This month I’ve been rethinking self-care a lot, what it means, how loaded of a word it can be, and the importance of meeting ourselves where we are.
I discovered the work of Inner Workout and their five dimensions of well-being. I appreciate their contribution to the self-care conversation and love that self-care begins with listening to oneself.
Before Reiki came into my life, I thought that I practiced enough self-care by getting a manicure and pedicure when I needed to treat myself or a massage when my muscles turned into knots. Sometimes it felt enough. Sometimes the benefits were fleeting because I didn’t address what I really needed. I didn’t know how to listen to my body and pay attention to the mind-body-connection.
One of the reasons I appreciate Reiki practice so much is that it combines touch with mindfulness. Meditation, in the traditional sense, wasn’t for me, because sitting with oneself, in silence, can be quite uncomfortable. I needed something tangible, something to hold on to. Through practicing hands-on healing on the self, I learned to listen to my body. By focusing on the precepts, I learned to explore of the nature of my mind. I learned to pay attention to my thoughts and to my breathing.
The concept is simple: The body is always present and can help the mind to focus and return to the present moment. The challenge is in the practice… and often starts with taking the time to practice.
Here's a 9-minute guided meditation to help you tune into your body:
May you experience moments of self-care – today and every day.
About Andrea Deierlein & Thrive Reiki, LLC: Andrea's work specializes in helping people transform the pain of life challenges and daily adversity through the practice of Reiki. She helps people struggling with stress, anxiety and overwhelm, to relax, calm down and breathe again. Focusing on stress management and the mind-body-connection, her clients shift out of survival mode, build focus and resilience. Connect with her on www.thrivereiki.com or follow her on Instagram @andreadeierlein
