By Celia Westbrook
“If you neglect to recharge a battery, it dies. And if you run full speed ahead without stopping for water, you lose momentum to finish the race.” ~Oprah Winfrey
How often do we take time to recharge our energy? Do we cultivate wellness? Or do we keep pushing through until something breaks?
We are trained to produce at all costs. It does not stop until we can no longer keep going, but that is not how we should care for the body. It deserves self-care, love, appreciation, and respect for everything it does. After all, our human body is our temple. There is no replacement, and we should not take it for granted.
As we continue navigating this journey through a global pandemic, possible career changes, and impacts on our health, we may feel physically exhausted and mentally drained. Stress impacts our bodies in all facets: physical, mental, and spiritual. But to defeat stress, we must stay optimistic. We can do that by focusing on what we CAN control and letting go of what we cannot.
- Get a Hold on Stress – acknowledging and taking charge are the first steps. Incorporating stress reduction methods, including deep breathing, sleep, meditation, mindfulness, and aromatherapy, can help relieve anxiety and stress. If stress is severe, seeking help from a qualified healthcare professional is always great.
- Exercise – aerobic exercise helps improve blood flow and moves oxygen throughout the body. Set aside 30 minutes a day to practice some form of exercise. It can be a walk, running, a bike ride, yoga, or stretching. Exercise has a positive impact on physical and mental health.
- Boost Immunity – nourishing foods are the best way to keep the immune system strong. Nourishing foods are natural foods. They’re traditionally prepared, whole, minimally processed foods and free from additives or artificial preservatives. Opt for clean protein, healthy fats, greens, fruits, and whole grains. Also, avoid skipping meals to maintain a more sustainable energy level throughout the day.
- Schedule a Massage– Research has shown that massage therapy promotes relaxation (release of endorphins – the brain chemicals that produce feelings of well-being), improves circulation (loosening muscles and tendons, reduced fatigue and pain management), improves flexibility (stretching and massaging the muscles helps the body achieve its full range of motion) – are some of the many benefits of massage.
- Practice Gratitude– look for the positive and what we already have. Express gratitude to those in your life who help make it good despite uncertainty. Doing so helps you and helps the person you express it while keeping a positive and calm perspective. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Well, I am grateful to have a glass! Practicing positive thinking and gratitude shifts the perspective to a healthy and grateful mindset.
The simple self-care practices can make all the difference; just find a few that work best for you.
Cheers to wellness,
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist |Certified Success and Life Coach
Certified Mindfulness Life Coach | USATF Certified Coach | RRCA Certified Run Coach | VDOT Distance Running Certified Coach
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