Some are subtle and prolonged. Some are brief but so huge they knock me off my feet and leave me reeling from shock: the pain of not fitting in at school as a teenager, the sudden\u00a0death\u00a0of my father when I was away at university, my first serious breakup, the time I found myself in an emotionally abusive relationship but couldn\u2019t work up the courage to leave, a betrayal by a friend that made me question if everything that we shared was even real.<\/p>\n
At times like these, when I find myself down on my knees, the first thing to go out the window is my motivation to take care of myself. I either eat too much or stop eating. I stay in bed all day. I don\u2019t drink enough water. I drink too much alcohol. I become unkind to myself. I lose patience with myself and\u00a0with others. It just feels easier not to care.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Breaking the Cycle and Moving Forward with Self-Care Steps<\/span><\/h2>\nOnly in recent years, when I hit my mid-30s, I became aware that repeating this behavior cycle wasn\u2019t serving me in any way. In fact, they were keeping me stuck in a negative place and holding me back from healing and moving forward. During this time, I decided to break that cycle and give my intuition the voice and attention it deserved by making the following self-care steps a part of my life.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6 Daily Self-Care Rituals That Really Work<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/span>1. I Give Myself Permission Not to Feel Motivated All the Time<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nI always thought that motivation was this bright, powerful flame of desire that would drive me to do what was good for me, no matter what. After all, if something was important enough, I\u00a0should\u00a0<\/em>want to do it all the time, right? Not really. As time passed and I gained more experience in life, I realized that there would be highs and lows where I\u2019d feel like jumping off the moving train because it felt like too much work to stay on it. It\u2019s important that you recognize this and allow yourself to be in this place without feeling guilty about it. Give yourself the space you need to breathe and be still, and then gradually start easing yourself into taking the steps you need to get to where you want to be.<\/p>\n<\/span>2. I Set an Intention for the Day the Minute I Wake Up<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.yogauonline.com\/app\/uploads\/2019\/02\/27000235\/1-A-woman-waking-up-in-the-morning-taking-a-moment-for-self-care-and-reflection.webp\")
<\/p>\n
When life has knocked you off your feet, and you aren\u2019t sure where to go, the thoughts that go through your head in the first few minutes of your day can mean the difference between getting closer to the path of healing or drifting further away from it. Instead of allowing negative thoughts to take center stage in my mind the way they used to, I now guide my thoughts to these two steps the minute I wake up:<\/p>\n
\n- I think of three things that I\u2019m grateful for, and then \u2026<\/li>\n
- I set an Intention for the day ahead. This can be something as simple as keeping my spirits up throughout the day or something more challenging, such as coming up with ten actionable solutions for a difficult situation that I may be facing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>3. My Self-Care Intention Doesn\u2019t Have to be Difficult or Complicated<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nIt just has to be meaningful to you. I prioritize getting enough restful sleep. Over the past few years, I experienced several violent break-ins into my home while struggling to deal with an emotionally abusive relationship. As a result, anxiety became a constant companion, making it difficult for me to fall and stay asleep.<\/p>\n
Now, as I heal, doing my best to make sure that I get enough sleep each night has become a priority for me, and this means having a pre-sleep ritual in place<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n- I make sure my computer is turned off by 8:00 pm and that I head to bed at the same time every night.<\/li>\n
- I don\u2019t drink coffee but love tea, so I stick to caffeine-free teas after 4:00 pm.<\/li>\n
- I spend an hour before I plan to go to bed doing something that helps me let go of the stresses, excitement, and chaos of the day, and this typically means spending time with my dog and family, reading, talking to a friend, or going through a soothing yoga sequence. Within this hour, I also spend five to ten minutes questioning any stressful thoughts that I might have, with the help of Byron Katie\u2019s The Work,<\/em> so that they have less power over me and are less likely to keep me up during the night.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re finding it difficult to sleep restfully for at least seven hours a night, I encourage you to start putting together a pre-sleep routine that will help calm your mind and body down to make falling and staying asleep feel easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>4. I Focus on Building Mindfulness. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.yogauonline.com\/app\/uploads\/2019\/02\/27000309\/2-A-lady-considering-her-options-for-a-self-care-snack.webp\")
<\/p>\n
Having been an emotional eater since my teens, I can easily fall back into my old pattern of turning to food for comfort when stress and anxiety get the better of me. This is why nurturing mindfulness is an important part of my daily routine, especially when things get rough.<\/p>\n
