Self-care is talked about A LOT in the online space. However, not many people actually know how to prioritize it.

My clients fill out a weekly check-in form and as soon as I see their stress level rise above a 2 out of 5, I’m asking HOW they are managing their stress and what they’re doing about it [we work together on this if they need the support].

Stress can wreak HAVOC on the body, and I’ve experienced first hand some pretty gnarly side-effects when I didn’t make self-care and stress management a priority [insert acne, gut health goes out the window, bloating, poor recovery from workouts AKA sore all the time, lack of recovery causing injury, immune system trashed - it really is a blackhole you want to avoid].

Sometimes, it's nice to see what other people are doing to manage this because it allows you to say, "hmm, I wonder if that would help me?" 

So I figured I’d share a few of my favorite grounding methods that help me connect with my mind & body and inherently soothe my central nervous system.

1. GUIDED MEDITATIONS

I love using the Insight Timer app - the free version is great but I pay $20/yr for a little more variety. I personally benefit immensely from someone guiding me, telling me what to do, what to focus on, and what to think about (or not think about lol). Whether it’s a 5-10 minute breathing/mindfulness practice or a 90 minute sleep meditation, I use this app when I need to get OUT of my head and into my body and it works wonders.

2. DOG TIME

POV: me laying on the floor looking into Laika’s eyes with extreme gratitude for her unconditional love. No phone, no distractions. Find an animal (doesn’t even have to be yours!😂) and just spend TIME with them - walk, the park, beach, your bedroom floor, playing fetch, etc. I find that putting everything else going on in your life aside, and spending time with a simple minded pet can really help give you a break. And sometimes that’s all we need to keep going.

3. PAINT BY NUMBERS

OHHHH YES. I don’t NOT have one of these that I ordered last November still unfinished😅 But seriously, I love it. It allows me to feel creative minus the pressure of creating my own image. I’m actually painting a picture I took of my mom & uncle canoeing on a lake, a special place of ours💙 So bringing this image to life while listening to music, a podcast, or just a candle burning brings me VERY calm energy.

4. JOURNALING

Before you scroll past this one, what if everything buzzing around in your head could be transferred onto paper so you could actually think with a clear mind? Yeah, try it.

If it feels like there's too much shit flying around for you to be present or focus on one thing, just grab a pen, any piece of paper will do, and write down what you would like to let go of.

There are so many different intentions you can have while journaling, the world is your oyster. 3 months ago I decided to journal about what I want to manifest for myself over the next 3 months (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and it was freaking EXCITING and so empowering. I wrote down where I would be at each new month - what I looked, felt, and acted like. Then I set a remember on my calendar to check back on that journal entry, and I actually just did it last week, and safe to say I’m bringing my dreams to fruition one small piece at a time🤩

PSSST I actually made a worksheet with this exercise if you'd like to use it! DM me on Insta and I’ll send it over.

5. NEATURE

Y'all didn’t think I’d skip this right? Again, put the phone on DND. It’s important to put your outside life aside for just a LITTLE bit so you can be fully present in the moment (this will directly combat lingering anxiety that has nothing to do with what is in front of you).

What do you see? What do you hear? Smell? Feel?

Do you see the bugs and little critters around you? Isn’t it crazy how they exist in their tiny little worlds completely separate from you living your life?

What’s the sky doing? Do you ever wonder WHY the clouds look the way they do?

HOW NEAT IS THAT?

Self-care isn't a one-size fits all and I'm certainly not saying you've got to copy my routine—but just in case you need a few 'me time' ideas I thought I'd share my favs. Your body and mind deserve a break💙

Let me know if you try any of these or want more guidance!

With love,

Madison