Accessing Self-Care: More than a bubble bath and your favorite candle

What if I told you self-care involved far more than taking a bubble bath or lighting a lavender scented candle? Consider this: self-care cannot be bought, nor materially defined or measured. As April Benson, nationally known psychologist suggests, “You can never get enough of what you don’t really need.” We are all searching for the same things: love and affection, a sense of belonging, self-esteem, the esteem of others, and a sense of identity.  But how can we achieve this through proper self-care? 

Self-care has become a bit of a hashtag buzzword lately and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. True self-care involves the integration of all senses, an emphasis on mindful observation and genuine curiosity of the present moment. Finding moments of emotional equilibrium can be especially challenging when threatened by feelings of loneliness,  distress, anxiety, or sadness. How does one allow oneself to fully relax and unwind and find inner peace in the stillness of the moment? Hint: it is not easy and involves work and lots of practice. Here are 5 tips for integrating authentic self care into your daily routine:

1) Physical Movement- You don't need to take a Peloton class to feel the effects. A 5 minute stretch or a walk around the block is a step in the right direction (no pun intended.)

2) Breath work- Think of a 360 degree breath. Watch this video as a reference.

3) Maintaining positive social interactions- The positive health benefits of social connectedness are real. Feeling connected socially is important for your overall health and wellbeing, especially during this time of fear and uncertainty. To read more click here.

4) Laughter to reduce stress - It's the best medicine. It's science. Allow the levity in. Take a read.

5) Lead with gratitude- Meeting House friend and lead Peloton instructor Ally Love defines gratitude as “The quality of being thankful. It is the ability to appreciate to and for the kindness around you.”  Recently, Peloton celebrated Gratitude Week with a full set of classes aimed at exploring this unique virtue. To find out more and access the collection click here: