Some of us grow up learning basic daily self care. They were taught to eat when hungry, stop when satisfied, sleep when tired, wake refreshed and drink water when thirsty. Others not so much, I grew up coping with my circumstance rather than loving and caring for myself. I thought that was normal. When I got Lyme disease it spotlighted how lack of self- care was blocking my recovery.
Now I define self care as living in a way that expresses love and respect for myself and supports my best health. Before consistent daily self care I was 140 lbs overweight exhausted and cranky. My choices were driven by my cravings and desires to block rather than digest uncomfortable feelings and interactions. I burned the candle at both ends. These behaviors had consequences, made my Lyme symptoms worse and slowed my healing.
Ayurveda Teaches Self Care Practices For Health
Now I have embraced Ayurveda as a self care model for health. Ayurveda defines health as,
balanced digestion, healthy well-formed tissues, good waste disposal and a mind, soul and senses full of bliss. Ayurveda teaches you to understand your tendencies, then outlines self-care practices and invites you to follow them to empower your health evolution.
So self care builds health and opportunities for bliss each and every day. Ayurveda makes sense and works for me. I have lost a bunch of weight and kept it off. Nutrient dense food gives my body tools for repair. Spiritual practices support me dealing with ongoing symptoms and health issues. I work with a health care team, but self care is the cornerstone of me feeling my best each day.
Make Daily Self Care A Habit
Self care is built into my daily habits. It takes discipline to put healthy habits in place, but now good habits are my default behaviors. Click this link an example of my self care daily routine. Add awareness to your mornings, your meals and bedtime routine to have them take care of you for your long term health and benefit
Nourish Your Body
Nourish your body with healthy food water and sleep. Whole Organic Local Seasonal nutrient dense foods make up the majority of my diet. I try to give my body what it needs to heal and repair on an ongoing basis. I keep processed inflammatory foods out of my meal plans. Do you prioritize eating whole organic foods and drinking clean water?
We are a big water sack, and every reaction that keeps us alive depends on water. Our body depends on it. Water is also a great way to flush toxins. Water with lemon or tea move hydrate the tissues and support effective function.
Sleep is the body’s time in the repair shop. Don’t waste the gift of sleep. Decompress from each day with a conscious wind down routine. Go to bed early to get good rest so you can live and be in healthy community.
Nourish Your Mind & Spirit
It can be a challenge to maintain friendships and community when you are sick. Studies show that friendships and community nourish your mind and promote wellness and longevity. Being with people you care about doing interesting things distracts you from your problems and makes you feel better. Hang with people who make laugh and feel good about life.
Treat yourself with loving kindness, listen to your brain chatter. Is it loving and supportive? If not shift your internal dialogue to promote your recovery. I think about what I want to say to myself and make note cards to remind me.
Create Space For Healing
Clear out toxins with wise choices in food and personal care, move more, and sweat more
to shepherd toxins out. Add water to flush the kidneys bitter greens to support the liver, and whole high fiber foods and seasonal cleansing are key parts of my toxic build up control practice.
Nowadays most people expect to multitask over the course of each day. Overdoing it will use up resources you need for recovery. Leave space in your day for rest. Then do restful things, nap go for a walk or, read. Skip activities that take up a lot of space and leave you feeling depleted.
Outdoor space with clean air, the smell of trees, the sound of the ocean are therapeutic. Forest Bathing has been studied and shown to support healing. Walking on the beach or in the forest creates solace, connection and ease. Schedule time for you to reconnect with nature in a healthy way.
Daily self care is a key part of my lyme recovery strategy, how about yours?