Turns out research based Western medicine, ancient Eastern medicine and my life’s experience all confirm that the answer to living in a state of vibrant wellness through every age and stage of our life can be summarized in two words, self-care.
This strikes me as particularly hopeful because it means we already have everything we need to reset and restore our balance, ourselves!
Our body is always trying to give us a variety of emotional, physical and psychological signals when we are out of balance. We may feel the blues, swirling thoughts, restlessness and anxiety, frustration, anger or cravings. Whatever the signal the message is clear…cue up the self-care!
The first step is to ask one simple question;
What is ONE thing I can do to feel even better in this moment?
Here are the top ten things that give me a boost:
1. Eat a piece of dark chocolate and allow it to melt in my mouth
According to Dr. Helen Delichatsios, an internal medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and a compound called theobromine which can potentially reduce inflammation, increase cognition, lower blood pressure and increase circulation.
Dark chocolate makes me happy and is hands down my super food of choice!
2. Take a 15-minute nap
When we sleep our body naturally restores and resets our systems and enhances our physical and mental functioning.
3. Music!
My current favorite is Questlove’s 300 track playlist called The Michelle Obama Musiaqualogy, Volumes 1 - 3 on Spotify.
4. Meditation
Meditation helps us remember this too shall pass. According to mindful.org the top three meditation apps are 1) Insight timer 2.) Stop, Breath and Think and 3) Calm.
5. Gratitude
Award winning broadcast journalist Germany Kent explains the power of gratitude well; “It is a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”
6. Go outside and take a deep breath of fresh air and notice the activity in nature happening right outside the door
7. Put on lovely lotion, lip gloss and eye lashes
8. Take a walk
9. Take a soothing shower or bath
10. Phone a friend
It’s the simple things that often bring us back into balance and after all, as American Author, Annie Dillard, points out, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
Here's to your health and wellness today, and all the days to come!
Share your top mood booster in the comments below!
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