Hi Gina,
I can’t accommodate 2 people at once as there is only 1 table but I can certainly book 2 appointments back to back with enough notice. Thanks!
Yes, I get anxiety when traveling too, but I do love visiting hte the beach. I feel like walking on the sand is very grounding for me, and I always feel better if I’ve been walking in the ocean. I hear it has magnesium and electrolytes in it, so I don’t know if that’s why, or if it’s just because I’m able to relax. Yes, eating out is usually stressful. I try to always have something with me. We also try to rent condos with at least a fridge and microwave, so I can have some safe food that I can heat up available in case restaurants don’t have save food.
Hi Noelle! I love the beach too and it is so calming for me. Yes having a fridge while away is so helpful so I don’t eat too badly! It is so nice to get away for a change a pace.
I do experience anxiety when I travel – mostly related to what If a medical emergency arises while we are away – esp when traveling out of the country. Great tips.
Great tips! I do not really struggle with anxiety since I lowered my expectations ad learned to be in the moment it helped me to learn to enjoy travel more!
My husband definitely has anxiety about trips! One thing I try to do to help him is to not really have an “itinerary” but more or less like one goal per day to keep our plans flexible and low key. Then, we usually fall into our own rhythm and discover new things as well.
Traveling is stressful for all and exasperated to a higher level I’m sure for those with anxiety issues. Thank you for sharing your tips for those in need!
Great tips for regular travelers! Love the “lower your expectations” tip hahaha! I guess people who only get vacations once or twice per year are indeed anticipating it so much that a little set back can totally ruin it! Traveling with your kids can be even more stressful! so your tips on travel and how to deal with anxiety are very handy. thank you
Thanks! Yes, there is so much pressure to have a great time when you don’t get away a lot. I am hoping to change that soon! I think everyone should get away every few months to not lose their minds.. especially when you have kids 🙂
Thank you for the tips. I have bad anxiety also, and I don’t travel as much as I would like. But I need to make sure that I know all the details of the trip from the step of leaving the house to walking in the front door. And I make sure to not over plan the day. Sometimes I need to get back to a quiet place where I can be by myself and regroup. If I am around people for too long I get so drained and fidgety.
I know exactly how you feel! I need my space too after being around people for too long. I hope you can find the courage to do more traveling because it can be really relaxing and a good break from everyday life. You can make great memories to reflect on when you feel anxious 🙂
One thing was anxiety never stopped me from traveling. Now it is health issues that I am working really hard to combat. I just made sure I did everything I needed to do beforehand to fight the anxiety. If I let that control me, then I would never get anything done, lol.
I just love Myrtle Beach. Fortunately the last time I went there I was feeling really good! But I’ve had those vacations where I really wasn’t feeling well, like a trip to Nashville and Estes Park, CO. It was so hard to not feel well in such cool places. I have multiple myeloma, so I never know how I’m going to feel on any day. IBS comes with the daily chemo, and the fatigue can be overpowering. I’m heading to Texas at the end of this week to visit my girls. I’m so hoping to feel well. Regardless, I’ll enjoy the beautiful weather and company of my girls. I understand anxiety and traveling so much!
I hope you go to Italy one, let someone help you plan it, that will reduce the stress. Choose one city (I suggest Florence), and do little day trips if you want to explore. Do some guided tours, and don’t put pressure on yourself to see it all, just enjoy all that is available in this amazing city!
Great advice here. Tried to choose which I likes liked best, but I like them all. All good, sound advice. The process of shedding anxiety on a vacation is complicated, but it can be done. And you give great tips for getting there. Great post!
I have battled with anxiety when I travel and it mainly has to do with eating different foods and not feeling well because of it. I now plan ahead more and have had better success with it. I bring my normal breakfast and stay away from foods and drinks that I don’t normal consume at home.
These are really great tips regardless of whether or not you suffer from travel anxiety. I’ve learned over the years of traveling with my 3 young boys to significantly lower my expectations for daily adventures and try to eat/drink what I do at home. Makes for a much smoother vacation for all!
Reading your article was like you were with me on my last trip. I like what you said about “Too much screen time increases anxiety”. I had not thought of that. I was using it as a distraction last time but it wasn’t working. I ended up closing my eyes for awhile which eventually worked. Thanks for post!
Anxiety has ruined a few vacations of ours. Ruined night be a little harsh, but before we knew what we were dealing with it felt so overwhelming. Sticking to a regular diet and schedule are big!
I used to get anxiety when I did anything alone…including traveling. However, one time I took a leap of faith for some strange reason and extended a work trip to sight-see. Terrified but it all worked out and now my anxiety has shifted to working too much, too long….
I get anxious when traveling as well. It’s hard to overcome but your tips are good sound advice. The lowering your expectations is really hard but very accurate.
I have had issues with travel anxiety before and it is definitely something that can be very challenging. I only recently was able to travel without feeling the constant freak out.
I don’t have anxiety about traveling however your tips are great for all travelers. I too adhere to my normal healthy diet, which is plant based, when I travel. It’s essential so that my energy and wellbeing are maintained.
Great advice. I haven’t had to take care of anybody, but I know people who do. And the biggest thing I always worried about for them is that they don’t take better care of themselves. Which is true, they need to do that for themselves. Thank you for the read.
This is so true. My husband’s mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and we watched her deteriorate and pass away pretty quicky. My father in law was her primary caregiver during that time and resisted help until the last few months of her life. We found simply getting him out of the house seemed to help him the best, although often times we felt we were forcing him.
Great post!
Thanks. I am so sorry to hear that about your mother in law. It’s so tough to know how to help them and also challenging how to help the caregiver as well 🙂
I am sorry for you loss, the pain never does go away. It is hard as a caregiver because you remember it all, not just the good times. Hang in there and know you gave him so much.
What a great post! My dad lost his battle with cancer a year ago in August and my mom was his round the clock care giver. It was extremely hard on her and the fact that just one day it is all over is so overwhelming. I’m sorry for your loss ♥️
Thank you so much for being honest and open about your experience. This is so hard. I think we tend to try to cover up our own pain in these moments because of all those we are caring for are suffering with. But you’d experience is also so valid!
Yes, it was so hard on everyone and we definitely did cover up our pain to a certain extent. Guess that’s why it felt really good to be able to write about it 🙂
I am helping to care for my mother who has dementia. Half the time I take care of myself, but mostly, I just keep going on empty. This post has helped me more than you know.
I am sorry to hear you and your Mom are going through this. It’s hard to find the time for self-care when you are a caregiver. If you don’t though eventually it will catch up to you and affect your own health. Try little treats for yourself at least to help get you through. I know how you feel 🙂
I am sorry for what your family is going through. We found the people at hospice to be so wonderful and helpful in that transition. So happy the post is helpful to you. 🙂
Thank you for writing this. I feel like there will be a time when I will need this information. “Don’t assume anything” will something I will need to be cognizant of.
I totally agree with this! Unplugging and being present has become a lost experience for some! I think getting a massage and spending time meditating helps you connect with your body and your mind! Mindfulness is so important! Thank you for the great tips!!
Digital detox is totally needed with me pretty regularly! It causes me to be a lot more distracted, I feel. Great tips – I am going to experiment with 30 minutes of no screen time before bed and see how that goes. 🙂
We are so busy as a society and I think we feel like we are going to miss out on something if we don’t have our phones in our hands. I am guilty more than I should be. My husband and I have no tech nights and we also don’t have our phones out on our date nights. It’s awesome!
I need to be better about this. It’s hard when I do things I enjoy on my devices these days, like reading. But this is a good reminder to limit these things at least a bit.
The steps to disconnect are so important
yet very hard to do. If I spend time ‘cleaning’ out my email, generally by organizing and unsubscribing from what I think is ‘SPAM’, it takes a long time and I also find myself working on things that I have left for too long.
I also get distracted when I clean out my e-mail! I try to do it once per week so it doesn’t get too overwhelming. I also delete stuff every day that looks like junk mail.
So important to remember that in the end YOU are the only one who can truly heal yourself completely. If you’re not on board, the help of others won’t even matter. Thanks for sharing:)
Awesome and inspiring advice! We all forget to take care of ourselves when it counts the most..when there is a lot of stress! Thank you for the great reminder!
Growing up you are always taught how its important to surrender yourself to the people that are taking care of you: doctors, nurses etc. How great would it be if we taught children they could take ownership in their own healing?! Awesome post!
I am thankful for my nurse practitioner who really listens to me. We come up with solutions together. Don’t ever feel like I have to do anything because she says so.
As a former military family, having lots of plants was impractical. Now that he’s retired from active duty and we aren’t moving all the time, I told my husband two days ago we need to get some plants for this house. They’re so good for us and I miss having them around. Love the ideas listed in here and employ nearly all of them in my life regularly.
This is great advice. I was always a person who just relied on Western medicine. However, after having my second daughter I was refered to a Naturopath who put me on a whole bunch of vitamins to replenish what was lost from pregnancy and childbirth. What an epiphany it was…I instantly felt amazing. I’m definitely open to alternative medicine now
yep, yep, yep! I focus on positive attitudes… my kids of trauma tread an uphill path on this and will often question ‘faking happy.’ But we keep working on gratitude and that seems to boost positive. It’s a journey!
I love these ideas! I did a similar post and we both chose that neck wrap! It is a must have for self care. Your additional ideas were great! Thank you for sharing.
My husband bought me a sound machine for christmas YEARS ago and I still use it every night! I even bring it with us in the campervan on road trips! Such a great gift idea!
You are right about the stress it has already begun. Relaxing this time of year is the key so you do not go crazy. That is if you stop to take the time to do just that and relax.
Great suggestions in here, Jill! We sleep with fans on for noise but I wonder if I’d like a sound machine more. I don’t actually need three fans worth of air every night. LOL
Happy Thanksgiving!
Great ideas! I may have to put that sound machine on my Christmas List. I love weighted blankets and Epsom baths too. Those are such great ways to destress!
I am so grateful I don’t have this problem, but I know so many people who do. These are some good suggestions. I’ll have to send this link to my mom. Maybe she hasn’t tried some of them?
This is such an important post! I exercise exercise quite a bit, and I don’t stretch or recover as often as I should. I plan to practice some of the strategies on this post. Thanks for sharing!
I am so interested in learning how meditation can help with pain. I’m fascinated by people who can control pain with their minds. I have heard that people can acknowledge the pain but separate themselves from it. Working on that one …
Meditation and guided imagery as gotten me through a lot of pain. I also love the Chinese fire cupping. I have circulation issues and my massage therapist thought we should try that, and wow talk about affective. I was able to walk straight for the first time in months after a couple of treatments. As well as not have freezing feet and fingers anymore!
Yes, I have a massage on my legs every month. I also see a chiropractor once a week or so. I am a runner and I need to keep my injuries at bay. I also strength train, stretch and foam roll. It is the only way I can keep running the miles.
Movement and stretching has always been so important for me! I started seeing a chiro and an acupuncturist for the first time last year and that has been helpful too!
Thanks for the video on how to use the foam roller. I had purchased one, but wasn’t really sure how to use it! I will try to take time to relax more as well. That is a great tip. I have a hard time relaxing, but I know I need to do it.
Great tips! I lived with chronic pain for 22 years. Massage was the only thing that helped a little bit. Changing my diet relieved the pain. Amazingly no one in the medical community ever suggested that diet might provide relief.
I want to try a foam roller! I’ve never used one before.
Eating real, whole food is so important this time of year! Home cooked meals when not out at a function are great at counterbalancing all of the treats and snacks.Great list!
Not going to lie, just looking at these pictures of the massage chair makes me feel a bit more relaxed! I love upper body massage work! I’ve never had it done at work, but have had it done at a mall and it was wonderful. I was skeptical (it was a mall, after all), but it was fabulous!
I love massages! The company I work for has 6 people who come into the office once a week who we can schedule massages with, it is an amazing convenience!
I miss getting my massages and I really do have to start making more time for me. You really don’t realize how much they increase your energy while reducing aches and pains… until you’re not getting them.
I love this! Especially the comments about getting enough sleep and eating “real food” during the holidays. So often we are rushing around and eating poorly…doing these small things can significantly contribute to a yucky feeling. Great reminders indeed!
There is nothing more relaxing than a massage. I get them as often as possible. When we vacation I always make my hubby get one the first day to start of the vacation relaxed!
Chair massages are so beneficial, especially in an office setting. My real estate company regularly brings in massage therapists and their chairs and pays for everyone to receive a relaxing message.
I am going to spend more time on family photobooks this year. I keep putting them off to do things for other people. Well, this is important for my family, and they come first!
I definitely need to exercise at least 3 times a week. I also would like to get my blogging business going. I just started in October, but I want it to be successful right away. This is such a good guide to writing out goals. I’m going to use this to write my goals down today.
I love the questions you provided! Great ideas for discovery and implementation. My focus is on health and wellness with an emphasis on weight loss and being alcohol free.
I love this! I just started this today with a new goal to workout 3 times a week. I asked my husband to keep me accountable and to push me even when I get mad lol
I tend to be an optimist, but when I find myself feeling dark or unhappy, and have learned that when I fill my heart with gratitude, rather than thinking about the things that are “wrong” (by my standards) with my life I am in a much better better mood. God blesses a grateful heart, with contentedness even if it not with the things we want!
Love this! For the first time ever, I set goals for different parts of my life (personal, marriage, parenting…) and I am super excited to see what happens!
I love setting goals and then creating action steps. I’m a list making, check mark making fiend. ?
One of my goals is to plan out a month of blog posts and social media shares at a time. January is planned out and it’s saved me so much time.
It’s so important to stay on top of your health during the holidays. Things can get crazy fast and being in a good frame of mind helps get through them just a tad easier.
I have always wanted to try this for weight loss.. always skeptical about it so thank you for sharing this could be a good series for me on my blog to see how it works!
I’m going to try this. I’m a firm believer in hypnosis and am so interested in learning more. My half-sister was cured of years of insomnia through hypnosis. The subconscious mind is so powerful! Looking forward to hearing more through your blog.
This is interesting. I just had a friend do hypnotherapy as a therapy for some issues she felt was blocking her and she said it has been life-changing.
I am a licensed mental health therapist and one of my mates from grad school continued on to hypnotherapy. I really don’t know much about it, but anything that helps is great!
What a great breakdown of different massage types and what they work well for. I really should go more often than I do. My sister is a LMT and teaches me all sorts of cool info also. I think a lot of the philosophy surrounding massages are so interesting.
I have always believed in massages for their health benefits and not just for a pampering day at a spa. I need to make time to get them more often. Maybe I’ll try them all!
I’ve always wanted to try hot stone massage and Reiki. Oh, and reflexology. Everything is better after a massage. I would get one every day if I could!
I’m so glad I came across this today! I deal with daily pain from brain surgery and four bulging disks in my neck. I’ve been through physical therapy, injections, etc., but nothing is helping. I did try a massage several months ago, but I didn’t choose the right therapist. And I know now, after reading your post, that I didn’t know what kind of massage to ask for. I’m going to talk to my doctors to see if they can point me in the right direction and see if my insurance would cover this treatment. Thank you!
Thanks Holly! If you have pain, you may want to try myofascial work or a lighter technique. Let me know if you have questions because people who have chronic pain are my focus 🙂
One of each for me, please. I’ve had most, except the hot stone and I can’t wait to experience it. Thanks for explaining them…I just know I feel great afterwards.
I never realized all of the different types of massages before. I realyl need to go more regularly! I always feel so much better after I’ve had a massage.
You deserve it! Just do some research to find the right match for you. It is best to look for someone with some experience especially for your first massage so they can explain to you what to expect. Let me know if you go and how it goes 🙂
I’ve only had two or three massages in my life and each of them caused me significant pain after. It’s sad because I love the idea ~ especially the relaxing and working out toxins part…but it just hasn’t worked for me over the years.
I am sorry you haven’t had good experiences with massage therapy. Perhaps they were not trained enough to use more gentle techniques. No one should be in pain during or after! I hope you try it again someday and find someone who can change your mind about it 🙂
I love using essential oils and I like reading how people use them, I’ve been using them for over 30 years and these combination are spot on for stress and anxiety!
I do enjoy using oils. One of my favorites is peppermint. Use it for stress and headaches actually – – love to take a deep breath. I serve lavender towels at my afternoon teas – and that fragrance relaxes everyone! Thanks.
I love my essential oils! Orange and lavender are favorites for sure! I find orange works well on my stress and also makes the house smell clean and fresh!
I love all of the oils you recommended. They have been so helpful in managing my anxiety. I even use lavender when I go visit my crazy alpaca. It seems to take him down a notch.
It’s great that this article explains how there aren’t many risks when using hypnosis and it can even help you get rid of fears and move on from past traumas. Last year, my brother’s house burned down and his two kids are still scared of being alone in the basement. I’ll have to talk to him about finding a hypnosis professional in his area so that they can start getting help to be more comfortable and confident with going anywhere in their new home.
I love this post! I am currently to adjust my diet to include healthier options. I also am switching jobs and with everything going on in our world, stress is inevitable but I love your tips and tricks! I will keep these in mind. Thank you!
Thank you for this post. I am always trying to decrease my stress levels, but I tend to be very tense throughout my day, mostly without realizing. You have given me a lot of things to think about and test out, so I’m really hoping to get to a natural calm state soon!
Hi Brianna, I hope you do find some kind of balance to help you during the day. Just taking a few deep breaths will help your body switch over to that relaxing part of your nervous system. Keep trying to find at least one thing that works for you and let me know what happens 🙂
Thank you for all the valuable information. I especially loved the parts about environment and food. I completely agree with everything you wrote. Staying positive and eating clean are definitely steps in the right direction. 🙂
Thanks for this info. I find food is a big one for me. If I get stressed, I don’t eat well – then when I don’t eat well, my anxiety skyrockets. These are great reminders to take care of myself
So much great information. I have been trying to tell my daughters how much their environment affects their stress. I can’t wait to show them this post.
WOW! I really needed this today! My anxiety has taken over the last couple of days! Thank you so very much for your wisdom! You are so right! Take care of yourself and yours, thank you again!
I appreciated this post very much, I find myself getting very lost in the dismal situation we find ourselves in here after my wife and I were pulled off work due to her increased risk of complications with the virus due to her heart. I need to remember to keep moving and exercise and to take a step back and see some of the positives that this experience is giving us.
Such a great motivation! I work well with To-Do lists, but I’ve beel letting them slip. Thank you for reminding me what works best for me and getting me back in the groove!
I agree at using this time to get things with either your personal life or business or even both. Setting yourself some goals by using a checklist is a great idea Jill! Thanks for sharing ?
I have been a checklist person for years. Try to make them out the night before – even moreso in this environment to keep things going. A multi-tasker at heart it has helped me keep track of things but also not to take myself too seriously – let some of it go. Thanks.
I can totally understand how satisfied it feels when your clients feel a relieve from pain. I am a former massage therapist myself. And sorry that you had to close your business for now. But you are doing a great job using your day to the fullest! And congratulations on the weight lost! Accomplishments must always be celebrated, no matter how small they are.
Stay safe and healthy!
Hopefully, it will turn around soon and we can benefit from the sunny weather! Either way, I still go out even if it’s just a few minutes. until I get cold!
Great list. Working from home with my husband also working from home and the kids doing school from home, I don’t really have a list for me! There are to do lists for the kids and I just squeeze what I can in between work and school stuff.
Great post and I love the graph you showed here. It all makes sense it is important to know what we enjoy doing what love to do and work on it. Thanks for sharing.
Great list. I especially like the tasks about doing something with vacation photos. I’ve been meaning to print mine forever and now seems like a good time.
Maybe I missed it…but are these daily checklists? When I read them, I feel overwhelmed. I do daily checklists but they are more of a to-do task list. I suppose I can add some things that would be more personal to make sure I get things done.
Hi Judean, these are just to-do lists based on what I have to and want to get done. NO way can I get any of this done in a day! Just sharing what works for me by having a guide to know what I want to get done 🙂
Like you, structure is vital here on the hill. We are extremely busy growing season has begun, catching up on home projects both inside & out, and blogging to boot. On my list today? Sewing a few masks. Thanks for sharing your list, makes me feel like I’m not alone 🙂
Very great idea to have physical checklists. I have many of the same on my list, but not having them physically there to check off makes them easy to miss. Thanks for this post!
Making lists are so important, I definitely need to do that soon. I keep saying I am going to make a list but get distracted with everything that needs to go on my list.
I’m an essential worker, so it’s work as usual for me. But I spent a few days home with a sick kid and getting motivated was hard because my routine is out of whack. Great tips.
I really need to make me a travel bucket list. I was going to take my kids to all the states but now I am down to 2 kids and a whole lot of states. I need to get on the ball. Life just sometimes passes so fast and then it’s too late. Better now than never though. 🙂
I’ve really been wanting to do the big loop through the Blue Ridge Mt range. Spend some time honky tonking in Nashville would be great. Hopefully soon!
I really want to head to the Grand Canyon! Certainly on my list. One of these days going to figure out what states I have been to and start visiting the rest!
