Shelter from the Storm

7 Ways to Take Good Care of Yourself

How are you doing?  What do you need right now?

I ask these questions often when teaching yoga or leading retreats.

The feedback helps me show up in the best way possible to support those that have trusted me with a snippet of their precious time.

Last week, after receiving a sweet note from someone who has been practicing yoga with my recorded classes, I reached out to see if she had any special requests for class.  Her response was this: 

“Just continue offering me shelter from the storm”

She doesn’t care which poses we practice or if I explained how tension in the hips relates to low back pain.  She just needs a space to breathe and move and be…without expectation or judgement.

I feel the same way.  

So, if you’re overwhelmed right now, know that you’re in fabulous company.  Here at the close of 2020, we’re all a little exhausted and stressed. We long for peace, ease and calm.  As we slip into a very different-feeling holiday season, there is no question…we all need support.

So, I thought I’d share a few simple things you can do to take good care of yourself.

Eat well.  We know this already, right? Who doesn’t? 

Choosing healthy, nutritious food to nourish the body is essential, but this can be tough when feeling anxious. Don’t ruminate on it — just consider, when possible, simple ways to make healthier choices: include more veggies and fruits; pay attention to portion size: drink plenty of water.

It’s not about perfection. Perfection is a train wreck for good dietary intentions. Just take the next best step forward to nourish yourself.   

I’ve spent my entire adult life encouraging people to move and I know the power it has on your mental and physical wellbeing.  When you’re worried, movement can help you get out of your head and relieve stress, while keeping you strong and mobile.  Just choose something active that feels good and lean in to it.  

Certainly, I’d love to see you on the yoga mat in my weekly Livestream classes.  Just use the link below to join us. (PJs welcome) 

COVID has made this one more difficult.  We’ve had to dig deep and get creative to find ways to connect safely at a time when connection couldn’t be more important. Reach out to your friends, family and neighbors.  I’m confident they will appreciate the effort and most likely you’ll feel better too.

Restorative endeavors are truly undervalued in our fast-paced culture here in the United States.  This fact was made glaringly clear during the three years my family spent living in Costa Rica and Mexico. 

All parts of our being need restoration, no matter where you live…especially as we process new levels of uncertainty and challenge.

So, take breaks throughout the day. Step outside, lift your eyelids to the sun and breathe in the fresh air.  Choose soothing activities like spending time surrounded by trees, taking a hot bath, putting pen to paper, or curl up with a good book.   

And get plenty of sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, make sure you have a quiet, relaxing bedtime routine — and stick to a consistent schedule. 

Simply shifting your focus to the present moment can ease anxiety about what the future holds.  It also helps you notice the small beautiful things right in front of you, that you may have lost sight of.  

If you are new to mindfulness exercises, the next time you feel stressed or anxious, try this super simple practice: 

• Get comfortable. Relax your jaw and drop your shoulders.
• Breathe deeply and count your breaths. Inhale on 1, exhale on 2, inhale on 3. When you get to 10, start over.
• When your mind wanders, bring your focus back to your breathing.

When things feel out of control, maintaining a schedule for waking, meal times, activities and sleep can provide a sense of calm.  Also, bringing order to areas in our home, like cleaning out a drawer or painting the bathroom, can be incredibly satisfying and grounding.  My kiddos certainly prefer this over me trying to control them…which I NEVER do, of course. 

We’re drawn to drama like moths to a flame.  But consuming too much news increases stress and anxiety.  Designate time to unplug — especially before you go to sleep. And choose your news wisely. 

Find other ways to fill your ears and eyes, like music, a well-chosen podcast…or my most recent favorite…watching Schitt’s Creek with my family. Just being honest.

I hope you find a nuggest of relieve from these suggestions.
And drop me a line and share your favorite way to destress, if you feel inspired. I would love hear about it!
Lastly, if you feel someone else would benefit from these tips, please share them. 

It’s the way we move through difficult circumstance, and not the absence of challenge, that enables a person at the end of a life to say…

“You know, this has been an incredible ride.”