Self-Care for Inner Abundance

By: Steff Gallante

June 2, 2025

By definition, abundance means to have a plentiful supply of something. And so it often follows that in this world where we’re constantly on the go doing, producing, and leveling up, we think in order to experience abundance, we have to do more in order to get more, even in our self-care. But the problem is: doing more in the name of reaching abundance actually just has us persistently reaching for more and more and more, which tires us out. And usually, what we get is unfulfilling because, spoiler alert: more does not always equal value. 

In reality, abundance, especially inner abundance, comes when we do less. When we keep things super simple and focused. When we tend to our basic needs with deep intention. When we quiet the noise from society and the media about what we “should” be doing or how our lives “should” look and instead, get clear on what we need, how we want to feel, and tend to those things specifically.

Yoga culture and philosophy call us to seek abundance from within. The wisdom of Ayurveda encourages us toward inner abundance through internal alignment and self-care practices carefully crafted for our individual needs. Together, these sibling sciences call us to connect deeply to ourselves, to our natural energy, our wisdom, our wants and needs. They guide us in creating a deep awareness and sense of self especially as we move through the world, cultivating a strong sense of richness and wealth internally through our moral codes, as well as through pranayama (breath work), asana (yoga shapes), bringing more of our attention towards ourselves away from the outside world, developing concentration, meditation, enlightenment, and our personal self-care practices. 

Self-care never was about treating yourself, pampering yourself, or waiting until you’ve gotten enough done to tend to your wants and needs. It was never meant to be attached to our productivity. It was always about our safe keeping so that we could feel alive, nourished, nurtured, authentic, and inspired and then connect with and tend to others from a resourced place. 

Here’s a list of 10 self-care practices for cultivating inner abundance:

1. Nourish your body with regular meals

   • However many meals you have daily, have them on a schedule as best you can to allow for complete digestion in between and to prevent overtaxing your body. 

2. Hydrate

   • Drink water and warm or room temperature teas throughout the day to maintain hydration, digestive health, mental function, and immune support!

3. Move your body

   • Whether it’s yoga, dance, strength training, bike riding, walking, swimming, sports, or some other forms of exercise, there’s no one type that is best. Do what you enjoy - or can at least tolerate! 

4. Sleep

   • Try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time daily to help regulate your internal clock. A regular sleep schedule supports stress reduction, immune function, mental clarity, and cell health.

5. Connect with nature

   • Sitting or standing outside (even just looking out the window) for a bit can help create new perspectives, problem solve, and stimulate creativity. 

6. Connect with community

   • Keep company with people of your choosing - who support you and lift you up no matter what! And allow for time to support the causes you hold dear. 

7. Me time 

   • Spend time solo doing things that light you up or allow you to decompress. Alone time and quiet time are non-negotiables!

8. Taking breaks

   • Pause throughout the day - for bio breaks, to check in with yourself, to change the scenery, to get a new perspective. Anything works, including: closing your eyes, turning away from the computer screen, connecting with your breath, a short meditation, dancing, singing, taking a walk (whether that’s outside or down the hall). 

9. Boundaries 

   • Allow yourself to uphold or create boundaries that honor you - both your no’s and yes’s! You do not have to bypass yourself for anything or anyone.

10. Tend to your mental health needs 

    • Spend time downloading into your journal, confiding in a trusted friend, and/or seeking counsel from a therapist, religious leader, or professional with expertise. And remember, there is no shame for needing to take prescribed medication to support your body’s functioning. 

You get to live abundantly from the inside out. And it is 100% doable with small steps. Choose one practice, and create a few simple options for implementing it in your daily life that don’t require a lot of time, energy, or money. Be patient and flexible as you move forward. And, give yourself a lot of grace!

Steff Gallante (she/her) is an Ayurveda practitioner, self-care coach, yoga teacher, speaker, college educator at Rutgers University, and host of the podcast, Humaning: the shit we need to talk about. She helps leaders and high-achievers who are burned out or overwhelmed explore self-care in an easeful and personal way with flexible and sustainable practices. Steff’s credentials include: a Masters of Education in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, E-RYT 500, mental health and trauma-informed yoga teacher and Continuing Education Provider with Yoga Alliance, certified Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist licensed by the Himalayan Institute, and Zumbaⓡ Instructor.

You can find more information about her work at www.steffgallante.com and connect with her on 

Instagram @steffgallante.