I have been to 19 states. Besides my own, my faves are North Carolina (love the coast) and Florida(my BFF Mickey Mouse lives there). I did a similar post called my Travel Bucket List. It has 15 US destinations and 15 International ones. It is fun to research and dream about what we would want to do there. As for a Disney Cruise, we have been on one 9 times. It is one of our favorite vacations.
I’ve been to 19 states so far. All 50 are on my bucket list, really. But if I would have to pick my top 3 to visit next, they would be Tennessee, Arizona, and Oregon.
I have been to 22 states if I counted correctly. The USA has so many amazing places to visit. We have made it a part of our trips to go to as many National Parks as well.
Great photos and list! I have pretty similar destinations I’d like to hit up in the future. I’m hoping to take my husband to Disney World ASAP. We were supposed to be going next week so now we just have to wait and see. I’ve been a million times and used to work there so I can’t wait to share my original home with him.
Good idea to look back at pics of trips right now. Inspiration! Looks like you have been on plenty of good ones. As for states, I’ve got 32 – more to go!
Wonderful bucket list! These were some of my faves from your list. I think my state count is around 25, but a few more are a bit fuzzy.
Great Smokey Mountains- Tennessee
Acadia National Park- Maine
Napa Valley-California
Hawaii- beaches and volcanoes
Zion National Park, Utah
I have only been to Sedona and every time I reread the blog post I wrote about it I enjoy the thrill of seeing it again. I only had a cheap cell phone at the time. I hope to revisit with my new camera. My bucket list is long!
I have been to 41 states, and God-willing, I’ll be going to 5 more before the end of 2020. Let me know when you start planning your trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland has so much to offer!
I have traveled to very few states. And never out of the country. You are very lucky to have done all the traveling you have. I see Idaho is not marked. It’s a beautiful state! lol Thanks for sharing all of your travel pictures!
We have hit many of the places you outlined and they were on the bucket list. I still have so many places to go in the US. I would love to have hit all of the National Parks at least.
How fun and exciting to have traveled so much! I have a downpayment for a Disney cruise, to take my 7 kids, cousin & her husband (I wasn’t allowed to take all 7 kids alone according to cruise rules) for THIS October. It is from California to Mexico…we will see if this cruise is still available…
I would love to do more traveling especially to Disney World, we are planning to go there one day but first we are going to take our son to Disneyland since it is closer to us here in Washington. Plus when we go he will only be 3 or 4. Nevertheless I am super excited to go when the time comes. I have never really left the west coast so my list of states I have visited is very small.
Both my oldest son and my younger daughter have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. My daughter is 12. Anxiety runs on my husbands side of the family, so it’s not surprising. It’s not easy though. We have been trying a variety of techniques to keep our daughter calm, and stress free. I will let her read this article, because hearing it from someone else, is always more effective than when it comes from Mom… at least in the teen years! Lol
It is not easy as an adult so I am sure it’s even harder as a teen. At least you know and can get help now for them so they can grow up with helpful tools. I really love the calm and breethe apps and have found guided meditation extremely helpful to calm the brain down.
Don’t forget about more Latin American countries. We loved our trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Ecuador. They are much more inexpensive that some of the countries on your list and the people were lovely. We were blown away by the beaches in Nicaragua!
Interesting article, but I noticed France is not on your list and I’m sure you must have some reason. However, it’s a wonderful country and you will miss a lot by not traveling there as well.
I’ve been to most of the places on your wish list (over 60 countries). I would love to help you plan your travels to some of these places! Check out my website to connect! ?? ?
This is so interesting. I learned a bit about this as a Pscych major in college, but not quite this much. It’s amazing how intricate and interconnected our bodies are.
Thanks for the information. I’ve been working hard on my root chakra for years. I really need to start working on my sacral. This is where I am storing excess fat. I’m hiding from something.
This was a great read. I’ve heard very little on this so it was very interesting to learn about. The make-up of our bodies is incredible in such an amazing way!
Wow. The graphics illustrate your point perfectly. I had no idea chakras were related to hormones. But, I suppose it makes sense! I bet knowing this comes in handy during massage as well!
I loved this! Very detailed and well explained. I’ve been trying to do some work on my hormonal imbalance. I’ve worked on my chakras before but wasn’t very consistent. This was very helpful to know and now I know where I can start.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think that the questions are particularly helpful to stimulate reflection as well. Healing can be a life long journey but you have to stay the course.
This would be a necessary book for everyone. We ALL need healing in our lives, at different levels in different seasons. Fighting for emotional wellness needs to be a priority in order to lead healthy, productive lives.
Sounds like a great read. We all experience struggles. It’s how we deal with them and if we allow ourselves to heal from them. I could definitely focus more on the healing aspect myself.
Some of what she went through sounds similar to my childhood and I can identify with the questions you ask. I’ll have to check it out. Sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
This book seems extremely well-timed for what we all have ahead of us for the foreseeable future. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to reading more!
I don’t have a chronic illness, but I had hip replacement surgery two years ago at age 37 and will need to have my other hip replaced in the not too distant future, and all of these things are great for me too.
Great suggestions. I think my favorite ones of these are walking and yoga. I have a shoulder injury that prevents me from doing a lot of intense exercise. And even some yoga poses are challenging. But I still feel like I’m getting a good workout with these gentle exercises.
Nothing has helped me when I am in a flair-up more than yoga & practicing pranayama (breathing techniques) to get the energy moving within the body and create a restful mind. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Thanks I needed to read this! I have fibromyalgia and arthritis throughout my body. I know I need to get up and move, a lot! I do work at Walmart part time in the self check areas. I get to walk around and I average 5000+ steps in a 6 hour shift. I do need to do more stretching though. Good ideas!
Thanks, Alice. That’s great to get those steps in! When I have a flare-up, walking is pretty much all I attempt. Hope you are having more good days than bad 🙂
Excellent suggestions. I suffered from chronic pain and inflammation for 20 years. These types of activities helped. I switched to a plant based lifestyle and thankfully healed.
I love this because mindset is the catalyst of everything and we have the ability to change our mindet into a positive and healthy one! Thank you for this reminder!
People often tell me that I’m a positive person but I know that positivity builds on itself and that it can be coached. How great that the cardiac support group responded so well to what you had to offer.
While it is not always easy to maintain a positive frame of mind, it definitely makes it easier to cope with situations than a doom and gloom attitude.
That’s awesome that you have a passion for helping suffering people. We need more people like you in the world. It’s so important to realize that we do have control over our thoughts. I didn’t realize this until well into my 40’s, and I’m still in need of practice!
I try to work on my thoughts with the “stinking thinking” I occasionally fall into. It’s hard to be consistent, though, especially with a naturally melancholy personality. I know I feel better emotionally when I take care of myself physically and spiritually as well.
Wow. That’s awesome you have a workbook. It sounds great! And I’d love to be more glass-half-full, but like you, anxiety and past trauma has me living with a lot of hypervigilance. Which seems to lead to a half-empty mentality. But I’m working on it!
We need to exercise our mind. Train it to focus on the moment, releasing negative thought patterns. Although I can easily slip into old patterns, remaining positive on a daily basis is something I practice and strive for. Thank you for your insights into this!
I definitely needed this today, I was starting to let the stress of everything turn me into a negative nelly. It’s great to have a reminder once and a while to turn it back around.
This is awesome! I love the workbook idea! there are so many people who struggle with negativity ruling their lives. I know, there are some days when I can feel myself going down that road, and so many tips that you mentioned, are things that are easy enough to try.
You bring up some really good points, thanks for the tips. I like to call myself a realist rather than an optimist or pessimist, but I feel like as I get older that tends to tip towards negativity vs positivity. And I don’t always like that!!
What an important topic & such helpful tips. Everything starts with a positive mindset, so important to cultivate that. Thank you, for this helpful post.
Mindset and how you feel is an incredible link. I am always amazed to see the immediate change sin people and those around them based on mindset alone.
What an encouragement to others, to have your workbook. I’m an very positive person, annoyingly so for some people. However, I realize how difficult it is for some to make that shift. It is possible though and it makes such a difference in life.
Great list of things to focus on. I think that there is a balance to understanding true self-love and that once filled, you can openly continue to care for others. Its a good thing. Thanks for sharing.
Great post! It is super important to take care of others but before you can take care of your loved ones properly you need to take care of yourself first! So many people neglected themselves and you can definitely tell one someone is neglecting taking care of themselves.
I love these tips. I have to do physical activity/exercise or I feel like I just drag thru the day. And alone time is rare for me, so when I have it, I try to be productive. But I should focus more on self love during that alone time!
We have to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others. I love the idea of giving someone permission to nurture their own talent. So important, as well as forgiving others and ourselves.
As I get older, and have given so much of myself to others, I realize how crucial self-care is. I recently heard how self-care isn’t selfish because when we give to ourselves, we’re usually more apt to be able to give to others. So taking care of ourselves really does benefit everyone.
I love the evaluation of negative influences. There are so many things these days that influence us and we don’t even realize it. Just a different world with mini-computers in our hands.
I’ve been making my own sugar scrubs, and moisturizers with orange essential oils, (and diffusing it too) – and using them A LOT,and that is very soothing to me.
How often we forget to take care of ourselves….Self care, so important for or well being. Informative post, took notes to add some to my existing list. Thank you
This is a great list to help to learn how to take that moment to recharge your own battery, it isn’t being selfish it is simply being smart. Thanks for sharing! ??
What great tips! Self-care is so very important! I can’t wait to share these on my blog and brick and mortar mental health practice FB pages this week!
This is sooo important, especially for some of us getting….older or more mature (ha). I foam roll 1-2 times daily. Workout hard with 5 days a week and then walk several miles on the other. So good to do that but it makes one sore. This was great to see all the ways to manage the pain. Thanks!
This post is great for this time of year. So many people get stressed or sick over the holidays and I think it’s because they don’t take care of themselves-inside and out. These tips are also good for people preparing New Years resolutions.
This I need to do more of. I realized how much I hold my emotions in and then it’s a trickle down effect on myself psychically and then the rest of the family feels on edge around me. I have found eating better has helped my overall mood too.
I sometimes have to remind myself to practice self care. It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day things that need to be done and not take care of yourself.
This is a great list and I do pretty much all of them. I just finished cleaning my office and chuckled at your comment about stress when your “work environment” is messy. Its much easier for me to come into my office and it doesn’t completely take over my house! Thanks for the reminders and the affirmation.
There are many great suggestions here! I try my hardest to take care of myself, but i do admit, a lot of the time the kids needs take over, and the end of the week comes and I’m exhausted. I’m definitely a work in progress!
Definitely needed this. I recently became a stay at home mom and remembering to de-stress daily and take time for myself is something I didn’t know how badly I needed it
Great list! Self care and stress management are so important. We all get so caught up in everything we have to do that it can be hard to focus on what we need to do for ourselves.
These are some great self-care gifts, not only for myself but to give to others! I love the massage pillow! Thank you for sharing your great ideas!! Perfect timing!
So hard to pick a favorite out of this list, I’d take it all ? and maybe I should! We’re thinking of weekend light driving since we can’t do all of our normal holiday activities.
Great list! Would love some of these items in my stocking! And as for learning a new hobby… photography and blogging have been my current obsession for this crazy year!
Falling asleep at night has long been a challenge for me. I actually do most of the things on your list already. Now: if only I could totally eliminate the after-dinner snacking!
Great tips and advice! A good night sleep is so important and I never thought about writing down the things that I need to do the next day.. I’m going to try this! Thank you!
Sleep is so very important. When I can’t sleep, I am usually worried about something. Yoga or brain dumping in a journal are often helpful to set those things aside and allow me to sleep. This is great information. Thanks.
Such great tips! I never really have any issues with sleeping so I’m fortunate with that. But if I have a big day, the night before usually involves a lot of tossing and turning. I already do so many of your tips but I think the jotting everything down before bed would be super beneficial for me. Thanks for the article!
YES!! I have found that as I get older, stretching, especially at night prior to bed is essential. One, so I can relax and be comfortable and two because I’m getting to be stiff as a board! Nothing worse than a stiff back when trying to sleep. So disruptive.
I am blessed in that I rarely have trouble getting to sleep… getting enough sleep is a different story! When I work night shifts I have a room darkening blind that I use… works almost too well!
Great tips and had to chuckle about making the list of to-dos for the next day so your brain can turn off. I have done this for years and somehow my brain just doesn’t turn off. But I have done several of these things and it does help. Thanks for your post.
I move my workouts to earlier and now am trying to do nighttime stretches. I need to be better with turning off electronics but I do all my work and socialization on computer now 🙁
I started listening to music at bedtime and it made such a difference! Its from a medication app, and between that and some of your other tips I might have room to improve my nights even more!
These are great suggestions for getting a good night’s sleep. I usually fall asleep easily but sometimes I wake up two or three times a night. I avoid caffeine after 3pm.
I love setting smaller goals, I always go so grand and then usually end up disappointing myself! Least I dust myself off and continue onward, and love the idea of setting intentions!
Looks like a really great box! I’m finding it more and more important to really consider self-care with the pandemic continuing into its second year now. Making sure my kids are doing the same.
I remember getting so frustrated when I first got sick that I could barely do anything. I went from doing intense workouts being in the best shape of my life, to going back to the gym and doing literally like 3 or 4 exercises with 1 set each. And doing it very lightly i’d get lightheaded. It really got me down.
I definately agree with starting small with gentle exercises. Qigong is a very good one, which is pretty similar to tai-chi. It helps you heal and build energy in your body. I think I would have went mental if I wasn’t doing ‘something’ even if I did have to learn to go really gradual at it, more than I ever had before.
I wouldn’t have minded trying some swimming back then, but annoyingly one of my most frustrating symptoms was aggrivated just being immersed too much in the bath.
I like how you broke down the questions into days. It doesn’t feel overwhelming with the journaling but at the end you have 30 thoughts to gather insight from. Like you mentioned, there may be areas that overlap that concludes to a main focal point which can show direction too!
This is a great way to look at setting intentions – I myself set simple ones which focus on my mindset for the day – as I struggle with a negative outlook and I am working on shifting my perspective to one of positivity
What a great way to journal. Kind of sounds like my gratitude journal that has things to keep in mind for the day (pre printed). But setting your own small intentions daily will definitely be an easier way of accomplishing your larger goals.
The worst is when doctors say it’s in your head or that you just have to live with it. After leaving my career, I am astounding at how much pain relief I am getting. Finally motivated to get back to massage therapy and chiropractor for relief that will last!
These are great tips. I don’t have chronic back pain but every now and then my back feels like there is some pressure. So I rest and thankfully it all goes away. Thanks for sharing.
Such great suggestions. My back has been really tight lately and I find yoga and stretching/foam rolling really helps release that tension too. I also try to eat alkaline to lessen the inflammation in my body. Thanks for sharing this!
Love these suggestions. I have been thinking so much lately about visiting a naturopath. I love that they can get to the root and healing of the problem!
Getting a massage is my favourite thing when my back starts acting up. My disclaimer is that my pain is not severe or chronic. I would love to try acupuncture at some point as well.
Back pain as a massage therapist would be tough. All that bending over. I’m glad you’ve found relief. Something else I’ve recently seeing with reliving chronic pain is therapy, specifically biofeedback therapy. It’s pretty interesting. I’d kill for a visit with a massage therapist right now though. Many of ours have been closed. 🙁
Sorry, to hear you got your back hurt but glad you found the way to heal it. Thank you for sharing. I believe this will help to a lot of people who sufferer from back pain.
Chronic back pain is awful, especially at night. I found out that back pain can sometimes be caused by seemingly unrelated body parts. My physical therapist was able to figure out that my problem was actually in my FOOT, and by changing shoes (of all things) my back pain went away. PTs are the BEST!
So glad you found what works for you. The best is to prevent issues in the first place. Yoga is my therapy of choice, but am a strong proponent of alternative therapies as well.
Prevention is key, however, doesn’t really help when you experience traumas like falling or being in an accident. Yoga is helpful but should be practiced with caution especially with back pain. I can’t tell you how many people I see that actually get hurt from doing yoga incorrectly!
I’ve struggled with back pain myself for awhile now. It got worse during covid but due to my wife’s heart condition we didn’t make any unnecessary doctor visits, and I tried to power through it. Once we get the vaccine, I think I may take a page from your book and check with a chiropractor
Wonderful suggestions! And I’ll add one: change your diet. After a bad car accident, I had chronic back and leg pain for 20 years. I tried everything. After walking with a cane for a year and facing the prospect of a wheelchair, I changed to a plant based diet. And healed. The shingles virus had attacked my sciatic nerves. Eliminating certain animal based foods from my diet healed the chronic inflammation. No more cane. No wheelchair. No pain.
All great tips! You never know when back pain will strike – I still remember pulling a back muscle picking up a sock. A sock! Never again – I leave them all on the floor now!
Until I read this post, I didn’t realize just how many self care apps I actually have on both my phone and iPad! Everything from health to nutrition to fitness to gratitude.
Stress definitely has a hug impact on health. And with everything going on in the world, I have noticed my own health being affected by increase stress. I asm prone to migraines, and have seen a sharp increase in the amount that I get, since the pandemic started.
I think it is important to remember to look at all aspects of our life and make sure it is all in balance. If one is off it can affect all the others. Great tips!
What a great post! So many times we work in just one area and don’t even consider the other areas because we don’t think they are as important. But they are all important!
What a wonderful time we live in, where there is an app for just about anything you need. Thank you for the review on an app that can help a lot of people.
This looks like an excellent app for pain management! I suffered with chronic pain for more than 20 years. Changing to a plant based diet eliminated the pain. I certainly would have tried this app had it been available!
This is really a nice article. Massager chairs are beneficial for pain syndromes, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, and many more. Looking forward to see more informative articles like this.
Thanks for this nice article.
I’ve come across this, I think through a blogging FB page, but I’ve never tried the app myself. I agree with the other comment on how great it is to live in this day and age where tech allows such useful things right at our fingertips. I think I especially like the mindfulness and breathing part, it’s like this combines a few elements that other apps do but all in one. Fantastic review!
I understand about putting weight on recently too. It wasn’t due to covid either. I kept letting myself go for a few years after losing my only child to murder, and I weighed the most I’ve ever weighed, just like you. I’m so glad that you have found so many things to take care of yourself. Congratulations on losing a lot of weight. I just started 4 months ago, but I am having great success. I love how you want to help others with self-care.
How exciting! Congratulations on persevering through this. My metabolism is completely trashed from dieting in my youth, and I can’t seem to reduce my weight by eating little.
I requested to join your FB group – hope I can be part of your test group!
You should be very proud of yourself! As you said, changing your habits and mindset can be very difficult. We all know what we should be doing but many of us never actually put it into practice to get there!
Same! This last year everything and everyone came first and my health and weight did not fair well. Currently trying to find a good balance. Took it easy with my website for awhile and am halting adding on any clients or jobs until November at least so I can focus on me
I love how honest and vulnerable your post is. That’s what make it so real. I’m a Mom and Stepmom too and yes being a stepmom can be really hard even when it’s good.
I kind of felt in the same path as you during Covid. I’ve been working my way up in the past couple weeks, training 6 time a week and eating better. Thank you for your honesty, it make me feel less alone.
Welcome back! Congrats on your journey so far! The older I get, the more I realize that what used to work for weight loss, just doesn’t anymore. I am slowly starting to head towards making some changes… baby steps!
You are doing so well! I understand. I made a huge lifestyle change five years ago and it’s made such a difference in my life. I embraced a plant based lifestyle and it changed my health completely.
Good for you! Excellent to re-focus and re-charge! Good luck to you! The hardest part of a life style change is maintaining this new course…falling back into old routines is the danger…it happens! Be strong in your new convictions!
I love your before and after pics and your tips. I’ve been doing weight watchers for a few years and that’s helped me a lot (and it’s actually a pretty fun program.)
Such important information to share to help others cope. Having just a few of these symptoms would be life altering, especially if not armed with this type of info and support!
So glad you are able to work on you! Sometimes life gets so busy that we don’t put our wellbeing first. It’s so important to take care of yourself. This is such a wonderful and positive post!
Jill this is amazing! I love that you mention sometimes the work won’t pay off until you get in the right mindset. Our mind is so powerful! Congrats on the progress!
Jill these look awesome! I hadn’t heard of Crate Joy before but that looks fun. And I always love when someone gifts me a massage. It doesn’t happen often enough lol!
I love working out at home as well. Sometimes my teenage sons will even join me, and I gain a least an hour just by driving back and forth from the gym.
I love working out at home. No stress in trying to keep up. I can exercise at my own pace doing workouts I love. I am currently using a fitness app that meets all of my needs.
Virtual fitness is such a good option these days with COVID still being around. I usually gravitate toward virtual yoga classes, but think I’ll try one of your strength training options above. Thanks!
That’s awesome that you have an elliptical! When it’s snowy, I put on virtual walking on YouTube and just walk around my living room. You can go anywhere on earth but I usually choose the beach videos!
I never thought of this. Thanks for the idea. I did do virtual physical therapy after my knee surgery a couple of times before my insurance ran out. I was worried about doing it but it worked out great.
What great tips! I keep trying to find a local yoga class that fits around my work and family schedule and it has been challenging. Virtual is definitely something I need to look into! Thanks for the info!
