How are you?
How are you really?
Have you taken a sec to attune to yourself yet today?
Take a deep breath, close your eyes if you’re comfortable, and check in with your thoughts, emotions and physical body: Where do you feel tension, sensation, heaviness, lightness? Are your thoughts calm or racing? What emotions are you sensing right now? How activated is your nervous system?
Give yourself a number from 0-10 (0 = totally calm, settled and present / 10 = totally activated, in fight or flight).
Likely you fall somewhere in between. (I’m at a 4-5 in this moment.)
Self-attunement is so important to mental and emotional wellness. It means recognizing and harmonizing with ourselves, as we are.
Once we make an assessment, we can decide if we want to use our breath or some other tool to settle ourselves to a more neutral place.
Later today I’m teaching a virtual workshop for a corporate client in Ohio called 3 Ways to Foster Your Mental and Emotional Wellness….
Spoiler alert! SELF-ATTUNEMENT is #1
Since this topic is very top of mind for me right now, I thought I’d share a few more key takeaways from the workshop in case you are also looking to foster your mental wellness right now…
- Mental Wellness is the ongoing, forever process of moving from languishing to resilience to flourishing. I don’t know about you, but I can experience the shift form languishing to flourishing in a single day! (Google these terms if you want to dig in even more to what this looks like in your life.)
- A key aspect of mental/emotional self-care is acknowledging, feeling, and expressing (that’s the hard part!) our true feelings, needs and boundaries.
Which brings me to Mental/Emotional Wellness Pillar #2: BOUNDARIES
Yep, boundaries are foundational to wellbeing. Boundaries can be rigid, porous or flexible, and there is a time and place for all three. But generally speaking we want to cultivate flexible/healthy boundaries — i.e., boundaries that are both protective and connected…
And a big part of this is how we communicate them.
There’s so much more I could say on boundaries!!! I’m so passionate about this topic because for so long I really struggled with it (and I still do at times).
[Side note: If you’re working on boundaries, I have a Free Masterclass coming up on February 17th all about How to Develop Embodied Boundaries & Communicate Your Needs in Work and Love (because boundaries and needs are two sides of the same coin). I’m still finalizing the marketing materials, so stay tuned for the sign up link in a week or two.]
Ok, moving on….
Mental/Emotional Wellness Pillar #3 that I teach in the workshop is CONNECTION.
I made the mistake for a long time of overly focusing on self-reliance and inner resilience, without tapping into my support systems (this is a trauma-response that many people have).
But truth be told, strengthening relationships and deepening connection is perhaps the most important component of mental and emotional wellness. Especially right now, as feelings or isolation and loneliness are high for so many.
And guess what, these three pillars are all connected, like a tripod, they hold each-other up:
Self-attunement fuels realtime recognition of embodied boundaries (and feelings and needs) fuels deeper more connected and supportive relationships.
If this all sparks something in you, here are a few resources that will support you:
Working on self-attunement?
Enroll in my free embody self-care challenge here >>
Working on boundaries?
Grab my FREE Boundary Mapping Masterclass >>
Purchase my Time Boundaries Workshop for just $7 >>
I’m noticing that writing this actually brought me a bit closer to neutral (writing usually does this for me). As I re-attune to myself I’m noticing that now I’m at a 2-3. How about you?
Here’s to supporting each other on the ongoing journey from languishing to flourishing,
Allie
P.S. Are you an HR professional or employer and interested in booking 3 Ways to Foster Your Mental & Emotional Wellness for your team? Simply email me at allie@ombodyhealth.com (or hit reply) and I will provide all the details for this and other workshops I offer.
P.P.S. I’m reading The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams. So many good reminders in there. Here’s a quote about the importance of remembering our shared humanity and interconnectedness:
“When we recognize others’ suffering and realize that we are not alone, our pain is lessened…This recognition that we are all connected is the birth of empathy and compassion.”
– Dalai Lama
P.P.P.S. Journaling prompts to revisit often:
- What gives me life?
- What brings me joy?
- How can I live and work in a way that is more regenerative (life and joy-giving) for me and the planet?
About the Author: Allie Andrews
With a decade of experience in the wellness and coaching industry, Allie has partnered with over 65 companies and helped hundreds of achievers and workaholics find a pace and rhythm to living that feels sustainable and nourishing.
As a coach, Allie helps her clients grow their impact while prioritizing their health, deepening their relationships, and following their joy.
Allie is a lifelong student of personal growth, Somatica trained intimacy and relationship coach, certified holistic health coach, and yoga teacher.
Instagram: @iamallieandrews // Facebook: Allie Andrews Coaching // LinkedIn