Rather than numb me with food, alcohol, compulsive shopping, or some other habit that helps me avoid facing the difficult emotions I\u2019m experiencing, I acknowledge their presence, the discomfort that they\u2019re stirring up in me, and what the old me used to do when they came up.<\/p>\n
I then consciously decide not to give in to those old habits\u2014habits that I know will ultimately drag me down and hold me back from getting back on my feet.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re struggling to give up a habit that you know isn\u2019t good for you, here\u2019s my challenge to you: Every time you\u2019re tempted to say yes to that box of donuts, the bottle of wine, or pity party, ask yourself,\u00a0\u201cIs this going to make me stronger?\u201d\u00a0If your answer is \u201cno,\u201d move away from it.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. I Make Gentle Movement a Part of My Self-Care Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.yogauonline.com\/app\/uploads\/2019\/02\/27000342\/3-A-person-doing-yoga-pose-focusing-on-self-care.webp\")
<\/p>\n
I know I can\u2019t be happy and capable if my body isn\u2019t healthy and strong, so I exercise three to five times a week. If I\u2019m not in a good place and run low on energy, I can\u2019t make it through an intense workout involving heavy equipment, so I shift gears and go slow with my body weight instead.<\/p>\n
Fitness isn\u2019t always about going hard and fast all the time or getting flat abs\u2014it also means being able to listen to your body and spirit so that you can add purposeful movement into your day that helps you build the resilience you need to deal with the anxieties of everyday life.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6. I Learn Something New That Will Strengthen Me From the Inside Out Every Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever I feel stuck in a rut or painful place, my gut often tells me it\u2019s because I may not yet have the necessary skills, insights, or right mindset to heal and break free from it.<\/p>\n
This is why I set a goal to learn one new thing every single day by reading a book or blog post, listening to a podcast, or even connecting with someone who has more experience than I do so I can approach life or a particular situation that I\u2019m in from a fresh perspective. The internal shifts that happen don\u2019t have to be huge. Still, they do add up in a way that makes a significant difference to my life: I gradually become stronger, gain more clarity, and start feeling more confident about taking that first step in a new, healthier direction.<\/p>\n
No matter how low or lost you feel right now, I want you to know this: There\u2019s always a way out and up, and it will always start from within you.<\/p>\n
This post was republished\u00a0with permission from Tiny Buddha.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nYou can find the original post here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Michele](\"https:\/\/media.yogauonline.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/04\/06042735\/michele_lian_437c6e66a67a76c39f5283d4b66cf5c3-1.webp\" "\\"Michele")
Michele Lian<\/strong> is a food coach, group exercise trainer, author, and <\/em>all-around<\/em> science geek who\u2019s on a mission to empower people all over the world with healthy eating and strength-building superpowers. Connect with her on michelelian.com<\/a>, where she teaches foodies how to eat what they want, lose weight and conquer their cravings, or follow her on\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0I<\/a>nstagram.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/span>1. I Give Myself Permission Not to Feel Motivated All the Time<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nI always thought that motivation was this bright, powerful flame of desire that would drive me to do what was good for me, no matter what. After all, if something was important enough, I\u00a0should\u00a0<\/em>want to do it all the time, right? Not really. As time passed and I gained more experience in life, I realized that there would be highs and lows where I\u2019d feel like jumping off the moving train because it felt like too much work to stay on it. It\u2019s important that you recognize this and allow yourself to be in this place without feeling guilty about it. Give yourself the space you need to breathe and be still, and then gradually start easing yourself into taking the steps you need to get to where you want to be.<\/p>\n<\/span>2. I Set an Intention for the Day the Minute I Wake Up<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
When life has knocked you off your feet, and you aren\u2019t sure where to go, the thoughts that go through your head in the first few minutes of your day can mean the difference between getting closer to the path of healing or drifting further away from it. Instead of allowing negative thoughts to take center stage in my mind the way they used to, I now guide my thoughts to these two steps the minute I wake up:<\/p>\n
\n- I think of three things that I\u2019m grateful for, and then \u2026<\/li>\n