It’s so nice to be able to throw my hair up in a messy ponytail and get to it, without worrying about making myself look presentable. I end up saving so much time, not just in getting ready for the gym, but also in driving to and from.
As a Certified Hypnotist, I agree with adding hypnosis to your self-care plan. Every client I work with learns self-hypnosis at the end of their first session and I give them homework to do self-hypnosis at least once a day.
Love this post! As a personal trainer, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of virtual fitness training. It’s so convenient and flexible, and it allows clients to work out from the comfort of their own homes. Plus, it’s a great way to stay motivated and accountable. Definitely sharing this with my clients!
Jean Demasi
This post is so true and the best advice you could give to anyone. Amen??????
master_admin_
Thanks! I learn from the best xo
Jean
I love this post and you are so right. God Bless You
Jean
I am thankful for God and my beautiful family.?
Gina
Do you do couple massages?
master_admin_
Hi Gina,
I can’t accommodate 2 people at once as there is only 1 table but I can certainly book 2 appointments back to back with enough notice. Thanks!
Gina Dean
Can I book a 1 hour massage and do a half hour and my friend can do the other half?
Noelle Collins
Yes, I get anxiety when traveling too, but I do love visiting hte the beach. I feel like walking on the sand is very grounding for me, and I always feel better if I’ve been walking in the ocean. I hear it has magnesium and electrolytes in it, so I don’t know if that’s why, or if it’s just because I’m able to relax. Yes, eating out is usually stressful. I try to always have something with me. We also try to rent condos with at least a fridge and microwave, so I can have some safe food that I can heat up available in case restaurants don’t have save food.
master_admin_
Hi Noelle! I love the beach too and it is so calming for me. Yes having a fridge while away is so helpful so I don’t eat too badly! It is so nice to get away for a change a pace.
Joanne
Great tips for those that encounter anxiety while traveling!
master_admin_
Thank you! Stuff I need to remember every day as well 🙂
Jen
I do experience anxiety when I travel – mostly related to what If a medical emergency arises while we are away – esp when traveling out of the country. Great tips.
master_admin_
Thank you! I know how that feels because I have experienced sickness on vacation many times. Hope it helps!
Holly Bird
Great tips! I do not really struggle with anxiety since I lowered my expectations ad learned to be in the moment it helped me to learn to enjoy travel more!
master_admin_
Thank you! I am happy that you have learned to enjoy the moments! Such a powerful lesson.
Brianna
This is a great post because not a lot of people take into consideration that traveling can be very stressful. Thank you for the information.
master_admin_
Thank you! Cheers to those who don’t have to deal with anxiety 🙂
Lisa Manderino
I hope you get to go to Italy one day! It amazing but I can see how it would invite anxiety. It would probably be best to go with a tour group.
master_admin_
Yes we hope to go in the next few years! I can’t wait 🙂
Michelle
My husband definitely has anxiety about trips! One thing I try to do to help him is to not really have an “itinerary” but more or less like one goal per day to keep our plans flexible and low key. Then, we usually fall into our own rhythm and discover new things as well.
master_admin_
That’s a great idea. Sometimes it’s hard to not have a plan but I can see why being flexible helps too!
Eileen
Great tips! If I could leave my kids at home I think I’d be anxiety free, LOL.
master_admin_
That’s so true…hahaha! We did go without the kids and I still got anxious!
Suzan
Traveling is stressful for all and exasperated to a higher level I’m sure for those with anxiety issues. Thank you for sharing your tips for those in need!
master_admin_
You are welcome! It’s good to have little reminders along the way 🙂
Lee Anne
I’ve got the anxiety bug as well. Thank you for sharing these tips to help combat it.
master_admin_
Your welcome! We all need to stick together and help each other out 🙂
Alexandra
Great tips for regular travelers! Love the “lower your expectations” tip hahaha! I guess people who only get vacations once or twice per year are indeed anticipating it so much that a little set back can totally ruin it! Traveling with your kids can be even more stressful! so your tips on travel and how to deal with anxiety are very handy. thank you
master_admin_
Thanks! Yes, there is so much pressure to have a great time when you don’t get away a lot. I am hoping to change that soon! I think everyone should get away every few months to not lose their minds.. especially when you have kids 🙂
Michelle
Thank you for the tips. I have bad anxiety also, and I don’t travel as much as I would like. But I need to make sure that I know all the details of the trip from the step of leaving the house to walking in the front door. And I make sure to not over plan the day. Sometimes I need to get back to a quiet place where I can be by myself and regroup. If I am around people for too long I get so drained and fidgety.
master_admin_
I know exactly how you feel! I need my space too after being around people for too long. I hope you can find the courage to do more traveling because it can be really relaxing and a good break from everyday life. You can make great memories to reflect on when you feel anxious 🙂
Michelle
One thing was anxiety never stopped me from traveling. Now it is health issues that I am working really hard to combat. I just made sure I did everything I needed to do beforehand to fight the anxiety. If I let that control me, then I would never get anything done, lol.
master_admin_
Isn’t that the truth! It takes a lot of effort to not let it take over 🙂
Rachel
Oohh…I never thought about staying within normal eating habits….interesting. This was really informative. ?
master_admin_
Thanks! It does help if you have stomach issues. Don’t get me wrong… I do indulge as well because life is too short 🙂
Junell DuBois
Great tips! I usually have anxiety leading up to the trip but then calm down once we are there.
master_admin_
Thank you! I do start to unwind once I am settled in 🙂
Tiffany
These are all great tips – especially lowering expectations and not changing up your diet too much! That is usually my downfall!
master_admin_
Thanks! It is so hard to stick to healthy eating to begin with… then when I am away I want to cheat way too much!
Ramae Hamrin
I just love Myrtle Beach. Fortunately the last time I went there I was feeling really good! But I’ve had those vacations where I really wasn’t feeling well, like a trip to Nashville and Estes Park, CO. It was so hard to not feel well in such cool places. I have multiple myeloma, so I never know how I’m going to feel on any day. IBS comes with the daily chemo, and the fatigue can be overpowering. I’m heading to Texas at the end of this week to visit my girls. I’m so hoping to feel well. Regardless, I’ll enjoy the beautiful weather and company of my girls. I understand anxiety and traveling so much!
master_admin_
Hope you have a wonderful time and feel good for your trip!
Cynthia
These are great tips for people who experience anxiety while traveling. Thanks for sharing.
master_admin_
Thanks! Hope they are helpful 🙂
Tiffany
The food when we travel can be rough if I don’t stay somewhat close to what I’m used to. I’ve learned over the years to be smart….usually. 😉
master_admin_
I know how you feel! I love eating on vacation but have to reign it in before it get outs of control! 🙂
Maria
I hope you go to Italy one, let someone help you plan it, that will reduce the stress. Choose one city (I suggest Florence), and do little day trips if you want to explore. Do some guided tours, and don’t put pressure on yourself to see it all, just enjoy all that is available in this amazing city!
master_admin_
Thanks! I definitely will get some help when planning that trip 🙂
Ellen Mika Zelasko
Great advice here. Tried to choose which I likes liked best, but I like them all. All good, sound advice. The process of shedding anxiety on a vacation is complicated, but it can be done. And you give great tips for getting there. Great post!
master_admin_
Thank you! It is complicated but it always helps to remember those anxious feelings will pass 🙂
jen
Good information for those that get travel anxiety
master_admin_
Thanks so much 🙂
Kristen Usrey
I love this! You’ve got a lot of really great tips here! Having loved ones with me always helped calm my anxiety down.
master_admin_
Thanks! I agree having someone around to help take your mind off those anxious thoughts helps a lot 🙂
Karen
I have battled with anxiety when I travel and it mainly has to do with eating different foods and not feeling well because of it. I now plan ahead more and have had better success with it. I bring my normal breakfast and stay away from foods and drinks that I don’t normal consume at home.
master_admin_
I know how feels! Yes being prepared is definitely at the top of my list when I travel 🙂
Tara
These are really great tips regardless of whether or not you suffer from travel anxiety. I’ve learned over the years of traveling with my 3 young boys to significantly lower my expectations for daily adventures and try to eat/drink what I do at home. Makes for a much smoother vacation for all!
master_admin_
Yes it does especially when traveling with kids!
Jeannette Miller Mickenham
Reading your article was like you were with me on my last trip. I like what you said about “Too much screen time increases anxiety”. I had not thought of that. I was using it as a distraction last time but it wasn’t working. I ended up closing my eyes for awhile which eventually worked. Thanks for post!
master_admin_
Quiet time always helps me recover faster from anxiety 🙂
Lisa
Great tips and suggestions! I’ve learned to overcome my anxiety by just going with the flow! I tell myself, “everything happens for a reason.”
master_admin_
So true! I believe that too and it is always better to go with the flow 🙂
Melina Whitehead
Communicating how you feel is important! Great tips!
master_admin_
Thanks! I always feel better after letting it all out and expressing how I feel 🙂
Melanie
Anxiety has ruined a few vacations of ours. Ruined night be a little harsh, but before we knew what we were dealing with it felt so overwhelming. Sticking to a regular diet and schedule are big!
master_admin_
I totally know how that feels! Yes, it is best to stay close to what you normally eat and having some kind of plan 🙂
judean
I used to get anxiety when I did anything alone…including traveling. However, one time I took a leap of faith for some strange reason and extended a work trip to sight-see. Terrified but it all worked out and now my anxiety has shifted to working too much, too long….
master_admin_
Good for you extending your trip! I know work can take over but remember life is short and you have to try to enjoy the days while you can 🙂
Tricia Snow
These are awesome tips for the anxious traveler! Thank you!
master_admin_
Happy you enjoyed them 🙂
Susan
I get anxious when traveling as well. It’s hard to overcome but your tips are good sound advice. The lowering your expectations is really hard but very accurate.
master_admin_
Yes, it is hard but can be done with a lot of practice! 🙂
Haley Kelley
I have had issues with travel anxiety before and it is definitely something that can be very challenging. I only recently was able to travel without feeling the constant freak out.
master_admin_
I’m glad you were able to overcome it! Enjoy your trips 🙂
Christina Furnival
Great list for those with traveling anxiety. I liked the size lf the list as well so they dont feel like there’s a million things to master.
master_admin_
Thank you!
Catherine McGuinness
I am a huge believer in mind over matter. I have found that I can think myself into a state as well as think myself out of one.
master_admin_
I agree mind over matter is very helpful when dealing with anxiety and with pain.
Cindy
I don’t have anxiety about traveling however your tips are great for all travelers. I too adhere to my normal healthy diet, which is plant based, when I travel. It’s essential so that my energy and wellbeing are maintained.
master_admin_
Thanks! I try my best to stick to my diet too. I just feel better that way!
Michelle
Great advice. I haven’t had to take care of anybody, but I know people who do. And the biggest thing I always worried about for them is that they don’t take better care of themselves. Which is true, they need to do that for themselves. Thank you for the read.
master_admin_
Thanks. I never had to before either so I was happy to share my thoughts on how I got through it 🙂
Caitlin Gibson
This is so true. My husband’s mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and we watched her deteriorate and pass away pretty quicky. My father in law was her primary caregiver during that time and resisted help until the last few months of her life. We found simply getting him out of the house seemed to help him the best, although often times we felt we were forcing him.
Great post!
master_admin_
Thanks. I am so sorry to hear that about your mother in law. It’s so tough to know how to help them and also challenging how to help the caregiver as well 🙂
Adrienne
I am sorry for you loss, the pain never does go away. It is hard as a caregiver because you remember it all, not just the good times. Hang in there and know you gave him so much.
master_admin_
Thank you so much. You definitely do remember the good and bad but I try to focus on the good memories 🙂
Sue
What a great post! My dad lost his battle with cancer a year ago in August and my mom was his round the clock care giver. It was extremely hard on her and the fact that just one day it is all over is so overwhelming. I’m sorry for your loss ♥️
master_admin_
Thanks. I’m so sorry about the loss of your Dad. I hope your Mom finally finds some time for herself in all the grieving 🙂
Heather
Thank you so much for being honest and open about your experience. This is so hard. I think we tend to try to cover up our own pain in these moments because of all those we are caring for are suffering with. But you’d experience is also so valid!
master_admin_
Yes, it was so hard on everyone and we definitely did cover up our pain to a certain extent. Guess that’s why it felt really good to be able to write about it 🙂
Ellen Mika Zelasko
I am helping to care for my mother who has dementia. Half the time I take care of myself, but mostly, I just keep going on empty. This post has helped me more than you know.
master_admin_
I am sorry to hear you and your Mom are going through this. It’s hard to find the time for self-care when you are a caregiver. If you don’t though eventually it will catch up to you and affect your own health. Try little treats for yourself at least to help get you through. I know how you feel 🙂
Tracy
This is very helpful. We are currently helping with in home hospice care for my MIL and it is easy to overlook the needs of caregivers.
master_admin_
I am sorry for what your family is going through. We found the people at hospice to be so wonderful and helpful in that transition. So happy the post is helpful to you. 🙂
Lisa
Such beautiful and inspiring advice. Thank you for sharing.
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
judean
Thank you for writing this. I feel like there will be a time when I will need this information. “Don’t assume anything” will something I will need to be cognizant of.
master_admin_
I think sooner or later most people will have to deal with this, unfortunately. I hope you never will 🙂
Holly Bird
I totally agree with this! Unplugging and being present has become a lost experience for some! I think getting a massage and spending time meditating helps you connect with your body and your mind! Mindfulness is so important! Thank you for the great tips!!
master_admin_
Thanks Holly! I am with you about the massages!!
Brianna
This is so important to do. We only have the present, we might as well enjoy it.
master_admin_
So true Brianna.. life is too short not to 🙂
Lee Anne
A digital curfew is a great idea! Thanks for sharing your tips!
master_admin_
Thank you! I find it to be great for the kids as well.. but sometimes hard to pry them off the electronics!
Amy Irvin
Thanks. I stay off social media on the weekends. I need to clean out my email inbox.
Tricia Snow
I choose to make a conscious effort to do this! Thanks for the tips!
master_admin_
That’s great! I know it’s hard to do so keep it up 🙂
Michelle
Digital detox is totally needed with me pretty regularly! It causes me to be a lot more distracted, I feel. Great tips – I am going to experiment with 30 minutes of no screen time before bed and see how that goes. 🙂
master_admin_
Awesome Michelle! Let me know how it works for you 🙂
Natalie
Great advice and tips my family and I need to apply!
master_admin_
Thanks! Good luck 🙂
Karen
We are so busy as a society and I think we feel like we are going to miss out on something if we don’t have our phones in our hands. I am guilty more than I should be. My husband and I have no tech nights and we also don’t have our phones out on our date nights. It’s awesome!
master_admin_
That’s a great idea, Karen! I’m going to try that on our next date night 🙂
Lisa Manderino
Great Advice! I need to clean my email out it is out of control!
master_admin_
Thanks Lisa! It happens so fast, doesn’t it!
Jordan
I need to be better about this. It’s hard when I do things I enjoy on my devices these days, like reading. But this is a good reminder to limit these things at least a bit.
master_admin_
So true. I love reading on my Kindle but need to not do it too close to bedtime!
Karla Petersen
I totally agree with this. I use long hot baths every dayo or two…relaxing and no electronics in the water!
master_admin_
Hot baths are awesome especially this time of year!
Suzan
Totally agree…we all fall prey to screen overload. My yoga & meditation practice keep me on point as well.
master_admin_
That is great Suzan! Having a routine of downtime helps us to stay on track 🙂
Ellen Mika Zelasko
This is a wonderful idea. I’m going to institute a curfew for myself!
master_admin_
Thanks. Good for you.. let me know how you feel after doing it for a while 🙂
Kendra
Great post. I need to focus on this more for sure!
master_admin_
Thanks!
Tracy
These are all great steps! I like that you called it a digital detoz because that is what it becomes for so many of us!
master_admin_
Thank you!
judean
The steps to disconnect are so important
yet very hard to do. If I spend time ‘cleaning’ out my email, generally by organizing and unsubscribing from what I think is ‘SPAM’, it takes a long time and I also find myself working on things that I have left for too long.
master_admin_
I also get distracted when I clean out my e-mail! I try to do it once per week so it doesn’t get too overwhelming. I also delete stuff every day that looks like junk mail.
Cindy
Excellent suggestions! And I REALLY need to do something about my emails…
master_admin_
Thanks!
Lisa
I like the idea of only checking the phone a couple of times per day… great idea
master_admin_
Thanks! It takes practice but it’s possible 🙂
Tara
I completely agree with taking breaks from technology! It can be so important to set aside times to be on the phone and not.
master_admin_
We all just need a break sometimes!
Liza Brackbill
So important to remember that in the end YOU are the only one who can truly heal yourself completely. If you’re not on board, the help of others won’t even matter. Thanks for sharing:)
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
Maria Gustafsson
I’ve been trying to give myself a digital curfew as well. Not being online for at least an hour before bed, helps me sleep better.
master_admin_
I sleep better too when I don’t watch TV or look at my phone before bed. Helps to read a book in bed because that always makes me sleepy 🙂
Lora
These are all great tips! Our health is more reliant of our mental well-being.
master_admin_
So true if we can just control our emotional health we can be so much better off 🙂
Holly Bird
Awesome and inspiring advice! We all forget to take care of ourselves when it counts the most..when there is a lot of stress! Thank you for the great reminder!
master_admin_
Thanks! We all forget to take care of ourselves at times so that’s why there is a need for coaches like us to remind them 🙂
Kristen Usrey
I have had to learn to let go of anger and I have to agree that it affects your immune system.
master_admin_
That is not an easy thing to do at all but it helps to let go of all of that baggage 🙂
Haley Kelley
These points you have made are so important to share because healing really is a long, exhausting process.
master_admin_
Yes, healing is definitely a process and can be so tiring at times. 🙂
Tiffany
Many great tips – always important to focus on yourself first.
master_admin_
Thanks! Self-care is so important 🙂
Brianna
I love how you portray the connection of mind, body, and spirit in this post. Thank you for this.
master_admin_
Thanks! It’s all connected and have an impact on each other 🙂
Caitlin Gibson
Growing up you are always taught how its important to surrender yourself to the people that are taking care of you: doctors, nurses etc. How great would it be if we taught children they could take ownership in their own healing?! Awesome post!
master_admin_
Yes, this is a great lesson for kids too!
Jen
Awesome post. Change your attitude or change your situation… love it
master_admin_
Thanks!
Tricia Snow
These are great tips for healing. I agree that the mind plays a big part.
master_admin_
Thanks so much 🙂 Our mind can control so much more than we think!
Karen
I am thankful for my nurse practitioner who really listens to me. We come up with solutions together. Don’t ever feel like I have to do anything because she says so.
master_admin_
That’s great Karen! I don’t go to any doctors anymore who don’t listen to me or won’t be mindful of my feedback.
Lisa Manderino
Great advice, I agree that it takes a little of both.
master_admin_
Thanks Lisa!
Suzan
Alternative Mama all the way here. Great tips and suggestions you offer!
master_admin_
Thank you!
Eva
As a former military family, having lots of plants was impractical. Now that he’s retired from active duty and we aren’t moving all the time, I told my husband two days ago we need to get some plants for this house. They’re so good for us and I miss having them around. Love the ideas listed in here and employ nearly all of them in my life regularly.
Tiffany
Such good reminders to take care of ourselves as a whole person, not just when illness strikes.
Lisa
Excellent tips! Our health is so important.
Sonia Munro-Peebles
This is great advice. I was always a person who just relied on Western medicine. However, after having my second daughter I was refered to a Naturopath who put me on a whole bunch of vitamins to replenish what was lost from pregnancy and childbirth. What an epiphany it was…I instantly felt amazing. I’m definitely open to alternative medicine now
master_admin_
That is great that you found a good one. I love Naturopaths!
Tracy
So important to remember that it is ok to focus on you, especially when you are healing. Thanks!
master_admin_
Always need to remind ourselves 🙂
Lisa
Great post! I agree you have to decide to be happy!
master_admin_
Thanks Lisa!
judean
I have to work on not holding in anger – that is something I tend to do, especially depending on the circumstances.
master_admin_
It is so hard to let go of anger. Takes a lot of practice 🙂
Cindy
These are great suggestions! I didn’t get healthy until I took responsibility for my own health and wellbeing and began to think outside the box!
master_admin_
Good for you Cindy! We all need to think outside the box when it comes to our healthcare 🙂
Karla Petersen
yep, yep, yep! I focus on positive attitudes… my kids of trauma tread an uphill path on this and will often question ‘faking happy.’ But we keep working on gratitude and that seems to boost positive. It’s a journey!
master_admin_
Yes, it is definitely a journey and having a gratitude practice works for me 🙂
Pauline
These are great tips. I believe strongly that there is a time and place for modern medicine, but natural remedies are what I turn to first.
master_admin_
I agree with you Pauline! We still need both for sure 🙂
Charlene
What great suggestions! It’s so important to take care of yourself. Maybe I’ll show this list to my hubby…
master_admin_
Good idea… they always need a little extra help!
