7 Tips for Taking Better Care of Yourself by Traci Stein
Dr. Traci Stein has been creating exceptional audios for Health Journeys for 8 years now, and for good reason - she is a mindfulness maven and master of behavioral change. This week on the blog, she shares some of her favorite tips for taking better care of yourself this time of year.
Read on:
Hello all, and happy Fall!
It’s during this time of year that I find the greatest balance between spending time outdoors and going within – both literally, with a nice mug of tea - and figuratively. I’m more eager to work on myself and also to get back to all of the projects I’ve had on my to-do list for months.
Being more productive means focusing on more personal goals, as well. Like getting to the gym more often, reconnecting with friends, and remembering that self-care isn’t selfish – it’s a necessary foundation for everything we do.
If you’re hoping to take better care of you, take a look at the list below, and see which of these you’re open to trying.
- Write a list of everything that feels like a current energy drain. For me, it’s watching non-stop news coverage. For you, it might be answering every phone call you get (it’s okay to let someone leave you a voicemail!), or automatically saying “yes” to every request.
- Commit to making just one change related to your list. That might mean shutting off your phone before bed, limiting time watching TV or surfing the internet, or doing other things that leave you feeling spent.
- Try “practical mindfulness.” What I mean by this is even if formal meditation isn’t your cup of tea, use your senses to help anchor you in the present moment. After all, now is the only moment we ever truly have. So, take a break, walk outside, and feel your feet connect with the earth. Pay attention to the scent of new fallen leaves, the comfort of a cozy sweater against your skin, the changing play of light across the landscape.
- When faced with two seemingly equal choices, notice your gut feeling about which is most right for you. Make a note of this. It will help you recognize and further hone your intuition.
- Move your body. Allow yourself to be grateful for whatever it can do – right now – even if you still have a ways to go before reaching your wellness goals.
- Reach out to people who are important to you. Practice giving and receiving, both accepting and expressing kindness and caring.
- Create positive affirmations that honor and support you.
Remember, whether the path to your self-care goals feels short or miles long, the means for achieving them is the same either way: step-by-step.
Be well.
Traci
