Live. Move. Rest. Digest.
As a blog writer, I’m also a blog consumer. I read for fun, to learn, and to see what topics are "hot". Without getting into the statistics of it, there are tons, literally tons of people who feel they've lost their joy, meaning, and passion.
Body scanning is a meditative technique that lets the mind wander, searching the body, looking for areas that are holding tension. If you regularly scan your body, over time, it can reveal patterns in where, and how, you hold onto stress.
As an advocate and educator, I am frequently asked about the best ways to support survivors of trauma immediately after an incident, and long term. One of the best starting points in becoming part of a strong support system, is understanding how thoroughly experiencing a traumatic event can impact someone's life. Potentially every aspect of wellness may be impacted by the traumatic experience. Those who has been traumatized are frequently shaken to the core.
One could argue that nothing we could invest in, has a greater impact on our quality of life, contentment, joy, and fulfilment than our wellness. One of the keys to achieving greater health and wellbeing, is to develop a more holistic approach to the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits. When we focus on various aspects of wellness individually, while still considering the concept more comprehensively, we'll start to feel better, inside and out.
It's my hope that those who read the story of Gabby's developing relationship with her new friend will cherish it for many years! Gabby and Katie inspire, as they make connections, solve problems, and learn life lessons. They're lovable and unique, inviting readers to see beauty within themselves, and reminding them to be true to who they are.
Those who embrace their personal strengths often feel more satisfied and content with who they are and their circumstances. Perhaps most importantly, belief in ourselves, and our abilities, is fundamentally necessary to reaching all other goals.
Quotes are a source of motivation, inspiration, relaxation, contemplation, and also courage. They can be held in one's memory, or placed somewhere they'll be seen regularly. Sometimes people put quotes on their bathroom mirror or fridge, others frame them and give them a home on work desks or walls. A good quote can help someone through emotional turbulence or support them as they push toward their physical limits. Perhaps, most importantly, quotes express complex messages, universal truths, and deep emotions, clearly and simply, in ways that resonate and move us.
I wish I'd realized, at the time, that the fatigue which kept me from checking my watch was actually the consequence of not training effectively. This turned out to be equally true of my tunnel vision. As soon as I started training to heart rate, I felt more comfortable. I was listening to my body and working within my limits. I could look at my watch or around the neighborhood, even chat with other runners! For the first time, I was actually able to enjoy myself and experience flow when I was running.
Knowing what we are feeling, sooner rather than later, also reduces the likelihood of responding in ways we later regret. We are able to remain calm, to pause and reflect on our choices, rather than having emotional outbursts. Understanding what stage, or wave, of an emotion we are experiencing is also valuable. If we are just beginning to feel an emotion, a few deep breaths may allow us to sit with it, without feeling overwhelmed. If we are in the later stages, and the waves of emotion are crashing in. We may need to take a walk, run, or cry.
Taking a more proactive approach to consent requires creating relationships where open and honest communication can take place. It involves listening intently, with all of our senses, to the words, body language, tone of voice, and movements of others, as they respond to our words, actions, and movement. It requires respecting the boundaries of others, and gracefully accepting rejection, without questioning or demanding explanations.
One way to get a great night's sleep is to go to bed, and wake up, at the same time every day. Many people drastically change their sleep habits from day to day, or between weekdays and weekends. Our bodies would prefer a predictable routine.
Our body is typically reacting to stress long before we're consciously aware of it. As we become more adept at observing ourselves, we cultivate our ability to identify the early signs of stress. Regular meditation increases our awareness of both physical sensations, and the ways that our mind and body interact.