Cynthia
Thanks for the gift guide. You included a lot of great suggestions.
master_admin_
Thank you!
Brianna
I love these ideas! I did a similar post and we both chose that neck wrap! It is a must have for self care. Your additional ideas were great! Thank you for sharing.
master_admin_
I saw that! Thanks…Great minds think alike 🙂
Malia
My husband bought me a sound machine for christmas YEARS ago and I still use it every night! I even bring it with us in the campervan on road trips! Such a great gift idea!
master_admin_
Awesome! It is a great tool to have to help with sleep 🙂
Suzan
What a great list Jill! I love the look (and could really use it right now) of the weighted shoulder pad!
master_admin_
Thanks Suzan 🙂
Lora Rovegna
I feel like this gift guide was written with me in mind. My tension filled muscles need the first 11 things on the list.
master_admin_
Haha Lora.. we all need them at some point right 🙂
Angela
Thanks for the gift guide, the 6 month wellmess lan needs to go on my list to Santa
master_admin_
Thanks Angela! 🙂
Michelle
I am all about the Epsom salts! I love the idea of the happy light though. That would be a great gift. Thanks for the ideas.
master_admin_
Happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Holly Bird
Great gift guide! So many awesome ideas for gift giving with a wellness theme!
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
Candice
These are all great ideas. I take my sound machine everywhere.
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
Caitlin Westwood
Such good ideas Jill! People always forget about taking care of themselves so giving gifts that give them a good reminder is such a good idea!
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
jody
You are right about the stress it has already begun. Relaxing this time of year is the key so you do not go crazy. That is if you stop to take the time to do just that and relax.
master_admin_
So true we need to remind ourselves to relax this time of year 🙂
Eva
Great suggestions in here, Jill! We sleep with fans on for noise but I wonder if I’d like a sound machine more. I don’t actually need three fans worth of air every night. LOL
Happy Thanksgiving!
master_admin_
It has many different sounds to choose from so you don’t get bored! Happy Thanksgiving Eva 🙂
Jen
What a great gift guide! I want that neck wrap!
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
Lisa Manderino
I love all these great ideas!
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
jen
Great list. I feel relaxed already
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
Heather
The foam roller is awesome. I have a love-hate relationship with it. LOL
master_admin_
Haha I totally understand that!
Robin
Great gift ideas! Thanks for sharing 🙂
master_admin_
Thank you 🙂
Lisa
Great list!! I love my foam roller …great idea for a gift!
master_admin_
Thanks! My foam roller is a must have in our house!
Katherine Wolfe
Love this list! I had no idea there as an 8 inch Echo Show! But, thanks to you, now I do!
master_admin_
We keep ours in the kitchen and I use it for music and recipes while I am cooking 🙂
Noelle Collins
Great ideas! I may have to put that sound machine on my Christmas List. I love weighted blankets and Epsom baths too. Those are such great ways to destress!
master_admin_
Sounds always help me go to sleep faster!!
Christina Furnival
Great list of self-care items! I love the idea of the Happy Light to fight SAD!
master_admin_
Thanks Christina!
Tracy
What a great list! Thanks for sharing.
master_admin_
Thanks Tracy!
Haley Kelley
These are great ideas! I actually got my sister a massage chair insert so she can relax on her couch at home.
master_admin_
Thanks Haley!
Cindy
Wonderful suggestions! Id love to try a foam roller.
master_admin_
Thanks Cindy!
Darlene
Great suggestions and I love how you have mindfulness included in this list 🙂
Charlene
I am so grateful I don’t have this problem, but I know so many people who do. These are some good suggestions. I’ll have to send this link to my mom. Maybe she hasn’t tried some of them?
Candy K
I have a good friend with chronic pain. I’ll definitely pass along these ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Holly Bird
Thank you so much for your tips and advice! t can be hard when you don’t feel good to think about things that can help!
Chrissy Gates
This is such an important post! I exercise exercise quite a bit, and I don’t stretch or recover as often as I should. I plan to practice some of the strategies on this post. Thanks for sharing!
Ramae Hamrin
I am so interested in learning how meditation can help with pain. I’m fascinated by people who can control pain with their minds. I have heard that people can acknowledge the pain but separate themselves from it. Working on that one …
jody
I love the chiroprator it always helps me with my pain.All are great ideas for pain relief.
Michelle
Meditation and guided imagery as gotten me through a lot of pain. I also love the Chinese fire cupping. I have circulation issues and my massage therapist thought we should try that, and wow talk about affective. I was able to walk straight for the first time in months after a couple of treatments. As well as not have freezing feet and fingers anymore!
Katie
I discovered the benefits of massage therapy years ago and wish I still had the time and money to do that weekly!
Suzan
Great suggestions! I utilize natural pain relief options as well prior to any over the counter options. Including turmeric, dandelion salves etc.
Brianna
I’ll definitely have to share this with my mother. She suffers from chronic back pain. Thank you for this post.
Michele
What a great guide! We love our sound machine and weighted blanket!
Heather
Yes, I have a massage on my legs every month. I also see a chiropractor once a week or so. I am a runner and I need to keep my injuries at bay. I also strength train, stretch and foam roll. It is the only way I can keep running the miles.
Kristen Allred
I do most of these also for back and neck pain. I also have a CBD/menthol lotion that helps.
KENDRA
Great info! Thanks for the picture of what to do with the foam roller. I have one, but have no clue what I should be doing with it. haha
Lisa Manderino
Love all these ideas, I prefer them to other ways
Christina Furnival
Movement and stretching has always been so important for me! I started seeing a chiro and an acupuncturist for the first time last year and that has been helpful too!
Noelle Collins
Thanks for the video on how to use the foam roller. I had purchased one, but wasn’t really sure how to use it! I will try to take time to relax more as well. That is a great tip. I have a hard time relaxing, but I know I need to do it.
Jenna
Really great gift ideas! My favorite is the square diffuser!
Beth
We greatly underestimate the impact of stress on our bodies. Thanks for sharing and your work.
Tricia Snow
I use chiro, stretching and essential oils. Great tips!
Tricia Snow
Great list! I love the beach chairs!
Cindy
Great tips! I lived with chronic pain for 22 years. Massage was the only thing that helped a little bit. Changing my diet relieved the pain. Amazingly no one in the medical community ever suggested that diet might provide relief.
I want to try a foam roller! I’ve never used one before.
Brianna
Thank you for this post. The holidays can be so stressful
master_admin_
Every bit helps to reduce stress, especially during the next 2 weeks!
T.M.
I miss going to a chiropractor. I’m not even sure why I’m not seeing one right now.
master_admin_
I found it to be one of my most effective tools in pain relief!
jen
my favorite is to get in the holiday spirit. 🙂 So many ways to do that.
master_admin_
I love it too! My family makes fun of me but I don’t care. Any day I can feel like a kid is fine with me!
Heather
Great tips! I would add get some form of exercise. It helps declutter the mind and reduce stress.
master_admin_
Thanks Heather! Exercise always helps me in so many ways 🙂
Lora
Those are all are important tips. Too fully enjoy the holidays, one has to take care of themself and not overdue it.
master_admin_
Thanks! It is so easy to overdo it and then feel horrible after!
Lisa
Great tips! I have been good until this weekend with eating real food, all our neighbors started to deliver goodies and I have crashed!
master_admin_
Thanks, Lisa! I know it’s hard when people start giving you hard to resist treats. Enjoy!
Charlene
It can be hard to remember to eat healthy this time of year, but eating healthy can make such a difference in our moods! Great tips.
master_admin_
Thanks! I know my moods are always better when I eat healthier 🙂
Jen
Great list! I love that you added East real food! Temptations are all around ya this time of year!
master_admin_
Thanks! They are lurking everywhere!
Magan
I appreciate all of your suggestions. Looking forward to implementing some of these in the next several days!
master_admin_
Hope it goes well for you Magan 🙂
Holly
Great advice and tips to help everyone that struggles this time of the year!!
master_admin_
Thanks Holly!
Tricia Snow
Great tips for those who have stressful holidays!
master_admin_
Thanks 🙂
Beatriz
I love this list to reduce stress and keep sanity!
master_admin_
Thanks.. hope it helps!
Angela
Oh I needed this list as a reminder — REAL FOOD is a must for sure
master_admin_
I feel so much better when I eat that way!
Noelle Collins
I need to get more sleep, but I’m usually watching Holiday movies once I put the kids to bed. lol . Thank you for these tips.
Malia
Eating real, whole food is so important this time of year! Home cooked meals when not out at a function are great at counterbalancing all of the treats and snacks.Great list!
Robin
Awesome suggestions! Massage therapy is life changing!
Kyndall Bennett
I need to get better at going to bed earlier! I tend to tell myself, “just finish this one final task.” Next thing I know, two hours have passed!
Lisa
Shopping online is the key to my sanity during this season.
Christina Furnival
All great tips to manage our stress and anxiety during the holidays!
Katherine Wolfe
I’d go crazy without online shopping!
Maria Gustafsson
If you let the stress win, the joy is lost. Great suggestions for those that have too much on their Christmas plate.
Suzan
For us it meant taking a big step back and simplifying our approach to the Holidays. Sleep is always good 🙂
Tracy
Great tips! Thanks!
Lina
The holiday is so stressful. These are helpful tips. Exercising helps with stress for me as well.
Carrie Beaton
I actually did some of these! Had a massage yesterday and got most of my gifts online!
Beatriz
Thank you this is so true!
heather
Any massage works for me! I have them monthly and it helps with all my aches and pains from running. It also helps reduce my stress.
master_admin_
That’s great Heather! I can’t live without my monthly massage 🙂
Susan
It’s hard to beat the holiday stress AND get into the spirit. Watching “The Year without a Santa Claus” seems to do the trick for me.
Brianna
This is great information. I sure could use a chair massage right now! Thank you for this post
Holly
I have never tried this before! Thank you for sharing I’m excited to try it!!
Tricia Snow
I ALWAYS PASS BY THESE! I will definitely take advantage from now on!
Malia
Not going to lie, just looking at these pictures of the massage chair makes me feel a bit more relaxed! I love upper body massage work! I’ve never had it done at work, but have had it done at a mall and it was wonderful. I was skeptical (it was a mall, after all), but it was fabulous!
Jen
Oh I just love a massage! There really is nothing like it!
Tracy
I love massages! The company I work for has 6 people who come into the office once a week who we can schedule massages with, it is an amazing convenience!
Angela
I wish they had this at my work!!!! I try to go 2x a year – life is busy!
Maria Gustafsson
I just had a two hour hot stone/massage last week, it was amazing. So no chair massage, but love how a massage makes me feel.
Cynthia
I totally agree that this is a great idea! I have had a couple of these and one time it was at my work-so relaxing. Thanks for sharing!
Suzan
I always take advantage when I can. A monthly massage is in order for me in 2020!
Susan
I miss getting my massages and I really do have to start making more time for me. You really don’t realize how much they increase your energy while reducing aches and pains… until you’re not getting them.
Carrie Beaton
I wish my employer would give me a message for all my nard work!
Beatriz
I wish you will be close for a message:-)
Lisa Manderino
I love getting a good massage, it is always so tempting when I see them at the airport!
Cindy
The holidays can certainly be overwhelming and stressful. Great tips!
jen
I miss getting monthly massages. they helped me so much.
Tara
I love this! Especially the comments about getting enough sleep and eating “real food” during the holidays. So often we are rushing around and eating poorly…doing these small things can significantly contribute to a yucky feeling. Great reminders indeed!
Michele
There is nothing more relaxing than a massage. I get them as often as possible. When we vacation I always make my hubby get one the first day to start of the vacation relaxed!
Cindy
Chair massages are so beneficial, especially in an office setting. My real estate company regularly brings in massage therapists and their chairs and pays for everyone to receive a relaxing message.
Maria Gustafsson
Thanks, this is great. Loved the questions, they really made me think!
Leslie
You hit the nail on the head!
Charlotte
I need to be setting a monthly goal like yesterday!! Thanks for the motivation.
Tiffany
Great time to stop and think about change is at the start of the new year – love these ideas!
Monica
We must change to improve our lives and set goals so we can measure progress.
Lisa Manderino
I am going to lose weight and eat healthy1
Holly
Great tips and advice. My main goal is to sleep better, pain free and restorative..I have been struggling with this!
Caitlin Westwood
I love this Jill! I feel goal setting is so important to getting exactly what you want out of life!
Lucy
Great advice on goal setting!
Liz DeFinnis
Love this! Such amazing information on methods of improving yourself one step at a time!
Tricia Snow
I agree you are never too old to start a new adventure.
Elizabeth
These are really great tips for goal settings and understanding your priorities!
Lucinda
I am going to spend more time on family photobooks this year. I keep putting them off to do things for other people. Well, this is important for my family, and they come first!
Sydney Delong
Great tips!
Leslie W.
You are right, sometimes you do need someone in your corner to cheer you on!
Angela
I am gling to call them dreams vs resolutions from now on! Feels more fun & less stressful
Vanessa
I just want to make people smile more this year. I think we need more laughter and good fun. That’s what I want to sprinkle in my walk of life.
Noelle Collins
I definitely need to exercise at least 3 times a week. I also would like to get my blogging business going. I just started in October, but I want it to be successful right away. This is such a good guide to writing out goals. I’m going to use this to write my goals down today.
Holly
Great tips!! Thank you for sharing your inspiring insightHolly!
Charlotte
Love your list of goal setting categories! I don’t always think of all the areas I need to improve in.
Lisa Manderino
I am with you we made a personal goal, a spiritual goal and a physical goal.
Kendra
I love the questions you provided! Great ideas for discovery and implementation. My focus is on health and wellness with an emphasis on weight loss and being alcohol free.
Annette
Great tips for being healthy this
year. When we take these steps, it has a domino impact on everything else in life.
Robin
I love this! I just started this today with a new goal to workout 3 times a week. I asked my husband to keep me accountable and to push me even when I get mad lol
Barbara Johnston
My goal is to be more present in everything I do.
Tonya | the Writer Mom
I’ve been enjoying reading about everyone’s goals for the year. Good luck!
Caitlin Westwood
These are super great questions to ask yourself! I always kind of wonder where to start when I am setting my goals for a new year. Thanks Jill!
Tracy
It can be so hard to pinpoint what to change first sometimes. Thanks for breaking it down into categories!
heather jandrue
A big goal of mine is to pay his 1st year of college woith no loans!
Maria
I tend to be an optimist, but when I find myself feeling dark or unhappy, and have learned that when I fill my heart with gratitude, rather than thinking about the things that are “wrong” (by my standards) with my life I am in a much better better mood. God blesses a grateful heart, with contentedness even if it not with the things we want!
Beatriz
Thank you!
Brianna
Thank you for this outline. I need this
Katherine Wolfe
Love this! For the first time ever, I set goals for different parts of my life (personal, marriage, parenting…) and I am super excited to see what happens!
Eva
I need to journal a bit more, because you’re so right about how it helps you to see chronic patterns (not all of which are good).
Cindy
Excellent tips!
I love setting goals and then creating action steps. I’m a list making, check mark making fiend. ?
One of my goals is to plan out a month of blog posts and social media shares at a time. January is planned out and it’s saved me so much time.
T.M. Brown
It’s so important to stay on top of your health during the holidays. Things can get crazy fast and being in a good frame of mind helps get through them just a tad easier.
Michele
Great tips! I love breaking down the steps and the questions that make you think and reflect!
Melissa Jones
This is a great way to make goal-setting easy and give people a good way to start and great questions to ask themselves!
Lisa
I love the discovery questions…really got me thinking about more purposeful goals.
Hollysbirdnest
I have always wanted to try this for weight loss.. always skeptical about it so thank you for sharing this could be a good series for me on my blog to see how it works!
Ramae Hamrin
I’m going to try this. I’m a firm believer in hypnosis and am so interested in learning more. My half-sister was cured of years of insomnia through hypnosis. The subconscious mind is so powerful! Looking forward to hearing more through your blog.
Jennifer
I like the affirmation, it’s a great edea.
Charlotte
I’ve always been so curious to if and how this works. Interesting article!
Lisa Manderino
It was a great to learn more about this!
Kendra
I’m looking forward to my first session this coming Thursday. Yay!
Tricia Snow
This is interesting. I just had a friend do hypnotherapy as a therapy for some issues she felt was blocking her and she said it has been life-changing.
Crystal
This was a great read, thank you
vanessa
I must admit that I’ve always wanted to try hypnosis. I think it’s a powerful tool that has all sorts of implications.
Sydney Delong
This is fascinating! I’ve always been unsure on if hypnosis actually works, it’d be interesting to see more posts about it!
Christina Furnival
I am a licensed mental health therapist and one of my mates from grad school continued on to hypnotherapy. I really don’t know much about it, but anything that helps is great!
Liz
So true- self-care is so important!
Adrienne
What a great breakdown of different massage types and what they work well for. I really should go more often than I do. My sister is a LMT and teaches me all sorts of cool info also. I think a lot of the philosophy surrounding massages are so interesting.
master_admin_
Thanks Adrienne! That is awesome that your sister shares her knowledge with you. It is definitely a very interesting field 🙂
master_admin_
Yes it is! We often forget to take time out for ourselves 🙂
Alice
Very informational. I would love a massage but it is not in my budget right now.
master_admin_
Thanks Alice. You may want to check into 30 or even 45 minutes which are less money. It is so worth saving up for 🙂
Cindy
All of this is now on my bucket list!
master_admin_
Awesome Cindy! Let me know which ones you try 🙂
Eva
I have always believed in massages for their health benefits and not just for a pampering day at a spa. I need to make time to get them more often. Maybe I’ll try them all!
master_admin_
That is great Eva! There are so many to choose from so you are bound to find one you really love 🙂
Debbie
Could use a good massage! I don’t get them often enough.
master_admin_
Hope you find the time soon! You usually never regret going 🙂
jen
informative. nice review of the differences in massage
master_admin_
Thanks Jen!
Ramae Hamrin
I’ve always wanted to try hot stone massage and Reiki. Oh, and reflexology. Everything is better after a massage. I would get one every day if I could!
master_admin_
Haha I know right me too! Reiki is a helpful healing tool and is very relaxing 🙂
Melissa
I’m so glad I came across this today! I deal with daily pain from brain surgery and four bulging disks in my neck. I’ve been through physical therapy, injections, etc., but nothing is helping. I did try a massage several months ago, but I didn’t choose the right therapist. And I know now, after reading your post, that I didn’t know what kind of massage to ask for. I’m going to talk to my doctors to see if they can point me in the right direction and see if my insurance would cover this treatment. Thank you!
master_admin_
Yes definitely keep looking for the right match and let me know if you have any questions because I specialize in pain management 🙂
Tricia Snow
I love trying different types of massage. Thank you for inspiring me to book soon! lol
master_admin_
Hope you go soon Tricia 🙂
Holly Bird
Great post!! hank you so much, I struggle from chronic illnesses and pain, I am going to think about this!
master_admin_
Thanks Holly! If you have pain, you may want to try myofascial work or a lighter technique. Let me know if you have questions because people who have chronic pain are my focus 🙂
Tiffany
Love the different types of massages – I try to get one at least once a month – it really does make a difference!
master_admin_
That’s a great schedule to keep 🙂
Lucy
I could def use a massage right now! even though I’m ticklish, i still love them!
master_admin_
I have some clients that are ticklish- usually using more pressure helps 🙂
Angela Sedlak | Mean Green Chef
Could definitely use a deep tissue massage right about, NOW! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
master_admin_
Thanks Angela! Hope you make an appointment to go soon 🙂
Jennifer
I regularly visit a Remedial Therapist here.
master_admin_
That’s great Jennifer! I am sure you notice a positive difference in your body with going often 🙂
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
I’m so passed due to a good massage. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
master_admin_
Time goes by so fast and I often let it go too long myself. It is best to schedule ahead so you have it to look forward to 🙂
Jenny
Great post. I could use a massage now, any kind would be great 🙂
master_admin_
Thanks Jenny! Hope you plan to go soon 🙂
Lisa Manderino
I need a message after reading this! I think a sports massage would be perfect!
master_admin_
Love a good sports massage! Ask for stretching if you want because it feels so great to have someone else stretch you out 🙂
Sydney Delong
I really need to put massages in my budget! I see a chiropractor every two weeks, but a massage will help!
master_admin_
Oh yes put it in the budget! You would be surprised just giving up a few things will free up the money for massages 🙂
master_admin_
Oh yes put it in the budget! You would be surprised just giving up a few things will free up the money for massages 🙂
vanessa
One of each for me, please. I’ve had most, except the hot stone and I can’t wait to experience it. Thanks for explaining them…I just know I feel great afterwards.
master_admin_
Haha I feel the same! I still haven’t experienced some of them but I can tell you the hot stone massage is so relaxing and pampering 🙂
Noelle
I never realized all of the different types of massages before. I realyl need to go more regularly! I always feel so much better after I’ve had a massage.
master_admin_
Yes you should go more regularly for sure! Try a different type next time 🙂
Stacey Billingsley
I’ve never had a massage, but it’s been on my mind. This teacher could use a deep tissue massage for sure! I’m feeling so tired and achy right now.
master_admin_
You deserve it! Just do some research to find the right match for you. It is best to look for someone with some experience especially for your first massage so they can explain to you what to expect. Let me know if you go and how it goes 🙂
Christina Furnival
This makes me want a massage, and pronto!
master_admin_
I want them ALL the time- like every week! It is never a bad time to go for a massage 🙂
Karla Petersen
This was very helpful! I have often wondered about the different types of massage.
master_admin_
Thanks Karla!
heather J jandrue
I get a sports massage on my legs every month. Worth every penny!
master_admin_
That is awesome Heather! I love giving and receiving sports massages too 🙂
Charlotte
I would love to try a massage again! I tried it once on my honeymoon and was disappointed, but I think we just ordered the wrong one.
master_admin_
Definitely keep trying to find the type and therapist you like 🙂
Brianna
This is a great and informative post! We all deserve to treat ourselves to a massage for self care.
master_admin_
Thanks Brianna! We do all DESERVE it 🙂
Melissa Jones
A massage sounds like a great way to manage stress!
master_admin_
OH yes, one of my favorites 🙂
Lisa
Oh I love massages…I am still looking for the right massage therapist though.
master_admin_
It helps to go through a professional organization when looking like the AMTA… American Massage Therapy Association. Keep trying 🙂
T.M. Brown
I’ve only had two or three massages in my life and each of them caused me significant pain after. It’s sad because I love the idea ~ especially the relaxing and working out toxins part…but it just hasn’t worked for me over the years.
master_admin_
I am sorry you haven’t had good experiences with massage therapy. Perhaps they were not trained enough to use more gentle techniques. No one should be in pain during or after! I hope you try it again someday and find someone who can change your mind about it 🙂
judean
Lavender and vanilla are my go-to combination for sleep!
master_admin_
Nice! I never combined those two 🙂
Lucy
these oils are amazing! I’m barely getting into them and wow, they really work!
master_admin_
It is surprising how effective they can be 🙂
Debbie
Just having time to enjoy difussing esential oils is the 1st positve and promising step for me. So enjoyable!
master_admin_
I know I am trying to do that more too at home 🙂
Tricia Snow
Great info. Oils can be confusing for people.
master_admin_
There is so much to know and yes it can be confusing. I believe there are even classes about it available 🙂
Lisa Manderino
I love lavender to help relief stress and anxiety
master_admin_
Me too! I use it in my office and at home 🙂
Debbi H
Very informative! I have used essential oils in the past. My favorites are peppermint and lavender.
