Self-care can often feel like a soft term, especially for those of us in high-performance or competitive environments. But what it really means is to be present and respond effectively with the strategies we know are helpful in bringing us back into a state of dynamic balance. Here are a few strategies from Tiffany Grimm, director of recovery at EXOS. Which one will you try?
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Stay hydrated. When you don’t drink enough water it messes with the serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which can increase depression and anxiety.
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Ground yourself in nature. It’s been scientifically proven that putting your bare feet on the earth transfers surface electrons from the earth into the body, which helps settle the nervous system, create better blood flow, and induce a parasympathetic response.
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Move your body freely. Choose a type of exercise that makes you feel good and work it out for a somatic release — where you can move and channel emotion by opening the body, sweating, and releasing toxic energy.
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When in a state of reactivity, one of the hardest yet most effective techniques is to pause, listen, notice, and breathe through it. There are several parasympathetic-inducing techniques: box breathing, 6-4-10 breathing, or slow, deep breathing for at least 2 minutes.
Tiffany explains Self Care and Strategies
