Self Care > Selfies

Self care is crucial in overall health and wellness. We live in such a fast-paced world and it's easy to get rundown, fatigued and burnt out. As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, our schedules seem to get busier. With graduations, proms, family parties, barbecues, and so many other activities and commitments, we find the one thing missing is time for ourselves. For me personally, I try to set aside a little ME time every day. This could be a walk with my dog in the evening, sitting with a book for a half hour instead of watching TV, spending time in our sauna (great for detoxing!) or taking a day off from the gym...this one is the hardest for me. :) I find by forcing myself to slow down, it helps give my body the recharge it needs. As many of us do, I deal with a chronic disease (in my case, Lyme Disease) which often leaves me feeling fatigued and achy. Slowing down, breathing and giving myself the gift of self care is what enables me to bounce back.

Here are some great tips to incorporate into your busy life:

1. REST - It's easy to underestimate the importance of deep, restful sleep. Aim to get at least 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep and to be in bed by 10pm. Establishing a nighttime ritual will help with this. Turning off electronics an hour before bed helps protect the our ability to release melatonin which helps with sleep. Also, taking a bath, journaling and reading a book are all great ways to wind down before bed.

2. Balance Nervous System - Many of us are in a constant state of "fight or flight" because we are using our sympathetic nervous system. When our bodies are constantly sensing a threat, it is hard to turn off this system and switch to our parasympathetic nervous system, which is also known as our "rest and digest" state. It's important to turn off the "fight or flight" response so that our bodies can focus on healing, digesting and maintaining equilibrium. Some great activities to help keep us in balance are yoga, massage, meditation, reiki, pilates and taking gentle walks in nature.

3. Empower Yourself - Believe in your body's ability to heal itself. When we embody this mindset and believe that we are healthy now and can become even healthier, we allow our body's innate ability to self heal to take over. How awesome is that!!

4. Evaluate Exercise - This was a BIG one for me! Giving up long gym workouts? No thank you, but it's so important to listen to your body. We need to find balance between vigorous exercise and more gentle modalities. This is especially true for women going through a monthly cycle. Our body gives us so many messages; we just have to be tuned in to hear them.

5. Embrace the power of community - This is all about your TRIBE. Having the connection and support of a group that are your "peeps" is so powerful, grounding, and healing. I found my tribe a few years ago. We all have a running shirt that says, "Find Your Tribe, And Love Them Hard". We are there for each other, love each other unconditionally, and have lots of fun as a group. Community can also be found in local events (like The Integrative Journey workshops), getting involved with your church or temple, walks for charity, and countless other uplifting causes. By being part of a larger, positive force, we can tap into the energy of the group, which can have an amazing healing and restorative impact

See if you can incorporate some of these suggestions into your daily life. Notice the impact it has on your sleep, your happiness, your health, and your overall state of wellbeing. We'd love to hear back from you if you notice any positive changes in your life. :)