Self Care is Critical
Achieving your goals and your best life possible means taking care of your overall health and fitness: don’t forget to take care of your emotional needs, as well as your physical.
Taking care of yourself extends to your mental health and emotional wellness. Many of our Pursuit Fitness clients struggle with negative and self-defeating thoughts, especially if they have experienced a major life change, such as loss. It’s important to be kind to yourself—treat yourself how you would treat your best friend: validate, encourage, love. Dr. Kristin Neff says, “You may try to change in ways that allow you to be more healthy and happy, but this is done because you care about yourself, not because you are worthless or unacceptable as you are. Perhaps most importantly, having compassion for yourself means that you honor and accept your humanness.” (Learn more about self-compassion HERE) Some of our physical challenges stem from emotional distress. It’s important to make mental health a priority, the same way we make physical health and fitness a priority.
Here are 4 self-care activities that may help you recharge:
Take a Break
Schedule some time for yourself. Don’t work. Have a hot cup of tea with lemon and a really leisurely stroll in the middle of your workday. It’s important to slow things down once in awhile.
Try Something Fun
Take your workout outside; try a new type of fitness class; dance; rock-climb; swim. Let’s get out of the gym and move in some new ways.
Laugh
Watch a funny movie; listen to a comedic podcast; head out to a comedy club for the real deal. Laughing out loud can be amazing, and much needed, medicine.
Unplug
Irony of ironies: a blog post telling you to unplug. But you know we’re right. Set yourself some time each day where the phone gets turned off, the computer is hibernating, and the iPad is out-of-reach. Reconnect with your family and friends, your food, your books and your thoughts.
Check out this really interesting TED Talk: “The Importance of Self Care”
[ted id=2193]
Have a fantastic day!!
Your Pursuit Training Team
Recommended Reading
Some mental health resources:
http://www.mentalhealthhelpline.ca/
https://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/
More self-care activities:
http://calswec.berkeley.edu/files/uploads/activity_6c-f_self-care_activities.doc
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter:
[contact-form-7 id=”726″ title=”Mailing list”]