Wow, look at you taking care of yourself!

Ever notice how people are more focused on what they aren't doing well rather than what they are? Their statements are usually padded with shoulds, wishes, and my favorite "I know..." Let's put it all together and see how familiar it sounds.

"I know I should exercise more. I wish I could get motivated. I'm sure one day I will."

If you'd like to increase exercise or any other health practices in your life, great! The best starting place, beyond actually doing so, is by taking a look at what you are already doing well to take care of yourself. All that focus on what you aren't doing is added pressure, taking you further and further away from what you want to do and making you feel bad about it in the meantime.

I was reminded of this while visiting the blog Wellness Journey. It's filled with health tips and great yoga poses that you can easily incorporate into your life. Making change doesn't have to be hard or something to lament about. How much energy do you invest in wishing things (or you) were different than they are?

Instead, consider these questions in your assessment of how well you take care of yourself. Then build from there.

Do you brush your teeth? Shower? Style or brush hair?

Do you change out of your sleep clothes into work clothes?

Are you moving at all throughout the day? Do you shift and adjust your body to get more comfortable?

Have you had a good conversation with anyone? Have you appreciated someone for being nice to you?

Do you eat? Drink water? Go grocery shopping? Eat out and support the economy? Ever share a meal?

I'm guessing you answered yes to all of those questions. Because we get so accustomed to our habits, we stop thinking of all that we do and all that is done for us that supports health. Obviously, the healthier your choices are, the better for staying well in the short term and long term. AND, it's important to learn to acknowledge any efforts you are already making. This makes it easier to choose health on a moment to moment basis and you'll feel a heck of a lot better about yourself too.

In what other ways do you take care of yourself?

Comments

[Christy]

Nice post. Part of taking good care of yourself is acknowledging your efforts. Or, as I say when I try to get people to shift their thinking, "What's new and good in your life?" Surprising how that little question can catch some people whatoff guard. New and good? What's that?

So, how do I take care of myself? I cook dinner most nights and have fun doing it. I listen to music that makes my scalp tingle or toes tap. I find something that will make me laugh once a day. I take 5 minutes to breathe if I'm feeling stressed to release it.

[Ann]

Hi Vanessa, I really like your latest blog post. It's a helpful reminder to notice and acknowledge what we're already doing to take care of ourselves, and build from there.

And here's my two cents worth: With the acknowledgment for taking care of ourselves for even the smallest of things (got up this morning, washed my face, brushed my teeth, got dressed, combed my hair, ate something nourishing, took some supplements, etc.), not only does the self-acknowledgment feel good (for most people), but as holistic physician Christiane Northrup says (and I'm paraphrasing), for each thing we complete and acknowledge, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential, it contributes to creating health for ourselves and for the cells of our bodies. When we say to ourselves, aahhh, job well done, I got up this morning. job well done, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. job well done, I got dressed, ate something nourishing and took some supplements (and so on), it brings completeness to what we've done, and contributes to our health.

Bottom line: feeling complete for even the smallest of things, contributes to our health.

This is fascinating stuff. Thank you again for inspiring me to give this more thought.

Ann

[Tia]

Relief! I was saying those very words to myself this morning ~ I really should get some exercise, if I loved myself I would be out in the sunshine and fresh air, I would eat better etc etc. Thanks for reminding me that I am already taking care of myself in so many ways :) And others! You rock Princess V xxx