Tim
Very interesting. I never cease to be amazed at the healing abilities hidden in nature.
Sandi
Thanks for all the great tips. I always learn something new.
Jennifer
I have a lot of lavender plants in my backyard
heather J jandrue
What would you recommend for sinus issues and allergies?
master_admin_
Peppermint and eucalyptus seem to work for me. But don’t put it near your eyes!
Liz
Great tips on how to utilize oils for health! TThank you!
Cindy
We use essential oils for motion sickness but I have not ventured into other areas yet.
KATIE
I really appreciate your approach to educating people on both the pros and cons of EOs.
Holly Bird
I love using essential oils and I like reading how people use them, I’ve been using them for over 30 years and these combination are spot on for stress and anxiety!
Sydney Delong
Thanks for this information! I have always been leary about diving into the world of essential oils, but this helps relieve those!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Great tips, especially knowing the source of the oils. Thanks so much for sharing!
Angela
Stress management is my #1 reason for these!
Christina Furnival
Essential oils are such an interesting concept to me!
Beth Shields
I do enjoy using oils. One of my favorites is peppermint. Use it for stress and headaches actually – – love to take a deep breath. I serve lavender towels at my afternoon teas – and that fragrance relaxes everyone! Thanks.
Tiffany
Love oils – and where they come from DOES make a difference! Haven’t tried orange yet – might have to experiment!
Brianna
Essential oils are the best to use when your sick, stressed, or you just want to relax. Thank you for this post!
Liz DeFinnis
I love my essential oils! Orange and lavender are favorites for sure! I find orange works well on my stress and also makes the house smell clean and fresh!
Noelle
Thanks so much for including me in your article. I have learned so much about essential oils in the past few years. We use them often in our home. 🙂
master_admin_
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with me Noelle! It was a pleasure chatting with you and getting to know you more 🙂
Kendra
I love all of the oils you recommended. They have been so helpful in managing my anxiety. I even use lavender when I go visit my crazy alpaca. It seems to take him down a notch.
jody
I love lavender I liked the way it always help to relax me.
Lisa
I am a fan of lavender…love the way it smells. Calms me down
Angela | Mean Green Chef
A great and informative article on essential oils, I use sandalwood and lavender for meditation purposes and love them. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Erika Brady
It’s great that this article explains how there aren’t many risks when using hypnosis and it can even help you get rid of fears and move on from past traumas. Last year, my brother’s house burned down and his two kids are still scared of being alone in the basement. I’ll have to talk to him about finding a hypnosis professional in his area so that they can start getting help to be more comfortable and confident with going anywhere in their new home.
Jackie
I love this post! I am currently to adjust my diet to include healthier options. I also am switching jobs and with everything going on in our world, stress is inevitable but I love your tips and tricks! I will keep these in mind. Thank you!
master_admin_
Thanks, Jackie! We definitely can’t avoid stress but can make adjustments to deal with it. Congrats on your new job and healthier eating!
Micki Tapper
Thank you for sharing. I have several Auto Immune issues and I have come to realize stress and diet play a HUGE part in my flairs.
master_admin_
Thanks for reading Micki. I also have autoimmune issues and always feel better when I manage my stress, diet, and exercise 🙂
Brianna
Thank you for this post. I am always trying to decrease my stress levels, but I tend to be very tense throughout my day, mostly without realizing. You have given me a lot of things to think about and test out, so I’m really hoping to get to a natural calm state soon!
master_admin_
Hi Brianna, I hope you do find some kind of balance to help you during the day. Just taking a few deep breaths will help your body switch over to that relaxing part of your nervous system. Keep trying to find at least one thing that works for you and let me know what happens 🙂
Susan
Thank you for all the valuable information. I especially loved the parts about environment and food. I completely agree with everything you wrote. Staying positive and eating clean are definitely steps in the right direction. 🙂
master_admin_
Thanks for reading Susan! I always find that if I eat meals under stressful circumstances my body doesn’t digest as well.
j
Thanks for this info. I find food is a big one for me. If I get stressed, I don’t eat well – then when I don’t eat well, my anxiety skyrockets. These are great reminders to take care of myself
master_admin_
I am the same! If I don’t eat well I feel much more anxious. 🙂
Angelina
So much great information. I have been trying to tell my daughters how much their environment affects their stress. I can’t wait to show them this post.
master_admin_
Thanks, Angelina! I hope your daughters learn something new to help 🙂
Noelle
I’m going to have to try 19 and 21 this week! Thanks for all of the suggestions.
master_admin_
Hi Noelle! Keep me posted on what works well for you 🙂
Beth Shields
Thanks Jill. Great suggestions for sure. I just did a remote workout with my gym – it was great! We have become very creative these days.
master_admin_
Good for you! Our creativity is definitely being challenged in these times. Stay well 🙂
Diane Kurzava
These are all great suggestions! I reduce my stress by starting with a soaking bath every morning. I’m then ready to tackle whatever comes my way!
master_admin_
Thanks, Diane! Taking baths is one of my favorite ways to unwind too 🙂
Hillari
What a comprehensive list! People definitely need suggestions and reminders right now about what they CAN control. This list is perfect for that 🙂
master_admin_
Thanks, Hillari! I like to remember that we have control over our reactions to things 🙂
April Key C. Rode
I love it how you specify here that our body hears everything. I enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing.
master_admin_
I am happy that you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading 🙂
Debbie
Great tips and so many useful apps! Thank you for sharing these!
master_admin_
Thanks, Debbie! Hope it is helpful to you 🙂
Lisa
These are great tips! I like checking to see if I am doing what you suggested. I was 100% on the first ones which I think are the most important!!
master_admin_
That’s awesome Lisa! All we can do is try every day to do our best 🙂
Tiffany
Great ideas – always looking for new ones and found a few on here!
master_admin_
Thanks, Tiffany! I am so happy you found some new ways to practice self-care 🙂
Lisa
Great list! I always like watching something funny to lighten the mood.
master_admin_
Thanks! We try to watch something funny a few times a day to lighten up everyone’s moods!
Brianna
These are all great suggestions! Especially the moving every day tip and the not watching so much media advice. Thank you!
master_admin_
I look forward to my workouts even more now because they help relieve the stress of it all!
Holly
I love all of your tips and advice! Self-care and lowering stress is the best thing we can do for ourselves!
master_admin_
Thanks, Holly! Hope you are staying well 🙂
Sandi
Hiding in the bathroom – I’ve done that for sure!
master_admin_
So funny. I just may work out of the bathroom to get more privacy with the kids home!
Adrienne
Thanks for sharing this much-needed information right now!
master_admin_
Hope it’s helpful to you 🙂
Angela
Pets and walks are sure a great release for me!
master_admin_
Pets are such a great stress reliever 🙂
Jennifer
Good ideas to keep oneself motivated and active
master_admin_
Thanks Jennifer!
Debbi H
These are great ideas! We are implementing some of them already, but you’ve given me some others to try. Thanks!
master_admin_
Awesome! Hope it helps you guys through this trying time 🙂
Jaci
Great post! Our favorite card game is Phase 10! But it’s a long night when you play the whole thing! Lol
master_admin_
That’s a great game! Good way to spend time and keep your mind busy!
Erica
WOW! I really needed this today! My anxiety has taken over the last couple of days! Thank you so very much for your wisdom! You are so right! Take care of yourself and yours, thank you again!
master_admin_
I have had a rise in anxiety too. Just try to keep a good routine for self-care and connect with positive people to take your mind off things 🙂
jen
nice list of ideas! i think a lot of people could benefit from reading this and implementing some of them
master_admin_
Thanks Jen!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Great tips & suggestions. We just enjoyed a virtual “party” last night. Great way to stay connected & not on social media 🙂
master_admin_
That’s awesome Suzan! I did this with my friends and it was great to connect!
Kendra
I’m loving these! I’m going to share this to my fb page to refer back to.
master_admin_
Thanks for the share, Kendra!
Jason Gowin
I appreciated this post very much, I find myself getting very lost in the dismal situation we find ourselves in here after my wife and I were pulled off work due to her increased risk of complications with the virus due to her heart. I need to remember to keep moving and exercise and to take a step back and see some of the positives that this experience is giving us.
master_admin_
Hi Jason- take it one day at a time. This is very overwhelming so make sure to take some self-care breaks throughout the day. Hang in there 🙂
Sydney D
Great list! Thanks for sharing!
master_admin_
Thanks, Sydney!
Lina
These are great ideas! I was just saying I needed a virtual happy hour 🙂 Thanks for sharing this.
master_admin_
My friends and I plan a virtual happy hour every week to keep us connected and sane!
Bella Tolentino
Thank you for sharing this! Wow!I’ve never thought of doing virtual tours but this sounds amaaaazing! Will need to do #18 and #21 also sounds fun!??
master_admin_
It is a good way to escape for a few minutes!
Liz
Such great suggestions! Thank you for sharing!
master_admin_
Thanks for reading!
Melissa Jones
Great tips! I’m going to share this on my work FB page!!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for sharing the post-Melissa! Much appreciated 🙂
Jennifer
Looks like you have been planning and organised checklists to stay motivated
Jill DeMasi
I am trying my best to stay organized 🙂
Lora Rovegna
I love lists! I believe they are key to being productive. Need to work on mine.
Jill DeMasi
Agreed! They help me so much even just to remember what it is I need to do 🙂
jen
ok nothing makes me happier than a good to do list…except the check marks and crossing things out. LOL
Jill DeMasi
So funny! That’s the best part to cross stuff off 🙂
Holly
This is an inspiring post!! I have struggled the last couple of weeks to stay motivated…Thank you!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Holly! One day at a time… stay positive 🙂
Lisa Manderino
Great idea to make a To-Do list to stay organized
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Lisa! I can’t live without them 🙂
Debbie
Oh my! My to do lists would probably be similar, I think I’m afraid to write them out tho. haha
Jill DeMasi
I know I am missing a ton of things but that’s a good start 🙂
Hillari
Ah! I love this information so much! Your examples are all so helpful! Lists are a must in order to stay organized and productive!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Hillari! I am happy you found it helpful 🙂
Cindy
These are great! Staying motivated can be so hard.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! It is a challenge for sure 🙂
Christina
Love seeing your to-do lists! It’s a great idea to keep track of what you are planning to do each day.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Christina! It definitely helps me stay sane!
Kimberly
Such a great motivation! I work well with To-Do lists, but I’ve beel letting them slip. Thank you for reminding me what works best for me and getting me back in the groove!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Kimberly! I hope it helps you get back on track!
Denise
I agree at using this time to get things with either your personal life or business or even both. Setting yourself some goals by using a checklist is a great idea Jill! Thanks for sharing ?
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading Denise! No better time than the present to get stuff in order 🙂
Tricia Snow
It is so hard to stay motivated during this time. Watching for the news and information has derailed me!
Jill DeMasi
It is really hard! I limit the news to once in the morning and then once in the evening. Turn off the TV 🙂
Tiffany
What a list! I tend to add things to my list just to check them off! Ha!
Jill DeMasi
So do I! It can get really ridiculous sometimes!
Casandra
I love writing to-do lists out and it feels so good to cross them off!
Jill DeMasi
Oh yes, it does! That’s the best part 🙂
Lora
I have very similar to do lists right niw, except I’m lucky (or unlucky?) To be working still. Social work with foster homes is essential.
Jill DeMasi
Good to still have a job… stay safe!
Beth Shields
I have been a checklist person for years. Try to make them out the night before – even moreso in this environment to keep things going. A multi-tasker at heart it has helped me keep track of things but also not to take myself too seriously – let some of it go. Thanks.
Jill DeMasi
Yes I agree sometimes you just can’t get to everything and have to let some of it go for another time 🙂
Anna
I can totally understand how satisfied it feels when your clients feel a relieve from pain. I am a former massage therapist myself. And sorry that you had to close your business for now. But you are doing a great job using your day to the fullest! And congratulations on the weight lost! Accomplishments must always be celebrated, no matter how small they are.
Stay safe and healthy!
Jill DeMasi
Thank you, Anna! So you know that feeling- I really miss my clients 🙂
Charlotte
Going outside is a great suggestions. We had several great days, but today is back to rain ?
Jill DeMasi
Hopefully, it will turn around soon and we can benefit from the sunny weather! Either way, I still go out even if it’s just a few minutes. until I get cold!
Junell DuBois
Great list. Working from home with my husband also working from home and the kids doing school from home, I don’t really have a list for me! There are to do lists for the kids and I just squeeze what I can in between work and school stuff.
Jill DeMasi
It’s so hard to balance the kid’s stuff and our stuff. But don’t let yourself get too lost in the shuffle 🙂
April Key C. Rode
Great post and I love the graph you showed here. It all makes sense it is important to know what we enjoy doing what love to do and work on it. Thanks for sharing.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading, April! Hope you find some helpful insights 🙂
Jordan
Great list. I especially like the tasks about doing something with vacation photos. I’ve been meaning to print mine forever and now seems like a good time.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Jordan! I just looked through some of mine today and it made me happy to just see them again 🙂
judean
Maybe I missed it…but are these daily checklists? When I read them, I feel overwhelmed. I do daily checklists but they are more of a to-do task list. I suppose I can add some things that would be more personal to make sure I get things done.
Jill DeMasi
Hi Judean, these are just to-do lists based on what I have to and want to get done. NO way can I get any of this done in a day! Just sharing what works for me by having a guide to know what I want to get done 🙂
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Like you, structure is vital here on the hill. We are extremely busy growing season has begun, catching up on home projects both inside & out, and blogging to boot. On my list today? Sewing a few masks. Thanks for sharing your list, makes me feel like I’m not alone 🙂
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Suzan. Hope you accomplish what you want to during this time 🙂
Kendra
Very great idea to have physical checklists. I have many of the same on my list, but not having them physically there to check off makes them easy to miss. Thanks for this post!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Kendra. It’s like a brain dump so I don’t forget to do anything 🙂
Tara
These are all really great ways to stay motivated during this time! Writing lists is my favorite way; thank you for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Tara!
Sandi
I am a compulsive list maker, key for me to follow through.
Jill DeMasi
That’s a tough one for me too. I write the lists and then sometimes I don’t complete everything!
Jason Gowin
Such important ideas and concepts for this very difficult time! thank you for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Jason! Hope it is helpful 🙂
Stephanie
Making lists are so important, I definitely need to do that soon. I keep saying I am going to make a list but get distracted with everything that needs to go on my list.
Jill DeMasi
It is so easy to get distracted these days! Try to do it when you have some quiet time so you can focus 🙂
jody
I always need a to do list helps alot.
Jill DeMasi
I wouldn’t feel organized without them!
Pauline
I’m an essential worker, so it’s work as usual for me. But I spent a few days home with a sick kid and getting motivated was hard because my routine is out of whack. Great tips.
Jill DeMasi
Hope you stay safe and healthy out there!
jen
My USA travel list is more like a book! I don’t think I’ll see it all in a lifetime… but i’m happy to try!!
Jill DeMasi
Definitely worth trying to see how much you can see!
Debbie
Yes! Working on my list too!! I feel like most travel will be in US for a bit. Lots of places to keep us busy tho! ?
Jill DeMasi
Awesome Debbie! I agree probably best to stay in the US for a while and there are plenty of places to keep busy!
Linda Egeler
Your photo of Sedona is breathtaking! Added to my bucket list
Jill DeMasi
Sedona is by far the most beautiful and peaceful place I have been to in the US.
Karie
I really need to make me a travel bucket list. I was going to take my kids to all the states but now I am down to 2 kids and a whole lot of states. I need to get on the ball. Life just sometimes passes so fast and then it’s too late. Better now than never though. 🙂
Jill DeMasi
Life does pass by so quickly. I was surprised that I hadn’t been to more states by now!
Tricia Snow
You have done quite a bit! I loved your photos too. Great memories and more to be made!
Jill DeMasi
Here’s hoping we can all make more travel memories very soon!
Suzan | It’s My Sustainable Life
I’ve really been wanting to do the big loop through the Blue Ridge Mt range. Spend some time honky tonking in Nashville would be great. Hopefully soon!
Jill DeMasi
Nashville is one place I can keep going back to over and over. So fun!
Mariah French
You have a great bucket list! Seeing your pictures makes me want to travel again so bad!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Mariah! It helps me remember good times that will happen again eventually 🙂
Tiffany
I really want to head to the Grand Canyon! Certainly on my list. One of these days going to figure out what states I have been to and start visiting the rest!
Jill DeMasi
The grand canyon is a must see. It almost doesn’t look real it is so amazing!
heather J jandrue
I have been to 19 states. Besides my own, my faves are North Carolina (love the coast) and Florida(my BFF Mickey Mouse lives there). I did a similar post called my Travel Bucket List. It has 15 US destinations and 15 International ones. It is fun to research and dream about what we would want to do there. As for a Disney Cruise, we have been on one 9 times. It is one of our favorite vacations.
Jill DeMasi
The Disney cruise was one of our favorites too! They really know how to entertain and pamper adults and kids!
Jaclyn
I’ve been to 19 states so far. All 50 are on my bucket list, really. But if I would have to pick my top 3 to visit next, they would be Tennessee, Arizona, and Oregon.
Jill DeMasi
Never been to Oregon either but Tennessee and Arizona have some great destinations!
Lisa Manderino
There are so many to wonderful places to visit in the USA. I love California and Florida.
Jill DeMasi
I know I keep adding more and more to my list especially after reading your posts!
Candy
We’ve been to 28. Alaska is on our list too!
Jill DeMasi
I can’t wait to go there! Thinking about doing a cruise there.
Holly
Believe or not I have never been to Washington DC and Arkansas.. the rest of your list I have done!
Jill DeMasi
That’s amazing Holly! You are almost done seeing all the states!
Lori
I have been to 22 states if I counted correctly. The USA has so many amazing places to visit. We have made it a part of our trips to go to as many National Parks as well.
Jill DeMasi
Awesome! There is so much beauty right in the USA 🙂
Eva Keller
Great photos and list! I have pretty similar destinations I’d like to hit up in the future. I’m hoping to take my husband to Disney World ASAP. We were supposed to be going next week so now we just have to wait and see. I’ve been a million times and used to work there so I can’t wait to share my original home with him.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Eva! Hope you get to go to Disney soon. We were just there in November with the kids for their first time and it was so fun 🙂
Barbara
Good ideas!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Barbara!
Santana
I don’t have a bucket list, but I definitely need to make one! After going on our honeymoon I just want to travel. ?
Jill DeMasi
It is fun to make a list and explore places to visit 🙂
Julia Kelahan
Good idea to look back at pics of trips right now. Inspiration! Looks like you have been on plenty of good ones. As for states, I’ve got 32 – more to go!
