.I’ll share just one of my go-to practices:

Box Breathing

Try this: Inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. Just one minute can make a difference.

If box breathing doesn’t feel right, start with one deep sigh. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Let the exhale be much slower and longer than the inhale. That alone can shift your state.

Second: Boundaries

Saying “no” felt unfamiliar but necessary. Every time I protected my energy, I created space to say “yes” to myself.

Post-treatment, I realized I simply had to manage my energy differently. I was drained—not just physically, but emotionally and energetically.

The thing is, if I wasn’t focusing on my own self-care, I was slowing my healing progress.So I began asking myself a question before agreeing to anything:

Is this going to contribute to my healing and recovery—or distract from it?

Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re bridges.They connect us to what matters and protect our path back to healing. And honestly? Saying “no” gave me room to start saying “yes” to myself. Every No contains a Yes—and every Yes a No.

Third: Resting without guilt.

We live in a hustle-driven world, but recovery requires deep, intentional rest. I redefined rest as healing—not laziness. That simple mindset shift changed everything.

After surgeries, chemo, and months of survival mode, my healing required real recovery—not just from illness, but from depletion. Rest is not indulgent—it’s a vital part of recovery.

And yes, we are worthy of it.

Forth: Gentle Movement

I wasn’t ready for intense exercise. Instead, yin yoga and slow walks helped me reconnect with my body from a place of compassion, not performance.

Gentle movement reminded me: my body is still mine.

Fifth: Laughter

Yes—laughter really is medicine.Humor helped lower stress, lift my spirits, and return joy to my daily routine. (Dry Bar Comedy and animal videos? Lifesavers.) Laughter lowers cortisol, increases endorphins, and especially when shared with another, it increases oxytocin. It’s a natural way to shift your emotional state—and support mental health in the healing process.

Laughter is free and—aside from sore abs—has no side effects. And if laughter isn’t available, smiling is a good back-up.

Sixth: Being in Nature

Ocean waves, quiet forests, soft grass—nature held me in ways no clinic could. Nature so freely offers healing. Science backs it too: time in nature reduces inflammation and boosts mood.

The rhythm of the waves mirrored the rhythms I was trying to relearn—breathing in, letting go. Leaves swaying in the breeze, connected me to my breath. Birds singing their poetry, reminded me to use my voice.

Seventh: Nourishing my Body with Kindness

I stopped controlling food , leaning into listening to my body, and started choosing it with care. I had felt so out of control, and controlling what I ate felt like a way to regain power over my life. Feeding your body in a nutrient-dense way is important—it’s also just as important to nourish your whole being with kindness. Healing isn’t something to be rushed. The question that changed everything?

“What would feel kind right now?”

That became my philosophy—and my life approach.

The tiniest adjustments are what spark the biggest healing.

3 Journal Prompts for Your Own Healing

Grab a notebook, or just pause and reflect:

1. What does “taking care of myself” mean to me now that I’ve changed?

2. When I listen to my body, what is it really asking for?

3. What small habit helps me feel most like myself again—and how can I honor that more often?

💛 Ready for more healing support? Subscribe on YouTube or download the Radiant Wellness Wheel to start your journey.