In these changed times, it can seem hard to hold on to your positivity, your vision for your happy, healthy future. I understand… I truly do. I’m in the middle of a health wake-up call and I realized today that taking positive action feels a bit like walking a tightrope. What do I have time and money for? How can I change my already crammed schedule to make time for these new practices to build health? Do I have time to make dreams come true AND to shore up my wellness so that I can be an active part of those dreams.
“I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.”
— Audre Lorde
The idea that self-care is a service we pay someone for is passing. Now, don’t think I’m saying there’s a thing wrong with spa day. Wellness services can be lovely when you have the time and money. But truth is, I need self-care on a daily basis, an hourly basis.
Our new world is moving very quickly. Change, while needed and positive, is also stressful. We can thrive in these new times but it takes attention to self-care. We all need simple tools of self care on board to meet our needs on a moment-by-moment basis. So, let’s talk about those tools that save me daily.
1 Breathe.
We all are aware that taking a deep breath is a go to suggestion when stressed. But do you understand the depth and power of what the breath does for you?
Conscious or mindful breathing helps your body and mind. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system- the system that announces to body and mind that you are safe. Our PNS lowers pulse and blood pressure, stops production of stress hormones, allows muscular relaxation and helps the mind shift into big picture thinking. A few good, deep breaths can bring an instant shift in how we’re feeling, our thoughts and our attitudes. Being conscious of how you are breathing can improve focus, patience, compassion, help your ability to work with others, boost confidence and clarity. Yes, all that from a breath. Practice as needed.
2. Movement
I’m here to preach exercise, although you know it’s good for you. I’m taking this one level down and just suggesting you move. Exercise is activity that is planned, structured and repetitive. Simple movement includes climbing stairs, walking thru a parking lot or better thru a park, playing with your dog or your kids. Taking a walk to enjoy the beauty of nature. Physical activity can improve brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles and improve circulation.
Our bodies are made to move. Imagine the life of someone who lived more than 100 years ago. We moved all day long to grow food, care for children and animals. In our modern world, you can spend the majority of your waking hours in front of some flavor of electronic display and get your needs met. But lack of movement changes into loss of ability to move well. Stand up, take a stroll or stretch regularly throughout your day.
3. Watch your thoughts
Meditation is such a powerful tool to thriving in our world but so many people misunderstand the practice and have determined that they can’t do it. Well, yes, you can. First you need an understanding of what meditation is. Rather than the popular misconception that meditation means stopping thought… truth is that meditation is watching your thoughts. And with a bit of practice, you learn to distance yourself a bit from your thoughts. You are not your rambling none stop flow of thoughts… you become an observer of those thoughts. In time, you can easily learn to redirect the thoughts that aren’t helping you. I’ll put a link at the end of this post to an easy practice in watching your thoughts. Learn to watch and redirect unhealthy thinking or spend a lot of life believing you are at the mercy of your busy brain.
So there are 3 simple, no cost yet vital self-care skills for you-
- breathe
- move
- be aware of your thoughts
Get familiar with these life-savers by practicing them regularly. I hope you get comfortable enough to know that when you’re feeling stress or your mind is running off with you- breathe deep, take a walk, watch your thoughts. If you need some encouragement to breathe more, move often and manage your thinking, then visit my website at SuniMoon.net where you’ll find links to YouTube videos and more new offerings coming soon.