There are many tools that I have been using during my personal healing journey. Some have been picked up off and on and some are used on a regular, ongoing basis. I have found in the past 20 years or so, that I practice some form of yoga and/or physical exercise to keep my body healthy, limber and strong. I have preferred something of a moderate pace, like walking or swimming to activities that are super intense. Yoga with an emphasis on breathing and holding postures for a moderate length of time, suit my temperament and body type. I have tried many other types over the years, but have found for the past 10 or so years that this works best for my body now. In combination with the moderate types of exercise, I believe that performing some form of meditation is critical for me. I find that it varies based on my mood and daily needs. I know that having a set routine is probably best, but given my lack of routine in the overall schedule this also seems to work. I will go into further detail of these separately, but they can include Yoga Nidra (guided meditation), seated meditation, kirtan (spiritual singing or chanting) or meditative coloring. Yoga falls into the two categories of a physical and a meditative practice given the style of yoga I practice and teach.
My goal each day is to have a schedule that includes quiet time with some meditative activity, some physical activity, time to prepare some food that we will eat, some time to just “be” with my husband and cats and of course time spent working. In order to have control over what goes into my body, I try to cook several times per week, food that we can have for at least 4 or so meals. It is my goal that we don’t eat more than 2 meals out per week and usually less. In my desire to have control over what we eat and to manage our finances, it makes the most sense to prepare our own meals. Over the course of my life I have enjoyed cooking and meal preparation. Coming up with interesting meals and variety along with eating healthfully is always a challenge, but one that just needs to be done. I joke that I spent much of my free time grocery shopping or in meal planning & preparation. We try to make it an enjoyable activity since we do it so frequently and I am fortunate to have a partner who shares in the workload. How we eat and how we think of food impacts how we feel and our whole life, thus the need to be happy about it. We have a small family unit of 2 and are both interested in eating similarly, so it is not a huge challenge for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Daily Options of my Self Care routine:
- Physical Exercise: stationary bicycling, swimming, walking
- Yoga
- Meditation techniques including : Yoga Nidra, Seated meditation, mantra repetition, meditative coloring
- Body awareness exercises & relaxation techniques
- Angels, Guides, Masters ( through card readings or books)
- Reiki or Energy healing
- Essential Oils
- Crystals
- Receiving Bodywork- Massage & Craniosacral Therapy
- Spiritual reading
- Music: kirtan – chanting, singing, playing various instruments
- Healthful eating
- Right Company
Every day is different, but each week has elements of all of these things. It keeps my life interesting and allows me to satisfy my need for body, mind & spirit renewal.