It’s hard to believe we are 3/4ths of the way through this year! 2020 has been both physically and mentally draining in many ways for me, but it has also been a year for self-reflection, growth, and trust. As I’m sure a lot of you can relate, there have been several times where my anxiety has flared up or I’ve felt discouraged or helpless in a time where everything seems uncertain. This makes it easy for us to lose connection with our bodies, get lost in distraction, or fall into a pattern of “going through the motions”. When I recognize this disconnect occurring, I like to rely on my tools to bring me back to myself. When working with clients, I love to talk about building a self-care toolbox! It can be fun to pick from so many options!

“Self-care” has become very trendy over the last couple of years. If you click on #selfcare in Instagram, you will see almost 35 million posts!! It’s almost as if “self-care” is a new diet. It is easy to see someone else practicing self-care and think you need to do it, too or do it the exact same way. I’m here to tell you that self-care does not work like this!

I typically choose 3 or 4 self-care strategies from my own personalized toolbox and work on them for a couple months. Some tools help me feel better almost instantly, like taking a hot bath or going for a walk outside, while others may take some time to notice the effects, like meditation or going to therapy. While these are considered self-care tools, I also like to refer to them as ways I practice wellness without obsession. Wellness without obsession is finding your balance between practicing healthy behaviors and keeping your sanity. This name is a great reminder that there is no right or wrong way to practice, and that there is no need for judgement. Here are 5 ways I am currently practicing wellness without obsession:

1. Implementing a nighttime routine

Knowing how much better I feel with good quality sleep, I’ve decided to dedicate some of my time to sleep hygiene. This begins after dinner when I put on my blue blocker glasses to help decrease blue light which can slow production of melatonin. If I am feeling anxious from the day, I will drink calming tea or take a magnesium supplement. Without being too rigid, I aim for a consistent bedtime each night. Lastly, I choose to either listen to a podcast in bed or read a book for pleasure. I have had clients express a goal of theirs is to implement a nighttime routine, but what holds them back is the belief that it has to be a long and luxurious process! While it absolutely can be, it does not HAVE to be. It can be as simple as aiming for a consistent bedtime or making tea or even washing your face and playing calm music.

2. Morning Meditation

A meditation practice is something I’ve strived for over the years. What always held me back was the idea that it had to be daily, no matter what. Or that sessions needed to be at least 20 minutes long. What has been incredibly helpful for me has been taking the “rules” out of the equation! I also am a big fan of apps. I personally use Headspace. I’ve learned over the years that my body feels good, and my digestion works best, when I have slow mornings. I am currently aiming for 3-4 mornings of meditating anywhere from 5-15 minutes long. Last week I meditated 5 mornings and the week before I did for 2. Remember that wellness without obsession leaves room for flexibility!

3. Joyful Movement

Due to the pandemic, most of us have had to adjust our daily routines, including exercise. Those of you who were avid gym-goers may have started home work outs or taken a break entirely - by the way, both options are 100% okay! Self-care means finding what is right for you! I have definitely taken some time off of formal exercise and have experimented with joyful movement in nature. While I may take a yoga or barre class (Thanks Simi and Unmeasured!!) In my office/gym/guest room, I have loved getting outside to ride my bike, walk, or even play pickleball with my husband. I try to have zero expectations for exercise during my week, and instead listen to my body on a day to day basis. While it may feel good to move your body most days, anxiety from COVID19 or work or financials does take a toll, and you may require more rest days. **You also may be working on limiting exercise due to recovery. Keep going!!

4. Moxa or Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique I learned from my acupuncturist and do at home with the guidance I received from her. Moxa involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb in the shape of a cigar, to facilitate healing. In indirect moxa, you light one end of a moxa stick and hold it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. The purpose of moxa is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health. While this may sound “woo woo” or complex, I do this for about 20 minutes up to 2 times per week, while sitting outside listening to music. For me, this is soothing and also empowering knowing that I am working to regulate a hormonal imbalance.

5. Weekend Matchas

Believe it or not, I am not a coffee drinker. As much as I have tried to be, caffeine from coffee has never agreed with me and actually increases my anxiety. Thankfully, Matcha came along and gave me something fun, trendy, and even a little health-promoting to take part in! Matcha contains antioxidants as well as L-theanine which is said to prevent that wired feeling you may experience from coffee. I’m currently drinking Gut Power Matcha by Kelsey Kinney which has pre- and probiotics. Despite Matcha being a “healthy” beverage, I keep my intake to 1-2 times per week. This is because I don’t feel my best with daily caffeine. Every body is different! More is not always better when it comes to wellness products or supplements.

Thank you for allowing me to share some of my life on this blog. I hope that you feel less discouraged about healthy behaviors that may seem overwhelming. There is a lot of noise today about what we should and shouldn’t do, which ends up causing more stress at times! I recommend starting small and picking a behavior or product that makes you feel good. Next, eliminate any judgement or rules around it. Then you are on your way to practicing wellness without obsession!