- I set an Intention for the day ahead. This can be something as simple as keeping my spirits up throughout the day or something more challenging, such as coming up with ten actionable solutions for a difficult situation that I may be facing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>3. My Self-Care Intention Doesn\u2019t Have to be Difficult or Complicated<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nIt just has to be meaningful to you. I prioritize getting enough restful sleep. Over the past few years, I experienced several violent break-ins into my home while struggling to deal with an emotionally abusive relationship. As a result, anxiety became a constant companion, making it difficult for me to fall and stay asleep.<\/p>\n
Now, as I heal, doing my best to make sure that I get enough sleep each night has become a priority for me, and this means having a pre-sleep ritual in place<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n- I make sure my computer is turned off by 8:00 pm and that I head to bed at the same time every night.<\/li>\n
- I don\u2019t drink coffee but love tea, so I stick to caffeine-free teas after 4:00 pm.<\/li>\n
- I spend an hour before I plan to go to bed doing something that helps me let go of the stresses, excitement, and chaos of the day, and this typically means spending time with my dog and family, reading, talking to a friend, or going through a soothing yoga sequence. Within this hour, I also spend five to ten minutes questioning any stressful thoughts that I might have, with the help of Byron Katie\u2019s The Work,<\/em> so that they have less power over me and are less likely to keep me up during the night.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re finding it difficult to sleep restfully for at least seven hours a night, I encourage you to start putting together a pre-sleep routine that will help calm your mind and body down to make falling and staying asleep feel easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>4. I Focus on Building Mindfulness. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Having been an emotional eater since my teens, I can easily fall back into my old pattern of turning to food for comfort when stress and anxiety get the better of me. This is why nurturing mindfulness is an important part of my daily routine, especially when things get rough.<\/p>\n
Rather than numb me with food, alcohol, compulsive shopping, or some other habit that helps me avoid facing the difficult emotions I\u2019m experiencing, I acknowledge their presence, the discomfort that they\u2019re stirring up in me, and what the old me used to do when they came up.<\/p>\n
I then consciously decide not to give in to those old habits\u2014habits that I know will ultimately drag me down and hold me back from getting back on my feet.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re struggling to give up a habit that you know isn\u2019t good for you, here\u2019s my challenge to you: Every time you\u2019re tempted to say yes to that box of donuts, the bottle of wine, or pity party, ask yourself,\u00a0\u201cIs this going to make me stronger?\u201d\u00a0If your answer is \u201cno,\u201d move away from it.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. I Make Gentle Movement a Part of My Self-Care Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
I know I can\u2019t be happy and capable if my body isn\u2019t healthy and strong, so I exercise three to five times a week. If I\u2019m not in a good place and run low on energy, I can\u2019t make it through an intense workout involving heavy equipment, so I shift gears and go slow with my body weight instead.<\/p>\n
Fitness isn\u2019t always about going hard and fast all the time or getting flat abs\u2014it also means being able to listen to your body and spirit so that you can add purposeful movement into your day that helps you build the resilience you need to deal with the anxieties of everyday life.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6. I Learn Something New That Will Strengthen Me From the Inside Out Every Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever I feel stuck in a rut or painful place, my gut often tells me it\u2019s because I may not yet have the necessary skills, insights, or right mindset to heal and break free from it.<\/p>\n
This is why I set a goal to learn one new thing every single day by reading a book or blog post, listening to a podcast, or even connecting with someone who has more experience than I do so I can approach life or a particular situation that I\u2019m in from a fresh perspective. The internal shifts that happen don\u2019t have to be huge. Still, they do add up in a way that makes a significant difference to my life: I gradually become stronger, gain more clarity, and start feeling more confident about taking that first step in a new, healthier direction.<\/p>\n
No matter how low or lost you feel right now, I want you to know this: There\u2019s always a way out and up, and it will always start from within you.<\/p>\n
This post was republished\u00a0with permission from Tiny Buddha.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nYou can find the original post here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nMichele Lian<\/strong> is a food coach, group exercise trainer, author, and <\/em>all-around<\/em> science geek who\u2019s on a mission to empower people all over the world with healthy eating and strength-building superpowers. Connect with her on michelelian.com<\/a>, where she teaches foodies how to eat what they want, lose weight and conquer their cravings, or follow her on\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0I<\/a>nstagram.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/span>2. I Set an Intention for the Day the Minute I Wake Up<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
