Do you flinch at the thought of adding ONE MORE THING into your busy day? “I would, but I just don’t have time!” You may be feeling drained and weary but you just gotta keep powering through.
I’ve learned the hard way that powering through works for a while. But if we go too long without taking care of ourselves, it can get really ugly. We were never meant to exist in survival mode 24/7. And the longer we stay stuck there, the more damage we do.
I’m excited to share some things that not only helped me rise up out of the deep dark pit of a total collapse, but that also now help me every day as I’ve rediscovered JOY! And peace.
And they don’t add one minute to the day. Yay! 🙂
The goal is to reset our brains and bodies to operate in rest and digest (parasympathetic) mode. Only then can we recover, replenish and rebuild. Moving from merely surviving—to thriving! And the more we choose to do these things, the more our nervous system will want them.
Here are some to get you started. Try one today. And maybe another tomorrow. And you’ll have fun adding your own.
* Smile. A lot. They say emotion follows motion, so even if we don’t feel smiley, just doing it can start to warm up those happy feelings.
* Stand and sit up straight. Good posture not only helps our bodies but also our confidence.
* Make funny faces in the mirror. Seriously! (Even more fun with someone else who wants to play.) 🤪
* Enjoy your food. Chew slowly. Savor each bite, and the privilege of eating.
* Take a break from negative social media and news. You won’t miss anything and you’ll feel better!
* Breathe slowly and deeply. This is very calming and grounding.
* Give thanks. I’ve heard this actually can change our body chemistry. I love thanking God for so many blessings that might have gone unnoticed. When waking up, all through the day, and the last thing at night. 💜
* Try humming. Another soothing thing we can do anywhere, anytime, that can help get us out of fight or flight.
* Sing! Even if it’s just in the shower or car.
* Gaze at your favorite scenic photo. When our eyes feast on something beautiful and peaceful, our brains don’t necessarily differentiate between what’s real and what’s a photo. So our minds and bodies respond as if we were actually there.
*Hug often. Pure joy, especially if you like the person. 😊
* Slow down. When we rush, our brains react as if there is danger. Moving slowly is calming.
* Enjoy a small protein snack often. This can help maintain healthier cortisol levels. And some even sleep better with a protein snack before bed.
Finally, remember that self-care is not a luxury, but a lifeline!
YOU are worth it. 💜
(For more self-care tips and stress-busters, read Hope for the Wobbly by Welby O’Brien) 🙂