Jill DeMasi
Awesome! It is one way to pass the time 🙂
Kendra
Wonderful bucket list! These were some of my faves from your list. I think my state count is around 25, but a few more are a bit fuzzy.
Great Smokey Mountains- Tennessee
Acadia National Park- Maine
Napa Valley-California
Hawaii- beaches and volcanoes
Zion National Park, Utah
Jill DeMasi
Thanks Kendra! I really hope to go to Tennessee first but I would take any one of them at this point 🙂
Sydney
UM Football Stadium is a must! GO BLUE! There’s so many great things to see in Michigan! If you have the time, go up to Mackinaw Island.
Jill DeMasi
Just looks so cool and we love football! Thanks for the tip!
Alice
I have only been to Sedona and every time I reread the blog post I wrote about it I enjoy the thrill of seeing it again. I only had a cheap cell phone at the time. I hope to revisit with my new camera. My bucket list is long!
Jill DeMasi
Yes, you definitely need a great camera to capture the beauty there!
Cathy
You’ve had some great trips! I like thinking about past trips these days too! Great photos! Thanks for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks Cathy!
Hillari
This is such a neat article! But I think you need to add Maine to your list 😉
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! Yes I do want to get to Maine one day!
Cindy
Great US travel list! I’d visit any of those too. So far I’ve been to 29 states. I’m really lacking in the US NW.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy!
Charlene
I have been to 41 states, and God-willing, I’ll be going to 5 more before the end of 2020. Let me know when you start planning your trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland has so much to offer!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Charlene! Hope you get to the rest soon!
Lina
There is so much to see and do right here in the US. Love this bucket list.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Lina!
Shirley
I have traveled to very few states. And never out of the country. You are very lucky to have done all the traveling you have. I see Idaho is not marked. It’s a beautiful state! lol Thanks for sharing all of your travel pictures!
Jill DeMasi
Hope one day you can get to explore more of our beautiful country!
Sandi
I’m at 25 states and counting. Just had trips to Alaska, Missouri, and Lousiana cancelled 🙁
Jill DeMasi
That’s too bad Sandi! I had to cancel a trip to Sedona- I was supposed to be there this week. Hopefully, you can reschedule soon 🙂
Becca
These are wonderful! I’ve read a lot more recently and started working out, I’m on week 2!
Jill DeMasi
Working out is my favorite stress reliever because it works every time!
Cindy
We have hit many of the places you outlined and they were on the bucket list. I still have so many places to go in the US. I would love to have hit all of the National Parks at least.
Jill DeMasi
Hope we all get back out there soon!
Lisa
So many great places to visit! I’ve been to 41 states… getting so close to finishing them all
Jill DeMasi
That’s awesome, Lisa! Hope to visit all US states one of these days!
Ruth Iaela-Pukahi
How fun and exciting to have traveled so much! I have a downpayment for a Disney cruise, to take my 7 kids, cousin & her husband (I wasn’t allowed to take all 7 kids alone according to cruise rules) for THIS October. It is from California to Mexico…we will see if this cruise is still available…
Jill DeMasi
We loved the Disney cruise! I hope you guys get to go one day because it is an unforgettable trip!
Stephanie
I would love to do more traveling especially to Disney World, we are planning to go there one day but first we are going to take our son to Disneyland since it is closer to us here in Washington. Plus when we go he will only be 3 or 4. Nevertheless I am super excited to go when the time comes. I have never really left the west coast so my list of states I have visited is very small.
Marianne
Nicely written… showing this article to my teen who is having issues with some toxic “friends”. May help coming from someone other than Mom!
Marianne
Both my oldest son and my younger daughter have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. My daughter is 12. Anxiety runs on my husbands side of the family, so it’s not surprising. It’s not easy though. We have been trying a variety of techniques to keep our daughter calm, and stress free. I will let her read this article, because hearing it from someone else, is always more effective than when it comes from Mom… at least in the teen years! Lol
Jill DeMasi
It is not easy as an adult so I am sure it’s even harder as a teen. At least you know and can get help now for them so they can grow up with helpful tools. I really love the calm and breethe apps and have found guided meditation extremely helpful to calm the brain down.
Linda Egeler
Don’t forget about more Latin American countries. We loved our trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Ecuador. They are much more inexpensive that some of the countries on your list and the people were lovely. We were blown away by the beaches in Nicaragua!
Roselyn Franke
Interesting article, but I noticed France is not on your list and I’m sure you must have some reason. However, it’s a wonderful country and you will miss a lot by not traveling there as well.
Jan
I’ve been to most of the places on your wish list (over 60 countries). I would love to help you plan your travels to some of these places! Check out my website to connect! ?? ?
Danielle Ardizzone
I remember learning about Maslow’s Hierarchy back in psychology class as an undergraduate. Such powerful implications for self-fulfillment!
Jill DeMasi
It is so interesting! I took psych in college and found all of it so fascinating.
Alyssa
I knew little about how the mind and body are intertwined, thank you for sharing this information!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading! Happy you learned something new 🙂
Holly
Great post! I have heard about this, but never read such great detailed information! Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading Holly!
Alexis Farmer
Love this post! It’s awesome how you tied the chakras to the body and Maslow, I’ve never seen that done before
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! Happy you enjoyed reading 🙂
Jordan
This is so interesting. I learned a bit about this as a Pscych major in college, but not quite this much. It’s amazing how intricate and interconnected our bodies are.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! It always fascinates me every time I think about it and learn more 🙂
Douglas Jasper
Thank you. It is interesting reading how are inner workings are so intertwined.
Jill DeMasi
I appreciate you reading the post 🙂
Kristin
God designed our bodies in such a complicated, mysterious, beautiful way.
Jill DeMasi
He knew what he was doing for sure. So amazing 🙂
Sara
Very interesting. Our bodies are amazing!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading!
Tricia Snow
Great information! Thank you som much!
Jill DeMasi
Appreciate you reading my post!
Michele
Thanks for the information. I’ve been working hard on my root chakra for years. I really need to start working on my sacral. This is where I am storing excess fat. I’m hiding from something.
Jill DeMasi
Take your time and eventually, you will figure it out. No pressure on yourself 🙂
Amy
This was a great read. I’ve heard very little on this so it was very interesting to learn about. The make-up of our bodies is incredible in such an amazing way!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Amy! When I first learned about it I was blown away at the connections 🙂
Debbie
Very interesting correlations and practical advice as what to let go of.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks Debbie! It definitely makes you think about what is good and not good for you 🙂
Jennifer Morrison
I am always relating back to Maslow’s Hierarchy. Very interesting ideas.
Jill DeMasi
Always so interesting to read about!
Chelsea
Wow. The graphics illustrate your point perfectly. I had no idea chakras were related to hormones. But, I suppose it makes sense! I bet knowing this comes in handy during massage as well!
Jill DeMasi
Yes, it definitely has a big impact on massages. 🙂
Santana
Wow, this takes me back to my psychology class. You put a lot of good information into this post!
Barbara
Our bodies are such amazing creations! God surely knitted perfection when he made human!
Jill DeMasi
Yes God created us perfectly!
Lisa Manderino
I love how you diagrammed it out! It really makes this so much easier to understand!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks Lisa!
Leeandra
I never knew about how chakras & hormones were related, great information.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! It was fairly new to me as well 🙂
Wella
I thought chakras were foo foo stuff they do in massage, but the scientific breakdown you did made me a believer!
Jill DeMasi
There is definitely so many connections and it makes sense 🙂
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
Fascinating, relating chakras to the endocrine system. I have so much to learn!
Jill DeMasi
It is so good to keep learning and be open to new perspectives 🙂
Carmen
Great, detailed explanation of the endocrine system and chakras.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading!
Liz
I didn’t realize that the two were related, but it makes so much more sense! I need to learn about this!
Lina
Such a great post relating to the endocrine system. The way you broke it down is very easy to digest and understand. Thanks
Kendra
This is so fascinating! Thanks for breaking it all down. So interesting for sure!
Alice
Good application of different concepts working together for whole health.
Sandi
It is so great when a Massage Therapist treats the whole body. Bravo! I was lucky enough to find one, and I love her.
Myrka
I loved this! Very detailed and well explained. I’ve been trying to do some work on my hormonal imbalance. I’ve worked on my chakras before but wasn’t very consistent. This was very helpful to know and now I know where I can start.
Cindy
Its all energy and it’s all so connected isn’t it?! I do energy work and chakra work, primarily for myself. Appreciate your post.
Holly
I just got me copy! So excited to get some quiet time to read it this week!
Beth Shields
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think that the questions are particularly helpful to stimulate reflection as well. Healing can be a life long journey but you have to stay the course.
Kristin
This would be a necessary book for everyone. We ALL need healing in our lives, at different levels in different seasons. Fighting for emotional wellness needs to be a priority in order to lead healthy, productive lives.
Lisa Shivel
This looks like a great read. Thank you for sharing.
Lisa Manderino
This is so sweet! What a great recommendation!
Sabrina DeWalt
This sounds like a great read.
Douglas Jasper
Thank you for all the valuable information you share.
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
Thank you for the book review. I’m certain it will benefit its readers tremendously!
Melissa| It's a Joyous Journey
Looks like a great read…thanks for sharing!
Alyssa
Thanks for sharing, I know a few people who may benefit from this book.
Tricia Snow
This is great information! I look forward to reading the book!
Cas
I look forward to reading this book. It sounds like it will be a wonderful read.
Debbie
Thank you for your professional opinion and recommendation! Never know when we will be on a healing journey.
Amy
Sounds like a great read. We all experience struggles. It’s how we deal with them and if we allow ourselves to heal from them. I could definitely focus more on the healing aspect myself.
Vanessa
This is great info and thanks for letting us know about the book. I love that quote about gratitude because it makes us open for more.
Sara
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
Chelsea
Some of what she went through sounds similar to my childhood and I can identify with the questions you ask. I’ll have to check it out. Sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
heather J jandrue
This sounds like a great book. Thank you for sharing.
Alexis Farmer
I need to check out this book!
Christina Furnival
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the info!
Guy Guyton
This book seems extremely well-timed for what we all have ahead of us for the foreseeable future. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to reading more!
Leeandra
This sounds like a great book to read. Healing can be difficult but it seems like this book helps with that.
Santana
I think this book has a little something everyone needs right now. Great timing!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Great review & love the quotes as well!
Kendra
This book is definitely something I’m looking forward to reading! I can’t wait to receive my copy!
Danielle Ardizzone
I like the distinction made between responding and reacting. Very insightful!
Tiffany S
Wonderful read! I am just learning about the chakras. Thank you for sharing this information!
Leslie W.
So interesting! I had no idea! Thanks for sharing.
Cindy
Sounds like a very good book! Thanks for the review.
Charlene Hartley
I love to read about different concepts and theories on health and wellness. This was interesting!
Kristin
Swimming is such a great exercise! I’m realizing that the older I get and see so many elderly or those with health problems in the pool.
Jill DeMasi
It is a great way to stay active if you have an injury or illness!
Megan
What great suggestions! And really, some of these are just fun ways to shake up a workout routine (like swimming or pilates!)
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Megan! I need a variety to keep me interested!
Leeandra
Great tips for staying active, I love pilates and yoga!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Leeandra! I am trying to love yoga!
Sydney
Great tips for getting active- and are great tips even if you don’t have a chronic illness!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sydney! I did most of these too before getting fibro.
Jan
Great info and links! I use a lot of these techniques even though I don’t have chronic illness. And I also watch Fitness Blender videos! ??
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Jan! Fitness Blender trainers are awesome!
Sara
I don’t have a chronic illness, but I had hip replacement surgery two years ago at age 37 and will need to have my other hip replaced in the not too distant future, and all of these things are great for me too.
Jill DeMasi
Wow, that’s so young to have a hip replaced. I hope you are healing well!
Lisa Manderino
I love all of these exercises and hopefully they will help me not develop a chronic illness.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, everything on that list is awesome to try either way for prevention too!
Sabrina DeWalt
Great suggestions for staying active but without overdoing it.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sabrina! That is definitely a reason why I chose those activities because it is so easy for me to overdo it!
Debbie
Something for everyone! Makes me want to check out Tai Chi 🙂
Jill DeMasi
It is extremely relaxing and so easy on the body!
Holly
Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring post. Those of us that have chronic illnesses need to be reminded of the importance of exercise!
Jill DeMasi
Yes, I always need to check in with myself to make sure I don’t overwhelm my body on the good days!
Alexis Farmer
All awesome ideas! I know yoga helps me with mine immensely.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Alexis! Happy to hear that yoga helps you feel better!
Chelsea
Great suggestions. I think my favorite ones of these are walking and yoga. I have a shoulder injury that prevents me from doing a lot of intense exercise. And even some yoga poses are challenging. But I still feel like I’m getting a good workout with these gentle exercises.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Chelsea! Good to be gentle with an injury. I know that resistance bands are a huge help with shoulder pain.
Alyssa
It’s so important to try to get some exercise in. My favorite is HITT!
Jill DeMasi
I love HIIT workouts too and do them on the days I feel up to it!
Barbara
After an achilles tear…the pool was my outlet! It provided me the ability to be weightless and it was wonderful! Great read!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Barbara! I love working out in the pool also!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Nothing has helped me when I am in a flair-up more than yoga & practicing pranayama (breathing techniques) to get the energy moving within the body and create a restful mind. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Jill DeMasi
That’s awesome, Suzan. A deep breathing practice is a huge help for me too!
Kendra
Thanks for this great information. Pilates has been helping me lots of the last 2 months.
Jill DeMasi
I miss going to Pilates classes and using the reformer so now I just do the mat workouts which can be challenging!
Alice
Thanks I needed to read this! I have fibromyalgia and arthritis throughout my body. I know I need to get up and move, a lot! I do work at Walmart part time in the self check areas. I get to walk around and I average 5000+ steps in a 6 hour shift. I do need to do more stretching though. Good ideas!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Alice. That’s great to get those steps in! When I have a flare-up, walking is pretty much all I attempt. Hope you are having more good days than bad 🙂
Marianne
I keep hoping to give yoga a try again. I’m noticing I’m sore longer after heavy workouts or long runs. Aging sucks! Lol…
Jill DeMasi
Yes, it does! Finding the right activity may take a few tries!
Maria Gustafsson
I needed the kick in the butt with this message, gotta get going again, it’s so easy not to do anything. Thanks for the gentle reminder!
Jill DeMasi
Happy to give you a little boost to get going! Good luck 🙂
Cindy
Excellent suggestions. I suffered from chronic pain and inflammation for 20 years. These types of activities helped. I switched to a plant based lifestyle and thankfully healed.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! I am so happy you found a plant-based diet that works for you!
Sydney Delong
This is awesome! I love that you have a workbook for it- it takes practice to attain a positive outlook- at least for me it does
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sydney! It definitely takes a lot of practice to be positive consistently.
Megan
Sounds like a great resource for helping create positivity and getting back on track with health!
Jill DeMasi
Thank you, Megan! I hope to spread the word about it!
Beth Shields
Great suggestions. Yes, I think that so much is about your mindset. A positive mindset is critical for health in general. Thanks so much for sharing.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Beth! It is such a necessary part of improving our health.
Brianna
I love this because mindset is the catalyst of everything and we have the ability to change our mindet into a positive and healthy one! Thank you for this reminder!
Jill DeMasi
It is so empowering to know that we have the power to change!
Leeandra
This is so true improving your mindset can help with so much!
Jill DeMasi
It is a game-changer for sure!
Maria Gustafsson
Such a great message! I think a lot of people need this right now 🙂
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Maria! I agree a lot of people are in need and they may not even realize it.
Alyssa
Great information. I know allot of people who definitely let negativity keep them down. Wonderful resources!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Alyssa! My hope is to share with all those in need.
Ashley Pacheco
I need these reminders sometimes, too. Thanks!
Jill DeMasi
I still need reminders myself too!
Beth
People often tell me that I’m a positive person but I know that positivity builds on itself and that it can be coached. How great that the cardiac support group responded so well to what you had to offer.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, it was very satisfying to share this info with them!
Tiffany Smith
This year especially has been hard for many. Everyone can use a little help with positivity!
Jill DeMasi
Yes, the events of this year can bring anyone down!
Sabrina DeWalt
While it is not always easy to maintain a positive frame of mind, it definitely makes it easier to cope with situations than a doom and gloom attitude.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, I never get anywhere good when I am not practicing positive thinking!
Ramae Hamrin
That’s awesome that you have a passion for helping suffering people. We need more people like you in the world. It’s so important to realize that we do have control over our thoughts. I didn’t realize this until well into my 40’s, and I’m still in need of practice!
Jill DeMasi
I learned it too later in life. I wish I knew it sooner!
Debbie
It really is amazing when we just choose to be positive with thots and actions.
Jill DeMasi
It definitely helps get through life more easily!
Kristin
I try to work on my thoughts with the “stinking thinking” I occasionally fall into. It’s hard to be consistent, though, especially with a naturally melancholy personality. I know I feel better emotionally when I take care of myself physically and spiritually as well.
Jill DeMasi
Agreed! I am the same way and need consistent self-care to feel my best!
Chelsea
Wow. That’s awesome you have a workbook. It sounds great! And I’d love to be more glass-half-full, but like you, anxiety and past trauma has me living with a lot of hypervigilance. Which seems to lead to a half-empty mentality. But I’m working on it!
Jill DeMasi
It is great that you are working on it. It’s a journey always!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
We need to exercise our mind. Train it to focus on the moment, releasing negative thought patterns. Although I can easily slip into old patterns, remaining positive on a daily basis is something I practice and strive for. Thank you for your insights into this!
Jill DeMasi
It takes a consistent effort for me!
Elaina
I definitely needed this today, I was starting to let the stress of everything turn me into a negative nelly. It’s great to have a reminder once and a while to turn it back around.
Jill DeMasi
We all have those days!
Marianne
This is awesome! I love the workbook idea! there are so many people who struggle with negativity ruling their lives. I know, there are some days when I can feel myself going down that road, and so many tips that you mentioned, are things that are easy enough to try.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Marianne! It is too easy to get off track so this workbook is a good resource to help those in need.
Barbara
Thanks for the encouraging words!
Jill DeMasi
I am happy you were encouraged!
Jessica
You bring up some really good points, thanks for the tips. I like to call myself a realist rather than an optimist or pessimist, but I feel like as I get older that tends to tip towards negativity vs positivity. And I don’t always like that!!
Jill DeMasi
There is always a battle for that balance!
Maya
What an important topic & such helpful tips. Everything starts with a positive mindset, so important to cultivate that. Thank you, for this helpful post.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Maya! Good to have reminders of how crucial mindset is 🙂
Cindy Mailhot
Mindset and how you feel is an incredible link. I am always amazed to see the immediate change sin people and those around them based on mindset alone.
Jill DeMasi
Agreed! It such a huge part of living a healthy life.
Alice
A positive mindset goes a long way in healing both the mind and body.
Jill DeMasi
100% agree!
Cindy Moore
What an encouragement to others, to have your workbook. I’m an very positive person, annoyingly so for some people. However, I realize how difficult it is for some to make that shift. It is possible though and it makes such a difference in life.
Jill DeMasi
It has made a huge difference in my life for sure!
Beth Shields
Great list of things to focus on. I think that there is a balance to understanding true self-love and that once filled, you can openly continue to care for others. Its a good thing. Thanks for sharing.
Jill DeMasi
Agreed! It is a good place to be 🙂
Alyssa
Great post! It is super important to take care of others but before you can take care of your loved ones properly you need to take care of yourself first! So many people neglected themselves and you can definitely tell one someone is neglecting taking care of themselves.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Alyssa! Self-care is so necessary 🙂
Tiffany Smith
I definitely need to add some of these to my repertoire! I need to work a bit more to find time to pamper myself and have a creative outlet 🙂
Jill DeMasi
You are worth it! Hope you find something fun!
Debbie
All good suggestions to build a morning or evening routine around.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading Debbie!
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
Simple but important tips. Self love can be so challenging to achieve but these will help!
Jill DeMasi
Definitely needs to be an ongoing practice 🙂
Lisa Manderino
These are all so important. We need to take care of ourselves so we can help other too!
Jill DeMasi
I always feel more equipped to be a caregiver after I work on my own self-care 🙂
Elaina
Beautiful list. I think we all tend to neglect ourselves from time to time. We all deserve to be happy ?.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Elaina! The trick is to remember we are deserving always 🙂
Jordan
Thank you for this list. Great reminders. I especially need to remember the forgiving yourself and being kind.
Jill DeMasi
Always be kind to yourself 🙂
Megan
I love these tips. I have to do physical activity/exercise or I feel like I just drag thru the day. And alone time is rare for me, so when I have it, I try to be productive. But I should focus more on self love during that alone time!
Jill DeMasi
Alone time is hard to come by so hopefully you find some and do something good for yourself 🙂
Sydney Delong
These are all great acts of self love! I should do better to practice them, maybe rotate through different ones!
Jill DeMasi
It is good to change things up to keep it interesting 🙂
Kristin
We have to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others. I love the idea of giving someone permission to nurture their own talent. So important, as well as forgiving others and ourselves.
