How we care for our daily wellness encompasses a broad range of practices. Begin 2023 with a few daily wellness tips from Gillian Rodriguez, MA, LPC and local private practice owner of Trellis Counseling & Co. PLLC:
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Sleep Hygiene: It starts the night before! Research shows that sleep disruption - trouble falling or staying asleep, especially if chronic - can be a key indicator that something is amiss with a person’s mental wellness. Practice sleep hygiene by creating a routine that begins an hour or so before you want to fall asleep. Minimize excessive physical activity during this timeframe, such as vigorous exercise or cleaning. If electronics are going to be used, consider relaxing, even boring content versus social scrolling.
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Setting Intentions: This is distinct from setting goals because it gives the flexibility for imperfection. If we don’t achieve a goal, this can be perceived as a failure, which is usually a negative feeling. On the other hand, setting intentions allows us to begin the day with a softer focus.
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Personalized Wellness: Long walks on the beach and bubble baths may not be for everyone. Be willing to scrap buzz worthy self-care that doesn’t actually work, and get curious about personalized ways to boost your wellness. Your practice might not be popular, or even known to you yet. As a society, we have made self-care a commercialized product and service line instead of a customized practice for ourselves.
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Self-Care is a Myth: Yes, I said it. None of us exist in a total vacuum. Effective wellness often involves things like time, space, or support from others. Example: If you are recharged by watching clouds for 30 minutes a day, you may need the cooperation of others to ensure you have that 30 minutes of sky-gazing while they manage life things.