How are you doing? I hope you're all having a good summer. We're nice and toasty warm here in the Arizona desert...and that's alright. That's what we do. Wherever you are - I hope you are enjoying every day.
My topic today is, "Be Gentle With Yourself." This is something I tell my clients on a regular basis. A lot of my clients have some type of physical or emotional issue that they're wanting to heal. I provide massage, cranial unwinding or reiki to help them. They're good therapies and can be profoundly helpful, however we all play a role in our health and healing. Our attitudes, how we treat ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally are important to our healing too. That's where, being gentle with yourself comes in.
We don't always treat our bodies in a way that promotes healing. When we should be eating right, slowing down for a while and resting the injury, we may not. Being gentle with myself, so I can heal means getting plenty of rest. It can mean treating your body to a little extra pampering like Epsom Salt baths, (of course) massage, and if needed - backing off of the exercise regimen for a while.
Nutrition is also important in being gentle with ourselves. Plenty of water to keep the body well hydrated is always important, especially when nursing injury or illness. Of course you want to be selective about the food you eat, eating healthy, nutrient dense foods will promote healing.
We also want to be gentle with ourselves mentally and emotionally as well, whether you're dealing with a physical or emotional condition. How do you talk to yourself? Are you kind to yourself, or do you beat yourself up for even little mistakes? I know we all can be hard on ourselves now and then, but it's really counter productive. How would you talk to a friend that's down? That's how you need to treat yourself...be loving and gentle with yourself - all the time. Of course we can still have high standards for ourselves, but we can learn from our mistakes and press on, instead of berating ourselves.
Another way we can help ourselves and be gentle with ourselves is to practice daily meditation. Meditation can be as simple as relaxing the body and slowing down the mind. The part that many people find difficult is slowing down the mind. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a mindfulness expert says we should "be present, without judgement." This will help slow the mind chatter, but it will take practice. Meditation is so good for you and after a while you'll notice so many benefits.
Here's the bottom line - it's all about balance. If we don't treat ourselves right, we don't reap the benefit of being in that comfy, healthy, centered place of balance. Being gentle with ourselves can be a part of coming back to that. Of course you may need body work (like massage or cranial sacral therapy), you may need to seek out medical attention, or other professional help. Always get the help you need to get on track, but don't neglect your part....be kind and gentle to yourself. You deserve it.
I hope you are always gentle with and take good care of yourself. Enjoy life. It can be so much fun.
If you're in the Phoenix area, come by and get a great massage or energy work session. If you need help learning meditation, I can assist with that as well. Let me know.
Peace and Love,
Tom
Tom Kreienbrink, LMT, RM, CST
Phoenix, AZ
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