When life has knocked you off your feet, and you aren\u2019t sure where to go, the thoughts that go through your head in the first few minutes of your day can mean the difference between getting closer to the path of healing or drifting further away from it. Instead of allowing negative thoughts to take center stage in my mind the way they used to, I now guide my thoughts to these two steps the minute I wake up:<\/p>\n
\n- I think of three things that I\u2019m grateful for, and then \u2026<\/li>\n
- I set an Intention for the day ahead. This can be something as simple as keeping my spirits up throughout the day or something more challenging, such as coming up with ten actionable solutions for a difficult situation that I may be facing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>3. My Self-Care Intention Doesn\u2019t Have to be Difficult or Complicated<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nIt just has to be meaningful to you. I prioritize getting enough restful sleep. Over the past few years, I experienced several violent break-ins into my home while struggling to deal with an emotionally abusive relationship. As a result, anxiety became a constant companion, making it difficult for me to fall and stay asleep.<\/p>\n
Now, as I heal, doing my best to make sure that I get enough sleep each night has become a priority for me, and this means having a pre-sleep ritual in place<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n- I make sure my computer is turned off by 8:00 pm and that I head to bed at the same time every night.<\/li>\n
- I don\u2019t drink coffee but love tea, so I stick to caffeine-free teas after 4:00 pm.<\/li>\n
- I spend an hour before I plan to go to bed doing something that helps me let go of the stresses, excitement, and chaos of the day, and this typically means spending time with my dog and family, reading, talking to a friend, or going through a soothing yoga sequence. Within this hour, I also spend five to ten minutes questioning any stressful thoughts that I might have, with the help of Byron Katie\u2019s The Work,<\/em> so that they have less power over me and are less likely to keep me up during the night.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re finding it difficult to sleep restfully for at least seven hours a night, I encourage you to start putting together a pre-sleep routine that will help calm your mind and body down to make falling and staying asleep feel easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>4. I Focus on Building Mindfulness. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Having been an emotional eater since my teens, I can easily fall back into my old pattern of turning to food for comfort when stress and anxiety get the better of me. This is why nurturing mindfulness is an important part of my daily routine, especially when things get rough.<\/p>\n
Rather than numb me with food, alcohol, compulsive shopping, or some other habit that helps me avoid facing the difficult emotions I\u2019m experiencing, I acknowledge their presence, the discomfort that they\u2019re stirring up in me, and what the old me used to do when they came up.<\/p>\n
I then consciously decide not to give in to those old habits\u2014habits that I know will ultimately drag me down and hold me back from getting back on my feet.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re struggling to give up a habit that you know isn\u2019t good for you, here\u2019s my challenge to you: Every time you\u2019re tempted to say yes to that box of donuts, the bottle of wine, or pity party, ask yourself,\u00a0\u201cIs this going to make me stronger?\u201d\u00a0If your answer is \u201cno,\u201d move away from it.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. I Make Gentle Movement a Part of My Self-Care Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
I know I can\u2019t be happy and capable if my body isn\u2019t healthy and strong, so I exercise three to five times a week. If I\u2019m not in a good place and run low on energy, I can\u2019t make it through an intense workout involving heavy equipment, so I shift gears and go slow with my body weight instead.<\/p>\n
Fitness isn\u2019t always about going hard and fast all the time or getting flat abs\u2014it also means being able to listen to your body and spirit so that you can add purposeful movement into your day that helps you build the resilience you need to deal with the anxieties of everyday life.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6. I Learn Something New That Will Strengthen Me From the Inside Out Every Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever I feel stuck in a rut or painful place, my gut often tells me it\u2019s because I may not yet have the necessary skills, insights, or right mindset to heal and break free from it.<\/p>\n
This is why I set a goal to learn one new thing every single day by reading a book or blog post, listening to a podcast, or even connecting with someone who has more experience than I do so I can approach life or a particular situation that I\u2019m in from a fresh perspective. The internal shifts that happen don\u2019t have to be huge. Still, they do add up in a way that makes a significant difference to my life: I gradually become stronger, gain more clarity, and start feeling more confident about taking that first step in a new, healthier direction.<\/p>\n
No matter how low or lost you feel right now, I want you to know this: There\u2019s always a way out and up, and it will always start from within you.<\/p>\n