Jill DeMasi
Any positive practice is helpful 🙂
Chelsea
As I get older, and have given so much of myself to others, I realize how crucial self-care is. I recently heard how self-care isn’t selfish because when we give to ourselves, we’re usually more apt to be able to give to others. So taking care of ourselves really does benefit everyone.
Jill DeMasi
So true we have more to give when our cup is filled up!
Ashley Pacheco
I love the evaluation of negative influences. There are so many things these days that influence us and we don’t even realize it. Just a different world with mini-computers in our hands.
Jill DeMasi
True we don’t even realize the negative stuff sometimes!
Kristina
So much truth here! Thanks for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Kristina!
Suz
I’ve been making my own sugar scrubs, and moisturizers with orange essential oils, (and diffusing it too) – and using them A LOT,and that is very soothing to me.
Jill DeMasi
That sounds wonderful, Suz!
Jane
Great tips about self care. Sometimes when we’re too busy we tend to forget about caring for ourselves. Love this post.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Jane! It is not always easy to fit it in but so important 🙂
Tiffany
These are so important to remember – and I think we have forgotten some of these during these last few months. Thank you for the reminders.
Jill DeMasi
This year has been tough so we need those extra reminders more often 🙂
Barbara
Yes! You are so right! Why do we tend to place ourselves last on the list with no time left over for ourselves daily? This I will work on!
Jill DeMasi
An effort to make some positive changes will be great for you 🙂
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Wonderful reminders that if we don’t take care of ourselves first, we cannot be available for those we love.
Jill DeMasi
I often have to remind myself!
Maya
How often we forget to take care of ourselves….Self care, so important for or well being. Informative post, took notes to add some to my existing list. Thank you
Jill DeMasi
Awesome, Maya! Hope you make some time for new and exciting things 🙂
Marianne
Hmmm… never really considered nurturing a talent tonne self love… but it really does make a lot of sense!
Jill DeMasi
I think that is my favorite one!
Denise
This is a great list to help to learn how to take that moment to recharge your own battery, it isn’t being selfish it is simply being smart. Thanks for sharing! ??
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Denise! Yes, we are not selfish for taking care of ourselves 🙂
Cindy Mailhot
Taking care of yourself is so important. Especially as we enter into the holiday season.
Jill DeMasi
It is great to start now and get on a good track before the Holidays!
Melissa Jones
What great tips! Self-care is so very important! I can’t wait to share these on my blog and brick and mortar mental health practice FB pages this week!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Melissa! I appreciate your support 🙂
Cindy Moore
This is the perfect self love list. It’s so important to pamper ourselves and love ourselves. Sundays are my self love/self care day.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy. It is great to plan out a day for self-care 🙂
Beth Shields
This is sooo important, especially for some of us getting….older or more mature (ha). I foam roll 1-2 times daily. Workout hard with 5 days a week and then walk several miles on the other. So good to do that but it makes one sore. This was great to see all the ways to manage the pain. Thanks!
Jill DeMasi
That is great Beth! Sounds like you are on top of your self-care routine 🙂
Magan
I do many of these things already, but there are definitely some ideas I could grasp onto–especially as we’re coming into this holiday season!
Jill DeMasi
Awesome, Magan! So great to have the tools!
Laura
This post is great for this time of year. So many people get stressed or sick over the holidays and I think it’s because they don’t take care of themselves-inside and out. These tips are also good for people preparing New Years resolutions.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Laura! Always good to have gentle reminders 🙂
Karie
Love self-care it is so important. I sometimes overlook sleep as self-care. Probably should be top of my list. Great advice.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Karie! Sleep is the toughest for me!
Alyssa
Awesome tips for self-care! Thank you for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading, Alyssa 🙂
Debbie
All great suggestions and I incorporate a lot of these in my life already, but making it an intentional routine is a terrific idea!
Jill DeMasi
That’s great Debbie!
Elaina
This I need to do more of. I realized how much I hold my emotions in and then it’s a trickle down effect on myself psychically and then the rest of the family feels on edge around me. I have found eating better has helped my overall mood too.
Jill DeMasi
Good to realize what you need and are missing and then work on it one day at a time 🙂
Bonnie
I sometimes have to remind myself to practice self care. It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day things that need to be done and not take care of yourself.
Jill DeMasi
So easy to forget about our own needs!
Beth Shields
This is a great list and I do pretty much all of them. I just finished cleaning my office and chuckled at your comment about stress when your “work environment” is messy. Its much easier for me to come into my office and it doesn’t completely take over my house! Thanks for the reminders and the affirmation.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Beth! Cleaning is my therapy 🙂
Sabrina DeWalt
Great suggestions. I particularly enjoyed the part on stress management. All too often we forget about that when we think of self-care.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sabrina! Stress is the root cause of so many problems!
Lisa Manderino
This are all perfect things to think about. Sometimes I forget how much I need to take care of myself!
Jill DeMasi
Good to be reminded every now and then! Thanks for reading, Lisa 🙂
Keirsten
Self-care is so important. I love that we’re finally seeing this expressed more & more. Great list <3
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Keirsten! I agree it is time all women step up the self-care because we deserve it!
Sabrina
Love this list. Gratitude and rest are key for me. Thanks for sharing.
Jill DeMasi
Both of those are so important to be happy!
Tiffany Smith
I am starting to form good nutrition and workout habits, but I really have to work on the sleep!
Jill DeMasi
That is awesome Tiffany! One day at a time 🙂
Suz
Thank you – I should pay more attention to all of these things.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading Suz! Try to pick one to start with 🙂
Marianne
There are many great suggestions here! I try my hardest to take care of myself, but i do admit, a lot of the time the kids needs take over, and the end of the week comes and I’m exhausted. I’m definitely a work in progress!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Marianne! Kids definitely make it tougher to find time for yourself. Just a few minutes a day maybe after they go to sleep 🙂
Sandi Barrett
Self care has been tough this year. I’m looking forward to seeing my acupuncturist again soon. Thanks for the reminder.
Jill DeMasi
Acupuncture is a great option! So relaxing 🙂
Stephanie Veach
Definitely needed this. I recently became a stay at home mom and remembering to de-stress daily and take time for myself is something I didn’t know how badly I needed it
Jill DeMasi
Oh yes– stay at home moms need even more self-care 🙂
Barbara
These are all great assessment to remind us all!
Jill DeMasi
I always need several reminders!
Justine
Great list! Self care and stress management are so important. We all get so caught up in everything we have to do that it can be hard to focus on what we need to do for ourselves.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Justine! It is definitely a challenge to fit it in but it is possible 🙂
Suzan
Great reminders. I will be my best Self when I take care of myself first in all ways.
Jill DeMasi
Agree 100% that when we practice self-care regularly we can become the best version of ourselves. 🙂
Cindy Moore
Great ideas! Self care is such an important part of overall wellness I think! I use Sunday afternoons for self care.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! It’s awesome to pick one day to focus on self-care 🙂
Danielle Ardizzone
Excellent tips! I love the idea of cleansing.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Danielle! Any time of year I like to do a cleanse 🙂
Sarah B
I have everything on your Sleep Essentials list & could not agree more!
Jill DeMasi
Awesome! Anything to make sleeping a little easier 🙂
Keirsten
Great list. So similar to the one I just did which means, these are clearly wellness items people need to add to their lives for sure!
Jill DeMasi
Life is so much better with them 🙂
Tiffany Smith
It is def time for new pillows and heated blanket at my house!!
Jill DeMasi
The heated blanket is so nice to have!
Holly
These are some great self-care gifts, not only for myself but to give to others! I love the massage pillow! Thank you for sharing your great ideas!! Perfect timing!
Jill DeMasi
Hope you find some great gifts, Holly!
Debbie
Alter Eco Truffles!!! Yes!!! Dark chocolate is my fav. I’m sure they are all delish!
Lots of other great ideas too 🙂
Jill DeMasi
My favorite chocolate to date!
Lisa Manderino
I think self care in the winter is even more important. It is hard not having as much daylight!
Jill DeMasi
Yes, this time of year self-care needs to be stepped up. I need it more now!
Elaina
So hard to pick a favorite out of this list, I’d take it all ? and maybe I should! We’re thinking of weekend light driving since we can’t do all of our normal holiday activities.
Jill DeMasi
A quick little road trip would be awesome and good for the soul!
Marianne
Great list! Would love some of these items in my stocking! And as for learning a new hobby… photography and blogging have been my current obsession for this crazy year!
Jill DeMasi
I am getting into photography too this year!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
What a great list for self care! I especially appreciate the dry brushing. This is a life-savor for my dry skin during the winter months.
Jill DeMasi
I love a good dry brushing!
Melissa | It's a Joyous Journey
It’s hard to make myself make time for self-care. I know it’s important, though. Thanks for these ideas.
Jill DeMasi
It is not easy but possible to carve out even just a few minutes for yourself 🙂 Takes practice!
Sabrina DeWalt
Great sheets are a must in my book. You have lots of good ideas in this post.
Jill DeMasi
You can definitely tell the difference when the sheets aren’t of good quality!
Barbara
Great ideas for self care! Great list!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Barbara!
Sandi Barrett
My selfcare gift this year is booking a girls weekend at a Spa for this spring. Bring on 2021
Jill DeMasi
That’s awesome! Enjoy it to the fullest 🙂
Melissa Jones
Love it! Pillows are especially important for good rest and we don’t tend to think about those as much!
Jill DeMasi
I can’t sleep without a good pillow!
Roselyn Franke
Great article with an array of tips, gift selections, and range of prices!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Roselyn!
Danielle Ardizzone
My skin becomes so dry in the winter, you could use it as kindling. Thanks for the skin care ideas!
Jill DeMasi
I need to apply lotion a couple times per day in the winter!
Cindy Moore
These are wonderful self care suggestions and gifts! I think it’s so important to care for ourselves, especially during this busy holiday season.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! Hope you find some time for self-care this season 🙂
Tiffany
I am trying to get creative with gifts this year, a little different and unique and this lists helps expand my search!
Jill DeMasi
Hope you find something you like!
Roselyn Franke
Great tips – I do a few of these things, but need to try the others. I agree – stress can have a tremendous effect on your body!
Jill DeMasi
Doing any self-care this year is great!
Linda Egeler
Falling asleep at night has long been a challenge for me. I actually do most of the things on your list already. Now: if only I could totally eliminate the after-dinner snacking!
Jill DeMasi
It is a huge challenge for lots of us to fall asleep! I hope these tips help 🙂
Holly B
Great tips and advice! A good night sleep is so important and I never thought about writing down the things that I need to do the next day.. I’m going to try this! Thank you!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Holly! Let me know how the brain dump works for you. 🙂
Carrie Pankratz
Sleep is so very important. When I can’t sleep, I am usually worried about something. Yoga or brain dumping in a journal are often helpful to set those things aside and allow me to sleep. This is great information. Thanks.
Jill DeMasi
I love journaling too to get all those thoughts out of my head!
inas
great tips I will have to try since I struggle sometimes from all the electronics we have to disconnect from
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! It is so hard to put them down but I notice a huge difference when I just read a book instead of watching TV at night. 🙂
Keirsten
Such great tips! I never really have any issues with sleeping so I’m fortunate with that. But if I have a big day, the night before usually involves a lot of tossing and turning. I already do so many of your tips but I think the jotting everything down before bed would be super beneficial for me. Thanks for the article!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Keirsten. I love doing the brain dump at all times of the day!
Michelle
YES!! I have found that as I get older, stretching, especially at night prior to bed is essential. One, so I can relax and be comfortable and two because I’m getting to be stiff as a board! Nothing worse than a stiff back when trying to sleep. So disruptive.
Jill DeMasi
That would make it harder to unwind for sure! Stretching is so helpful 🙂
Tricia Snow
Great tips! I added progesterone cream to my regiment and sleep like a baby now.
Jill DeMasi
That’s awesome to find something that helps!
Sandi Barrett
I love this! I always right down my list of to-dos before I go to bed. Don’t have to worry about them – great advice.
Jill DeMasi
That’s great, Sandi! Anything that helps put your mind to rest.
Suzan | It’s My Sustainable Life
Hormonal changes have definitely interrupted sleep. Wonderful tips!
Jill DeMasi
I think I am having that problem too lately!
Marianne
I am blessed in that I rarely have trouble getting to sleep… getting enough sleep is a different story! When I work night shifts I have a room darkening blind that I use… works almost too well!
Jill DeMasi
Room darkening shades are awesome!
Beth Shields
Great tips and had to chuckle about making the list of to-dos for the next day so your brain can turn off. I have done this for years and somehow my brain just doesn’t turn off. But I have done several of these things and it does help. Thanks for your post.
Jill DeMasi
Try some different ways and eventually you will find that one thing that does work!
Barbara
Great advice and tips! I like the tea ideas!
Jill DeMasi
The relaxing teas really work!
Tiffany Smith
I move my workouts to earlier and now am trying to do nighttime stretches. I need to be better with turning off electronics but I do all my work and socialization on computer now 🙁
Jill DeMasi
I know it’s hard to shut off the computer especially when you have to work on your blog! I have to do work on this myself!
lisa manderino
These are great ways to improve sleep!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Lisa! Hope you find something that helps.
Kendra
Wonderful sleep tips! I usually have no problems falling asleep, but if I wake in the middle of the night, it’s hard for me to get back to sleep.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Kendra! It’s so hard for me to get back to sleep after my bathroom trips!
Sabrina DeWalt
Great tips. A good night’s sleep is so important.
Jill DeMasi
So needed for all of us!
Tiffany
I started listening to music at bedtime and it made such a difference! Its from a medication app, and between that and some of your other tips I might have room to improve my nights even more!
Jill DeMasi
I love listening to ocean waves at night to help put me to sleep!
Alice
These are great suggestions for getting a good night’s sleep. I usually fall asleep easily but sometimes I wake up two or three times a night. I avoid caffeine after 3pm.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Alice! Avoiding caffeine is extremely helpful.
Melissa Jones
Great tips! so many people have problems sleeping!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! It is a huge problem affecting so many.
Danielle Ardizzone
Great list! I’m terrible at laying off the caffeine before bed – one more thing to fix in 2021!
Jill DeMasi
A worthy goal to accomplish!
Cindy Moore
Great tips for a good night’s sleep, which is so important! I do most of these.
Jill DeMasi
It feels so good to find at least one thing that works!
Holly
Great tips and advice! Self-care intentions are the most important.. if we don’t take care of ourselves… we can’t take care of others!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Holly. That is so true!
Sabrina DeWalt
I am intrigued by this box. Sounds fun, but I would worry that I wouldn’t use everything each month.
Jill DeMasi
It is really fun! I use the majority of products. You don’t have to get it every month. There are options to get it once and believe you can skip too.
Chelsea
I love your self-care intentions. The questions really got me thinking. And it’s nice to spend time thinking about something for myself!
Jill DeMasi
That’s great, Chelsea. Hope you get something out of it!
Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com
I have good intentions – but you know what they say about those … “The road to H***” is paved with them.
It’s good to have a plan.
Jill DeMasi
It is good to have a plan always!
Debbie
Oh yeh!! A self care box arriving at my door would not make me feel the least bit guilty. Love this.
Jill DeMasi
That’s good Debbie! We need to embrace taking care of ourselves and having little treats to celebrate!
Tiffany
I love setting smaller goals, I always go so grand and then usually end up disappointing myself! Least I dust myself off and continue onward, and love the idea of setting intentions!
Jill DeMasi
I like to think of them as intentions instead of goals. Less overwhelming!
lisa manderino
I just love the boxes with fun stuff to make me feel great!
Jill DeMasi
Me too! It’s a happy day when that box arrives 🙂
Keirsten
I love your 10 intentions. Self-care is so important, I love that this is becoming more of an acknowledged thing! <3
Jill DeMasi
Yes, it is nice that more women are starting to realize self-care is not selfish but well deserved and needed!
Barbara
GREAT self care ideas and motivations!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Barbara! Hope you were inspired 🙂
Cindy
Self care is so important.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, should be at the top of our lists!
Sandi Barrett
Why is self care always last on the list of to-dos? I do find it’s easier now that my kids are grown 🙂
Jill DeMasi
I agree it is easier when the kids are older and are less dependant on us!
Tiffany
I got a few of my friends to sign up for your group and everyone loves it!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks so much, Tiffany! I appreciate you sharing it. It has been fun!
Suzan
Definitely need to turn some love on me a bit more! Thanks for the reminders
Jill DeMasi
Say yes to self-love!
Melissa | It's a Joyous Journey
Great ideas! That little box would be such a treat to receive! I’m going to take a look at that.
Jill DeMasi
It is a nice treat for sure!
Cecile
Taking care of ourselves is so important. It give you strength to be able to take care of others.
Jill DeMasi
So true we need as much strength as we can get!
Marianne
Looks like a really great box! I’m finding it more and more important to really consider self-care with the pandemic continuing into its second year now. Making sure my kids are doing the same.
Jill DeMasi
Even kids need self-care too!
Kristin
Awesome post. I like the breakdown with the daily intentions simplified! I need to up my self care game. Thanks for the gentle reminder.
Jill DeMasi
One day at a time 🙂
Elizabeth
These are great steps! Self-care is so important for happiness and mental health.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Elizabeth. I am trying to help people with their mental health and hope to be a light!
Ashley Pacheco
All of those were great points to stop and think about, I did!
Jill DeMasi
Good to stop and think about stuff every once in a while!
Sandra Whitmore
Congratulations on your new FB group. I am sure it is needed.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sandra! It has been a lot of fun!
Maya
Self- care is not selfish. We all need it!
Jill DeMasi
Yes, it is so important to keep up with!
Ben
I remember getting so frustrated when I first got sick that I could barely do anything. I went from doing intense workouts being in the best shape of my life, to going back to the gym and doing literally like 3 or 4 exercises with 1 set each. And doing it very lightly i’d get lightheaded. It really got me down.
I definately agree with starting small with gentle exercises. Qigong is a very good one, which is pretty similar to tai-chi. It helps you heal and build energy in your body. I think I would have went mental if I wasn’t doing ‘something’ even if I did have to learn to go really gradual at it, more than I ever had before.
I wouldn’t have minded trying some swimming back then, but annoyingly one of my most frustrating symptoms was aggrivated just being immersed too much in the bath.
Jill DeMasi
I am happy you found something that works for you. It is not easy. I understand. Intense exercise just isn’t needed for anyone overall anyway!
Cindy Moore
Self care is so vital! And I didn’t know there was a self care box!
Alexis Farmer
I needed to read this today after being in a funk. Time to set some intentions!
Jill DeMasi
I hope it gave you a little inspiration! 🙂
Whitney Woodley
Very neat. I need to add this to my journaling.
Jill DeMasi
It really is a thought-provoking exercise! I loved doing it 🙂
Sabrina DeWalt
What a great way to stay on track.
Jill DeMasi
It was an eye-opening experience!
Joanne
What a great way to commit! It would be very easy to forget if you don’t write it down and review daily!
Jill DeMasi
It really is a helpful exercise! When I remember to do it!!
Holly B
I love the inspiring way you share how to set intentions… thank you, perfect for me!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Holly! I really loved this exercise 🙂
Tammy Horvath
I have post-it notes everywhere to help me remember to diet. I need to have a healthier lifestyle, and writing things down helps me.
Jill DeMasi
All you can do is try to be better each day! I need to write stuff down so I remember to do it 🙂
Darby
I like how you broke down the questions into days. It doesn’t feel overwhelming with the journaling but at the end you have 30 thoughts to gather insight from. Like you mentioned, there may be areas that overlap that concludes to a main focal point which can show direction too!
Jill DeMasi
One day at a time! I didn’t notice until the end what really needs to be worked on most 🙂
Faye
This is a great way to look at setting intentions – I myself set simple ones which focus on my mindset for the day – as I struggle with a negative outlook and I am working on shifting my perspective to one of positivity
Jill DeMasi
Mindset is definitely something that needs a little work every day 🙂
MissKorang
Thanks for sharing this. Realistic intentions help! I find that setting unrealistic intentions make me feel like a failure and deepen my funk!
Jill DeMasi
I totally agree with that! No need to overwhelm ourselves 🙂
Angela
Wow, I have thought about this before but not exactly in this way. How going about things without intent is really not well! (or efficient – thanks!)
Jill DeMasi
It was an interesting way to look at setting intentions!
Sandra Whitmore
I am focusing on healthy eating and daily exercise after getting off track during the pandemic.
Jill DeMasi
Good place to start for sure!
Kristen W Allred
I love this guide on setting intentions. It gave me some ideas of how I can do better.
Jill DeMasi
That’s great, Kristen! Good luck with making positive changes 🙂
Barbara
Setting intentions is a healthy exercise. Following through meaningfully is a another level of commitment though!
Jill DeMasi
That’s always the hardest part!
Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com
Thank you for your cheerful, positive, and uplifting post. ?
Jill DeMasi
I appreciate you taking the time to read! 🙂
Marianne
What a great way to journal. Kind of sounds like my gratitude journal that has things to keep in mind for the day (pre printed). But setting your own small intentions daily will definitely be an easier way of accomplishing your larger goals.
Jill DeMasi
It was a great guide to follow!
