Today, I decided to share with you all my self-care routine. It is amazing to see more people open to it. Because let’s face it in our multi-media culture people live too much in their head, and completely forego the pleasures of connecting to the physical body. Overwhelmed by the constant stimuli, we don’t pause and breathe deeply enough.
Working long hard hours is often celebrated and encouraged. Personally, I have no problem with working hard. However, it is equally vital that we give ourselves permission to unplug. It is essential to our well-being. Giving to others is wonderful, but not at the risk of our cup running on empty. Therefore, be comfortable with being selfish every now and again.
Closing our eyes and breathing deeply, balances our mind, body and heart connection. As we practice this often, our mind feels calmer, because our emotions are settled. Have you ever felt anger, sadness come up seemingly out of the blue, but had to keep working, never pausing to check in? Finally, you do pause when it is too late, you are knee deep in an emotional – mental crisis. You are not to blame. I never grew up knowing about the power of self-love and self-care. I discovered it for myself during meditation. Years later I came across various techniques of self-care from different self-development or spiritual writers and teachers.
When we pause, reflect and breathe, our ability to be at peace, aware and present in each moment increases.
Being diagnosed with bipolar mania a decade ago, and choosing not to take drugs, meant I had to find an alternative means to heal my body-mind connection. I was so overwhelmed in the sea of emotions, feeling deeply to the bone that it would trigger mania.
Naturally, I would run into the corners of my mind to hide away. I didn’t want to be in my body. But in doing so, I began to seriously neglect my body in many ways. Deep bone pain surged through me and I didn’t feel it, I was numb for a long time. My road to recovery was not easy, but I am healing one day at a time. Therefore, I will share with you below, my daily self-care routine. It is how I stay, happy and most importantly at peace. Even when challenges arise.
Healthy organic food, exercise, dance, and sex are wonderful ways to engage with the body. Living in Florida has been a blessing because I get to walk barefoot on the sand as I watch the sunset or the occasional sunrise on the horizon. A perfect way to engage the senses of the body.
Now before I start my meditation session in the early morning, I will drink my daily cup of celery juice. I was skeptical at first, but it works! I buy organic celery and put it through the juicer. It has a variety of health benefits. I drink it on an empty stomach. Personally, I have experienced my headaches and body pain gone since I started drinking it. My partner suffers from occasional gout, experienced his gout clear up within days. Even the taste is amazing, I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy it and I do. I welcome you to try it for a few days 😉
My meditation technique below is my way of grounding into my body every morning. I unplug from everything. I close my eyes and take a deep breath in, hold for a four count and exhale. I repeat this, four times.
Once I feel settled, I bring my attention to my feet. Feeling the sensations of my feet, are they warm, cold, or achy. Are my feet tight or flexible? I start a conversation with my feet. Our feet are the foundation of our body, it is so important that our feet be strong, anchored and rooted to the ground. I ask my feet if there is anything it needs. I am patient, and I don’t rush this process. If I don’t hear thoughts, I take a deep breath and move into my calves, knees, and hips. Each breath moves me deeper into the body until I have reached the crown of my head. As I direct my awareness through the body with the breath, I am asking my body if there is anything it needs. Does it need love, strength, support? Nothing is too weird, and I find ways of giving this to my body.
Once I have reached the top of my head. I envision the light of the sun touching the top of my head ever so gently. With my breath, I direct the sun’s light into my body and deep into the core of the Earth. I end my session with deep gratitude and send out my wishes, hopes, and prayers. I open my eyes and immediately feel refreshed. It is my personal self-care routine, it helps me stay sharper, engaged, aware and focused.
I have shared my self-care routine! What is yours? Share in the comments section below.