This post was republished\u00a0with permission from Tiny Buddha.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nYou can find the original post here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nMichele Lian<\/strong> is a food coach, group exercise trainer, author, and <\/em>all-around<\/em> science geek who\u2019s on a mission to empower people all over the world with healthy eating and strength-building superpowers. Connect with her on michelelian.com<\/a>, where she teaches foodies how to eat what they want, lose weight and conquer their cravings, or follow her on\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0I<\/a>nstagram.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n<\/span>3. My Self-Care Intention Doesn\u2019t Have to be Difficult or Complicated<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nIt just has to be meaningful to you. I prioritize getting enough restful sleep. Over the past few years, I experienced several violent break-ins into my home while struggling to deal with an emotionally abusive relationship. As a result, anxiety became a constant companion, making it difficult for me to fall and stay asleep.<\/p>\n
Now, as I heal, doing my best to make sure that I get enough sleep each night has become a priority for me, and this means having a pre-sleep ritual in place<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n- I make sure my computer is turned off by 8:00 pm and that I head to bed at the same time every night.<\/li>\n
- I don\u2019t drink coffee but love tea, so I stick to caffeine-free teas after 4:00 pm.<\/li>\n
- I spend an hour before I plan to go to bed doing something that helps me let go of the stresses, excitement, and chaos of the day, and this typically means spending time with my dog and family, reading, talking to a friend, or going through a soothing yoga sequence. Within this hour, I also spend five to ten minutes questioning any stressful thoughts that I might have, with the help of Byron Katie\u2019s The Work,<\/em> so that they have less power over me and are less likely to keep me up during the night.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re finding it difficult to sleep restfully for at least seven hours a night, I encourage you to start putting together a pre-sleep routine that will help calm your mind and body down to make falling and staying asleep feel easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>4. I Focus on Building Mindfulness. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Having been an emotional eater since my teens, I can easily fall back into my old pattern of turning to food for comfort when stress and anxiety get the better of me. This is why nurturing mindfulness is an important part of my daily routine, especially when things get rough.<\/p>\n
Rather than numb me with food, alcohol, compulsive shopping, or some other habit that helps me avoid facing the difficult emotions I\u2019m experiencing, I acknowledge their presence, the discomfort that they\u2019re stirring up in me, and what the old me used to do when they came up.<\/p>\n
I then consciously decide not to give in to those old habits\u2014habits that I know will ultimately drag me down and hold me back from getting back on my feet.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re struggling to give up a habit that you know isn\u2019t good for you, here\u2019s my challenge to you: Every time you\u2019re tempted to say yes to that box of donuts, the bottle of wine, or pity party, ask yourself,\u00a0\u201cIs this going to make me stronger?\u201d\u00a0If your answer is \u201cno,\u201d move away from it.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. I Make Gentle Movement a Part of My Self-Care Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
I know I can\u2019t be happy and capable if my body isn\u2019t healthy and strong, so I exercise three to five times a week. If I\u2019m not in a good place and run low on energy, I can\u2019t make it through an intense workout involving heavy equipment, so I shift gears and go slow with my body weight instead.<\/p>\n
Fitness isn\u2019t always about going hard and fast all the time or getting flat abs\u2014it also means being able to listen to your body and spirit so that you can add purposeful movement into your day that helps you build the resilience you need to deal with the anxieties of everyday life.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6. I Learn Something New That Will Strengthen Me From the Inside Out Every Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever I feel stuck in a rut or painful place, my gut often tells me it\u2019s because I may not yet have the necessary skills, insights, or right mindset to heal and break free from it.<\/p>\n
This is why I set a goal to learn one new thing every single day by reading a book or blog post, listening to a podcast, or even connecting with someone who has more experience than I do so I can approach life or a particular situation that I\u2019m in from a fresh perspective. The internal shifts that happen don\u2019t have to be huge. Still, they do add up in a way that makes a significant difference to my life: I gradually become stronger, gain more clarity, and start feeling more confident about taking that first step in a new, healthier direction.<\/p>\n
No matter how low or lost you feel right now, I want you to know this: There\u2019s always a way out and up, and it will always start from within you.<\/p>\n