Cindy Moore
What a great challenge! Well done.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! It was a lot of fun and interesting to uncover new things to work on:)
Tiffany
The worst is when doctors say it’s in your head or that you just have to live with it. After leaving my career, I am astounding at how much pain relief I am getting. Finally motivated to get back to massage therapy and chiropractor for relief that will last!
Jill DeMasi
It was hard to hear but I am glad I didn’t listen! Good for you getting back to massage and chiro!
Sabrina
These are great tips. I don’t have chronic back pain but every now and then my back feels like there is some pressure. So I rest and thankfully it all goes away. Thanks for sharing.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sabrina! Hope you never have to experience back pain!
Faye
I don’t have terrible back pain but I suffer in my neck, shoulders and head, hips and down quite badly. These I think are good tips for those as well
Jill DeMasi
Yes, all of these tips can be helpful for any part of your body!
lisa Manderino
I love my chiropractor. I tend to throw my back out once a year and it is amazing the work they can do!
Jill DeMasi
They are definitely great if you can find a good one!
Alexis Farmer
I’ve been having a harder time managing my low back pain recently. Thanks for the helpful reminders in here!
Jill DeMasi
Hope you can find something that helps!
Keirsten
Such great suggestions. My back has been really tight lately and I find yoga and stretching/foam rolling really helps release that tension too. I also try to eat alkaline to lessen the inflammation in my body. Thanks for sharing this!
Jill DeMasi
Those are all so very helpful in preventing pain too!
Megan
Love these suggestions. I have been thinking so much lately about visiting a naturopath. I love that they can get to the root and healing of the problem!
Jill DeMasi
I love Naturopaths and have been going to them for years!
Tammy Horvath
A lot of good advice you have provided. I was born with 2 curves in my spine, so I know all about back pain.
Jill DeMasi
I hear you. There are many ways to help prevent that from getting worse. 🙂
Barbara
Very good advice! I too receive regular chiropractic adjustments. Our whole family does actually! It is a wellness choice.
Jill DeMasi
We all visit the chiro for wellness visits… even the kids!
Whitney Woodley
I’m pregnant so I definitely use a few of these tips already. haha Thank you so much for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Congrats! I know a lot of my clients first start having back pain while they are pregnant. Hope you have a good pregnancy!
Marianne
Getting a massage is my favourite thing when my back starts acting up. My disclaimer is that my pain is not severe or chronic. I would love to try acupuncture at some point as well.
Jill DeMasi
Massage is so great for so many things. I really like acupuncture too!
Chelsea
Back pain as a massage therapist would be tough. All that bending over. I’m glad you’ve found relief. Something else I’ve recently seeing with reliving chronic pain is therapy, specifically biofeedback therapy. It’s pretty interesting. I’d kill for a visit with a massage therapist right now though. Many of ours have been closed. 🙁
Jill DeMasi
Oh.. that’s too bad. Hope you can get a massage soon!
Danielle Ardizzone
I have a chronic back issue as well. For me, I need to keep up with my core exercises in addition to frequent epsom salt baths.
Jill DeMasi
Core exercises are necessary for so many issues especially back pain. I love taking Epsom salt baths!
Sandi
Glad you found a solution. Holistic medicine can be a true game changer.
Jill DeMasi
I really like the mix of holistic and traditional medicine. It has been a lifesaver!
Larissa
Sorry, to hear you got your back hurt but glad you found the way to heal it. Thank you for sharing. I believe this will help to a lot of people who sufferer from back pain.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading, Larissa!
Kristin
This is so helpful. I suffer from neck pain occasionally and I imagine some of these strategies would work as well.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, all of these are good for any pain in the body 🙂
Carolyn
Chronic back pain is awful, especially at night. I found out that back pain can sometimes be caused by seemingly unrelated body parts. My physical therapist was able to figure out that my problem was actually in my FOOT, and by changing shoes (of all things) my back pain went away. PTs are the BEST!
Jill DeMasi
So many times I have seen this in my clients. Pain could definitely be caused by another part of the body!
Debbie
Unfortunate that you had to endure so much pain, but happy your journey has been so rewarding!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Debbie. It was a life-changing experience for sure!
Alice
Very informative. I’ve had back pain all my life. I use many of these remedies.
Jill DeMasi
I hope you found something that helps you!
Suzan
So glad you found what works for you. The best is to prevent issues in the first place. Yoga is my therapy of choice, but am a strong proponent of alternative therapies as well.
Jill DeMasi
Prevention is key, however, doesn’t really help when you experience traumas like falling or being in an accident. Yoga is helpful but should be practiced with caution especially with back pain. I can’t tell you how many people I see that actually get hurt from doing yoga incorrectly!
Ashley Pacheco
It’s amazing how magical epsom salt baths really are! You don’t know until you’ve tried it.
Jill DeMasi
So true. It really helps me feel better with just 1 bath!
Kendra
Great information! I’ve had back pain for years. I’ll have to try the 24/7 Relief & Recovery Topical Pain Relief.
Jill DeMasi
It is the best cream I have ever used for pain!
Jason Gowin
I’ve struggled with back pain myself for awhile now. It got worse during covid but due to my wife’s heart condition we didn’t make any unnecessary doctor visits, and I tried to power through it. Once we get the vaccine, I think I may take a page from your book and check with a chiropractor
Jill DeMasi
Hope you can get referred to a good one!
Melissa Jones
Great tips for better managing pain!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Melissa!
Cindy Moore
Wonderful suggestions! And I’ll add one: change your diet. After a bad car accident, I had chronic back and leg pain for 20 years. I tried everything. After walking with a cane for a year and facing the prospect of a wheelchair, I changed to a plant based diet. And healed. The shingles virus had attacked my sciatic nerves. Eliminating certain animal based foods from my diet healed the chronic inflammation. No more cane. No wheelchair. No pain.
Jill DeMasi
That’s amazing Cindy!
Tiffany
All great tips! You never know when back pain will strike – I still remember pulling a back muscle picking up a sock. A sock! Never again – I leave them all on the floor now!
Jill DeMasi
It is so true it can come out of nowhere even if you are in good shape!
Maya
Great tips! Yoga & massages were a life saver for me.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Maya!
Allison
Wonderful wealth of information. Now is a time when many really need these avenues for self care. I look forward to reading more of your articles.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading, Allison! 🙂
Heather Jandrue
Thanks for the list of apps. I love the 365 days of motivation quotes.
Jill DeMasi
Feels good to read a few per day to cancel out the negative news!
Sandra Whitmore
Thanks, Jill. Very comprehensive list. Headspace has been my meditation app for years.
Jill DeMasi
That’s awesome to find one that really works for you!
Alexis Farmer
I’ve heard really good things about some of these apps! I want to try Headspace.
Jill DeMasi
Let me know what you think of that one!
Marianne
Until I read this post, I didn’t realize just how many self care apps I actually have on both my phone and iPad! Everything from health to nutrition to fitness to gratitude.
Jill DeMasi
I am still finding ones to try. So many choices!
Tricia Snow
How cool that I can have a gratitude journal in an app! Thanks for the tips. I will be looking into a few of them!
Jill DeMasi
I love that you can read back what you were grateful for in past entries!
Kristen W Allred
Thank you for these suggestions for self-care apps. I’ve been looking for a recipe one and will probably try Yummly.
Jill DeMasi
I love their recipe videos!
Barbara
These are great apps to consider to get motivated! It makes it easy!
Jill DeMasi
A good way to pass the time!
Emily
Great list! I have some of them, I do get addicted to the brain games, so I try to avoid them haha
Jill DeMasi
I know what you mean! I can play the wheel for hours lol
Angela
Calm! I love it. Will try a few of these other ones too.
Jill DeMasi
I use that one often!
Sabrina DeWalt
My, how times have changed. It seems there is an app for pretty much anything you can think of now.
Jill DeMasi
There are thousands to explore!
Cindy Moore
This is a great resource! So many helpful apps.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! I hope it is helpful 🙂
Marianne
Stress definitely has a hug impact on health. And with everything going on in the world, I have noticed my own health being affected by increase stress. I asm prone to migraines, and have seen a sharp increase in the amount that I get, since the pandemic started.
Jill DeMasi
Stress can cause all sorts of health problems. I hope you get some relief and remember to practice your self-care 🙂
elaina
I think it is important to remember to look at all aspects of our life and make sure it is all in balance. If one is off it can affect all the others. Great tips!
Jill DeMasi
Agree! It is good to reflect on these things to see what is out of balance.
Elizabeth
What a great post! So many times we work in just one area and don’t even consider the other areas because we don’t think they are as important. But they are all important!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! I hope people learn something from my post 🙂
Cindy
These are very important components of health to address.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, they are key to creating a healthy lifestyle!
Stephanie
I soooo agree! We need to start being proactive. It’s a much better way to live. Good advice!
Jill DeMasi
Agree, we can’t wait until we are sick and dying to improve our health.
Angela
Such a good way to remember this easily with the 5 categories – will start sharing this with my kids so they can start good habits young.
Jill DeMasi
This would be great for all kids to learn about as they grow up!
Sabrina DeWalt
There is something to be said for the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Jill DeMasi
Very wise advice indeed!
Cindy Moore
These are indeed all key pieces to the health puzzle. Great post!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! I am happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Lisa Manderino
It is so true . There are so many pieces that take part in health.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading, Lisa!
Sabrina DeWalt
What a wonderful time we live in, where there is an app for just about anything you need. Thank you for the review on an app that can help a lot of people.
Jill DeMasi
There is an app for everything these days! 🙂
Holly B
WOW! This is a great app.. chronic illnesses are so difficult to live with and this can help so many people to get through the day!!
Jill DeMasi
I really loved it and think it can be so useful to newly diagnosed as well as those who have suffered a while.
Amanda
I really appreciate this honest review! It sounds like a really great app for pain management and overall lifestyle choices.
Jill DeMasi
It is pretty impressive!
Cindy
What a great app. So many can benefit from it.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, I agree it will be so helpful for many people!
Stephanie
This sounds like a great app that is helpful. Who wouldn’t want to start their day more calm??
Jill DeMasi
Oh yes, every day would be great to start that way!
Marianne
I love this honest review. Such a great app for an important purpose, and with so many great benefits. There truly is an app for everything!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! It offers a lot of helpful tips!
Kiera
I love that it adds in mindfulness and yoga. It’s all connected, and can help with chronic pain! Neat app!
Jill DeMasi
The app is awesome and great for anyone!
Cindy Moore
This looks like an excellent app for pain management! I suffered with chronic pain for more than 20 years. Changing to a plant based diet eliminated the pain. I certainly would have tried this app had it been available!
Jill DeMasi
So happy to hear you are feeling better!
David Godbold
This is really a nice article. Massager chairs are beneficial for pain syndromes, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, and many more. Looking forward to see more informative articles like this.
Thanks for this nice article.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading!
Caz / InvisiblyMe
I’ve come across this, I think through a blogging FB page, but I’ve never tried the app myself. I agree with the other comment on how great it is to live in this day and age where tech allows such useful things right at our fingertips. I think I especially like the mindfulness and breathing part, it’s like this combines a few elements that other apps do but all in one. Fantastic review!
Caz xx
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading!
Jean
Excellent!! So proud of you, keep up the good work and hope you can help more people.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks ❤
Tammy Horvath
I understand about putting weight on recently too. It wasn’t due to covid either. I kept letting myself go for a few years after losing my only child to murder, and I weighed the most I’ve ever weighed, just like you. I’m so glad that you have found so many things to take care of yourself. Congratulations on losing a lot of weight. I just started 4 months ago, but I am having great success. I love how you want to help others with self-care.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! Good luck on your journey too. Great that you are on your way!
Debbie
Wow!! Way to go!! Lifestyle changes might be the hardest but payoff the most!
Jill DeMasi
Thank you!
Whitney Woodley
I love this!! Your growth is inspiring! It’s great that you made the necessary changes for your health & wellness. Thanks for sharing!
Jill DeMasi
Thank you for reading!
Alexis Farmer
Welcome back! Congratulations on making positive lifestyle changes. It’s such a challenge but incredibly worth it.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Alexis! Good to be back 🙂
Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com
How exciting! Congratulations on persevering through this. My metabolism is completely trashed from dieting in my youth, and I can’t seem to reduce my weight by eating little.
I requested to join your FB group – hope I can be part of your test group!
Jill DeMasi
Thank you for your support! I just approved you in the group. Look under the Announcements tab to sign up. Enjoy!
Terra Booth
You should be very proud of yourself! As you said, changing your habits and mindset can be very difficult. We all know what we should be doing but many of us never actually put it into practice to get there!
Jill DeMasi
It is definitely a long journey but one very worth taking. Thanks for reading!
Cindy
Well done you! Change can be so hard to implement and maintain.
Jill DeMasi
Thank you! It is a challenge but one I am willing to continue to take on 🙂
Kristen
I love the well-rounded nature of your self care routine.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading 🙂
Tiffany
Same! This last year everything and everyone came first and my health and weight did not fair well. Currently trying to find a good balance. Took it easy with my website for awhile and am halting adding on any clients or jobs until November at least so I can focus on me
Jill DeMasi
There is nothing wrong with focusing on you! Sometimes you just need a break 🙂
Jill DeMasi
You are worth focusing on you!
Cecile Leger
I love how honest and vulnerable your post is. That’s what make it so real. I’m a Mom and Stepmom too and yes being a stepmom can be really hard even when it’s good.
I kind of felt in the same path as you during Covid. I’ve been working my way up in the past couple weeks, training 6 time a week and eating better. Thank you for your honesty, it make me feel less alone.
Jill DeMasi
You are never alone. Good for you… Making healthy changes is one step to feeling more normal. Especially as a stepmom.. I get it!
Catherine
This is so inspiring! I’m glad you took the step to get help. Happy looks good on you!
Jill DeMasi
Thank you!
Marianne
Welcome back! Congrats on your journey so far! The older I get, the more I realize that what used to work for weight loss, just doesn’t anymore. I am slowly starting to head towards making some changes… baby steps!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! That’s all you can do – one small step at a time 🙂
Cindy Moore
You are doing so well! I understand. I made a huge lifestyle change five years ago and it’s made such a difference in my life. I embraced a plant based lifestyle and it changed my health completely.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! That is great those changes worked for you 🙂
Barbara
Good for you! Excellent to re-focus and re-charge! Good luck to you! The hardest part of a life style change is maintaining this new course…falling back into old routines is the danger…it happens! Be strong in your new convictions!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks! Trying my best to stick to the good habits I have made!
Kristen W Allred
I love your before and after pics and your tips. I’ve been doing weight watchers for a few years and that’s helped me a lot (and it’s actually a pretty fun program.)
Jill DeMasi
Thank you! It is great to find a program that works for you. 🙂
Debbie
Such important information to share to help others cope. Having just a few of these symptoms would be life altering, especially if not armed with this type of info and support!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading!
Elizabeth
So glad you are able to work on you! Sometimes life gets so busy that we don’t put our wellbeing first. It’s so important to take care of yourself. This is such a wonderful and positive post!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
So happy you found your happy place! It’s not easy to do on your own even coaches need coaches! Believe me I know the struggle!
Jill DeMasi
Yes! Once I allowed myself to get help from a coach that is when things started to change for the better.
Megan
Jill this is amazing! I love that you mention sometimes the work won’t pay off until you get in the right mindset. Our mind is so powerful! Congrats on the progress!
Jill DeMasi
Mindset is the toughest habit for me!
Heather Jandrue
Excellent! 2020 was tough and exercise was the one thing that helped me keep my sanity! Congrats on taking care of yourself.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading. 🙂
Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog
Congratulations on your journey!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks so much. 🙂
Carolyn
Congratulations on your success! I’m the same age as you and I’ve noticed changes in my skin, too. What products are you having success with?
Jill DeMasi
Thank you! I just started using No 7 products and liking them so far.
spencer justin
I was looking for such a piece of information and these benefits proved to be much helpful for me.
Jill DeMasi
I am happy to hear that was helpful to you! Thanks for reading!
Debbie
Who wouldn’t appreciate any of these gifts?! I didn’t know Gordon Ramsey offered the cooking class. How fun would that be!!
Jill DeMasi
I would appreciate a gift like that since I definitely need some instruction in the cooking area!
Cecile Leger
Love this list. Self-care gifts are the best. I never thought about offering a online course, that is such a great idea.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, I have taken a few and they are awesome!
Lisa
I would enjoy all of these gifts! They are unique and would really help someone relax!!
Jill DeMasi
I love giving and receiving unique gifts that are memorable!
Denise
These are all amazing gifts and I agree, giving the gift to help someone feel better about their mental health is the BEST gift you can give anybody ?
Thank you for sharing this post and loved it ?
Jill DeMasi
So true. Thanks for reading, Denise!
Chelsea
Jill these look awesome! I hadn’t heard of Crate Joy before but that looks fun. And I always love when someone gifts me a massage. It doesn’t happen often enough lol!
Jill DeMasi
A Massage is always my favorite gift! But CrateJoy has so many cool options!
Terra Booth
These are amazing ideas! Very unique and sure to be loved!!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for reading, Terra!
Cindy Moore
What a great list of gifts! I’d love any of these as well.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy! I am putting some of them on my list this year!
Tiffany
I love all of these! Especially the cratejoys and massages ?
Jill DeMasi
Those are my favorites too! 🙂
Cindy
What a great list! Metal health is so important and what a great way to show how much someone means to you!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Cindy!
Marianne
Those are some great gift suggestions. A massage would be a welcome gift to most people!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Marianne. I agree that the massage is always the favorite!
Sabrina DeWalt
These are wonderful gift ideas.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Sabrina!
Barbara
These are all great ideas! Mental Health awareness is imperative!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Barbara! Yes, especially these days we all need a break!
Melissa Jones
What great gift ideas!
Jill DeMasi
Thanks, Melissa! Appreciate you reading the post 🙂
Alexis Farmer
I used to go to Planet Fitness but stopped with the pandemic. I LOVE doing YouTube workouts. I can look raggedy in my pjs and who cares ?
Jill DeMasi
Haha. Yes, I totally agree with wearing pjs any time of the day!
Tiffany
I love doing yoga at home. I’m not lumber at all and I hate feeling inadequate at a studio
Jill DeMasi
It is nice to not have to worry about what anyone around you thinks or is doing!
Cecile Leger
I love working out at home as well. Sometimes my teenage sons will even join me, and I gain a least an hour just by driving back and forth from the gym.
Jill DeMasi
I love not having to get in my car and use up gas!
Sabrina
I love working out at home. No stress in trying to keep up. I can exercise at my own pace doing workouts I love. I am currently using a fitness app that meets all of my needs.
Jill DeMasi
Good for you! I do love working at my own pace too and usually have to modify the workouts.
Jordan
Virtual fitness is such a good option these days with COVID still being around. I usually gravitate toward virtual yoga classes, but think I’ll try one of your strength training options above. Thanks!
Jill DeMasi
Awesome! There are so many to choose from. Have fun!
Chelsea
I love the convenience of working out at home. It’s more efficient when I don’t have to add drive time to my workout.
Jill DeMasi
I feel like we drive the kids around enough so it’s nice to take one thing away!
Barbara
This is a choice that I have never considered! I typically use my elliptical at home or enjoy long walks outdoors once the snow goes away!
Jill DeMasi
That’s awesome that you have an elliptical! When it’s snowy, I put on virtual walking on YouTube and just walk around my living room. You can go anywhere on earth but I usually choose the beach videos!
Alice
I never thought of this. Thanks for the idea. I did do virtual physical therapy after my knee surgery a couple of times before my insurance ran out. I was worried about doing it but it worked out great.
Jill DeMasi
You may just fall in love with it too. 🙂
Melissa Jones
What great tips! I keep trying to find a local yoga class that fits around my work and family schedule and it has been challenging. Virtual is definitely something I need to look into! Thanks for the info!
Jill DeMasi
Your welcome, Melissa! There are so many options for Yoga online!
Sabrina DeWalt
I find working out at home to be so much more convenient than having to go somewhere.
Jill DeMasi
Convenience is a plus for sure!
Carolyn
It’s so nice to be able to throw my hair up in a messy ponytail and get to it, without worrying about making myself look presentable. I end up saving so much time, not just in getting ready for the gym, but also in driving to and from.
Jill DeMasi
Yes, it definitely is a time saver which I love too!
Cindy Moore
These are excellent reasons for doing virtual fitness training! So convenient.
Jill DeMasi
I love anything that makes life more convenient!
Danielle
I do love the convenience of working out at home! It’s the best option for my busy schedule.
Jill DeMasi
Love this option especially when you are busy!
Julia
As a Certified Hypnotist, I agree with adding hypnosis to your self-care plan. Every client I work with learns self-hypnosis at the end of their first session and I give them homework to do self-hypnosis at least once a day.
Jill DeMasi
I agree it is a very valuable tool for self-care. Thanks for reading!
Ems Training
Love this post! As a personal trainer, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of virtual fitness training. It’s so convenient and flexible, and it allows clients to work out from the comfort of their own homes. Plus, it’s a great way to stay motivated and accountable. Definitely sharing this with my clients!