A Call for Self-Care and 4 Solutions

Stress can be sneaky. It can negatively affect your health without you even knowing it.

Stress can affect every part of your life from your IMMUNE FUNCTION, to your MOOD, your HORMONES, your WEIGHT, your SLEEP and so much more.

According to the Mayo Clinic…

Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that irritating headache, your frequent insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be the cause.

If you are feeling stressed, burned out and out of balance, one of the most effective ways to take back control and push the reset button is through SELF-CARE.

Taking time for yourself can improve your overall health and well-being. That along with work-life balance can help you be happier, healthier and less prone to burnout, depression and drained mental health.

It’s easy to put yourself last on your list of priorities because you’re busy taking care of everyone else and before you know it you feel burned out, exhausted and you’ve lost a part of yourself.

That stress you feel is very likely sabotaging your health, weight and fitness goals, and maybe your relationships, productivity and life goals, too.

Think about it this way…

We all have a pitcher that we fill on a daily basis. If your pitcher is constantly pouring out, it’s likely you will start to feel the impact of that emptiness physically, emotionally and spiritually.

What if, instead, you could calm your mind, rejuvenate your body, renew your spirit, and focus on YOU for a while?

Now, you might be thinking one of these two thoughts right now…

I don’t have time for self-care.

Or

Isn’t self-care selfish?

I understand these thoughts because I used to have them, too….and here’s what’s important to know…

No matter what diet you follow, how much you exercise and what supplements you take, if you’re not managing your stress you will still be at risk for modern degenerative conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism and autoimmunity.

– Chris Kresser, leader in Functional Medicine and ancestral health

And here’s the cold hard truth…

It’s those who think they don’t have time for self-care that need it the most.

Over time, you’ve learned to live a hectic life. You’ve become used to feeling tired and stressed even though you know it’s draining you.

While the idea of taking time for yourself may seem appealing, maybe you think you just don’t have 5-20 minutes a few times a week to do it.

I’d like to challenge you on that belief, and please know that I used to feel the exact same way, so I get it.

There was a time in my life when I ran ragged and thought a full calendar and involvement in all the clubs and groups meant I was important. I mean every daily box had to be filled. I rushed from one thing to another, exercised sporadically (it wasn’t on my calendar), skipped meals or binged on junk foods, and made sure I pleased everyone around me.

Until one day, I couldn’t get out of bed. My body had been giving me hints for months that it was too much, but I didn’t listen, so it gave me a lesson I will never forget – total and complete, debilitating burnout, plus major digestion issues with multiple hospital visits to boot.

“Never again,” I said, and I did well for a long time….

….until several years later after becoming a professional counselor while also conducting personal training and fitness instruction, marrying, and taking on motherhood. I would work 50+ hours each week, then come home to cook, take care of my family and home and take on what felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Not anymore.

So, if you think you’re too busy for self-care, think again. Your body IS keeping score as much as you might like to think it isn’t.

Here’s the good news – self-care does not need to be time consuming. You can fit it into small pockets of time during the day and reduce your stress levels dramatically. It will have you feeling more patient, calm and happy.

When self-care is regularly practiced, the benefits are broad and have even been linked to positive health outcomes such as reduced stress, improved immune system, increased productivity, and higher self-esteem.

– Brighid Courtney, from the Wellness Council of America.

So, now that you realize how necessary self-care is, it’s time take on my challenge.

4 Solutions to Dramatically Reduce Stress, Improve Your Mood, and Balance Your Body and Spirit:

1. Create a unique self-care routine that you actually enjoy and works best for YOU.

Not all recommendations fit that bill. (I don’t love bubble baths…do you?) Fill your pitcher in ways that you love, so you can help others from a place of abundance.

2. Set intentions and boundaries for more joy, fulfillment and happiness.

Create an intentional, balanced life that includes focusing on your needs while still giving back in ways that align with your goals, priorities and dreams. Say good-bye to guilt.

3. Discover YOUR food/mood connection and how to eat mindfully.

Foods affect your mood and cognitive function, not just your weight, digestion, bloating, etc. Tune into what foods can be triggers for you, so you can learn to eat to fuel your body AND mind.

4. Set yourself up for long-term success.

Creating habits and routines that give you the best results and empowerment to stick to your goals with ease.

If you are feeling stressed, burned out and out of balance, one of the most effective ways to take back control and push the reset button is through SELF-CARE. Practicing self-care is a win-win! It allows you to feel better about yourself and be a better parent, partner, child, friend, professional, and colleague….a better person in general. Being in touch with your own needs and feelings allows you to show deeper empathy and love toward others.

Now….

Imagine having a road map to walk you through those four solutions so you can completely TRANSFORM how you feel over the next month in 20 minutes or less each day, on your own or with support.

I’d like to introduce you to my 4 week mind-body reset program: RENEW.

In my program you can discover simple and easy-to-implement solutions to dramatically REDUCE STRESS, IMPROVE YOUR MOOD, and BALANCE YOUR BODY AND SPIRIT in just minutes per day.

Since RENEW is a 100% online program, you can complete the course ANY TIME from ANYWHERE in the world.

You’ll receive four weekly PDF guides that will walk you through specific steps to carry out the four solutions you read about above. You can work through the guides completely on your own while having free, unlimited email access to me, or you can request coaching sessions with me if you want extra support (up to four sessions at a reduced rate). Find out more about this low-cost program by clicking HERE, or keep reading.

In my program you will:

● Discover the benefits of self-care, simple ways to get started, and how to ditch the guilt and find a routine you actually enjoy that works best for YOU, in as little as 5-20 minutes a day.

● Learn how to set intentions and boundaries for a more balanced life that includes focusing on your needs while still serving others.

● Understand how certain foods can affect your mood, cognitive function, bloating, etc. and learn how to tune into what foods can be triggers for YOU by utilizing two resources I created for you: my Food-Mood Jouornal and Food-Mood Recipe Guide with meal planning suggestions.

● Empower yourself to make simple habit shifts that fit into YOUR life so you stick to your new goals with ease and for lasting success.

How you’ll FEEL after implementing what you learn:

● More Calm

● Less Stressed

● More Focused and Productive

● More Patient

● Experience More Gratitude and Joy

Sounds great, right?

Get ready to finally CALM your mind, REJUVENATE your body and RENEW your spirit.

You deserve that.

Self-care can improve our immunity, increase positive thinking and make us less susceptible to stress, anxiety, depression and other mental, emotional and physical health issues….and issues in relationships.

If you want optimal health and less stress make a commitment to finally focus some time on YOU.

To learn more about my online program, just click the button. Or feel free to send me an email with any questions.

Disclaimer: This program is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any illness or disease. The information provided in this program is for general educational purposes, has not been reviewed nor approved by the FDA and is not intended to take the place of advice from your medical professional, licensed dietitian or nutritionist. You are solely responsible for your health care and activity choices. Participation in this program does not constitute a client-coach relationship unless you choose to add private or group coaching.

You might also like to read these related blog posts:

10 Ways to Practice Mindful Eating

Powerful Everyday Stress Solutions

How to Assess Your Current Lifestyle, Set Goals and Plan Steps to Create A Life You Love