This post was republished\u00a0with permission from Tiny Buddha.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nYou can find the original post here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nMichele Lian<\/strong> is a food coach, group exercise trainer, author, and <\/em>all-around<\/em> science geek who\u2019s on a mission to empower people all over the world with healthy eating and strength-building superpowers. Connect with her on michelelian.com<\/a>, where she teaches foodies how to eat what they want, lose weight and conquer their cravings, or follow her on\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0I<\/a>nstagram.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- \n
- I make sure my computer is turned off by 8:00 pm and that I head to bed at the same time every night.<\/li>\n
- I don\u2019t drink coffee but love tea, so I stick to caffeine-free teas after 4:00 pm.<\/li>\n
- I spend an hour before I plan to go to bed doing something that helps me let go of the stresses, excitement, and chaos of the day, and this typically means spending time with my dog and family, reading, talking to a friend, or going through a soothing yoga sequence. Within this hour, I also spend five to ten minutes questioning any stressful thoughts that I might have, with the help of Byron Katie\u2019s The Work,<\/em> so that they have less power over me and are less likely to keep me up during the night.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019re finding it difficult to sleep restfully for at least seven hours a night, I encourage you to start putting together a pre-sleep routine that will help calm your mind and body down to make falling and staying asleep feel easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>4. I Focus on Building Mindfulness. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nHaving been an emotional eater since my teens, I can easily fall back into my old pattern of turning to food for comfort when stress and anxiety get the better of me. This is why nurturing mindfulness is an important part of my daily routine, especially when things get rough.<\/p>\n
Rather than numb me with food, alcohol, compulsive shopping, or some other habit that helps me avoid facing the difficult emotions I\u2019m experiencing, I acknowledge their presence, the discomfort that they\u2019re stirring up in me, and what the old me used to do when they came up.<\/p>\n
I then consciously decide not to give in to those old habits\u2014habits that I know will ultimately drag me down and hold me back from getting back on my feet.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re struggling to give up a habit that you know isn\u2019t good for you, here\u2019s my challenge to you: Every time you\u2019re tempted to say yes to that box of donuts, the bottle of wine, or pity party, ask yourself,\u00a0\u201cIs this going to make me stronger?\u201d\u00a0If your answer is \u201cno,\u201d move away from it.<\/p>\n
<\/span>5. I Make Gentle Movement a Part of My Self-Care Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nI know I can\u2019t be happy and capable if my body isn\u2019t healthy and strong, so I exercise three to five times a week. If I\u2019m not in a good place and run low on energy, I can\u2019t make it through an intense workout involving heavy equipment, so I shift gears and go slow with my body weight instead.<\/p>\n
Fitness isn\u2019t always about going hard and fast all the time or getting flat abs\u2014it also means being able to listen to your body and spirit so that you can add purposeful movement into your day that helps you build the resilience you need to deal with the anxieties of everyday life.<\/p>\n
<\/span>6. I Learn Something New That Will Strengthen Me From the Inside Out Every Day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h3>\n
Whenever I feel stuck in a rut or painful place, my gut often tells me it\u2019s because I may not yet have the necessary skills, insights, or right mindset to heal and break free from it.<\/p>\n
This is why I set a goal to learn one new thing every single day by reading a book or blog post, listening to a podcast, or even connecting with someone who has more experience than I do so I can approach life or a particular situation that I\u2019m in from a fresh perspective. The internal shifts that happen don\u2019t have to be huge. Still, they do add up in a way that makes a significant difference to my life: I gradually become stronger, gain more clarity, and start feeling more confident about taking that first step in a new, healthier direction.<\/p>\n
No matter how low or lost you feel right now, I want you to know this: There\u2019s always a way out and up, and it will always start from within you.<\/p>\n
This post was republished\u00a0with permission from Tiny Buddha.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
You can find the original post here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
Michele Lian<\/strong> is a food coach, group exercise trainer, author, and <\/em>all-around<\/em> science geek who\u2019s on a mission to empower people all over the world with healthy eating and strength-building superpowers. Connect with her on michelelian.com<\/a>, where she teaches foodies how to eat what they want, lose weight and conquer their cravings, or follow her on\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0I<\/a>nstagram.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" - If you\u2019re finding it difficult to sleep restfully for at least seven hours a night, I encourage you to start putting together a pre-sleep routine that will help calm your mind and body down to make falling and staying asleep feel easier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n