It seems like every week and every month we're exposed to (bombarded with?)a new Awareness Campaigns. The internet has connected and educated us with ever-increasing speed and depth. Because of awareness campaigns we know more about brain injury, the need for clean water domestically and throughout the world, the importance of net neutrality, and how to support people with cancer. We can take action and be a part of causes that we care about. (Not to mention- follow along as loved ones struggle with life threatening illnesses in the hospital)
It can all be so overwhelming. It can be tough to choose what causes to support and in that deluge of need, we may choose to support nothing. Or we burn ourselves out supporting everything. Neither of those outcomes is desirable. So how do we balance self-preservation with the desire to be good and helpful in our communities and beyond? I make this decision based on a two level consideration of awareness, considering your body first, so you can be more useful to the rest of the world second. Be aware of your body Where you hold tension or feel pain in your body.If you always have a dull headache, or your knee hurts, or you don't sleep well, that's a problem. You cannot be at your best at work, with your family and friends, or in your community. Take a moment to assess how you feel, maybe keep some notes in your calendar for a few days, and see if there are any nagging issues slowing you down. Be aware of ways to improve how you feelWhen you isolate an issue, think about how you fix it and who can help you do that. Wellness doesn't have to be an expensive, time-gobbling production. Maybe a few minutes of guided meditation at night could help you sleep better or a massage and some stretching (https://squareup.com/appointments/book/9QMRYTPVPS4YX/natural-therapeutics-e-town-ky) could improve the headaches. When you feel better, you're more able to contribute to bigger causes. Choose your cause in the bigger worldWhat cause moves you? For some, being a Den Mother or Little League coach is really important. For others, giving to a more global cause is key. There is no right or wrong, it's just a personal decision. It's great to be creative here, too. Your priority may be to help a niece afford college or regularly help your best friend the kindergarten teacher prep for wacky arts and crafts with her 30 students. Or maybe you feel your best contribution comes from being really great at your job and having time just for your friends and family. Causes needn't be big organizations or structured to make a difference. Heck, my husband's contribution right now is making wooden figures for our children's program at church. Don't overwhelm yourself or your budget! Make your actions match your prioritiesIf you decide that giving to a global clean water initiative or coaching a team is the most important cause to you, your actions should reflect that. This step involves a mental audit of your time and money. Maybe a cheaper gym membership will leave you with enough money to cover your niece's books, or 'catching up' on fewer tv shows each weekend will clear the schedule for time with friends. Full, happy lives come from conscious decisions about where we focus our time and efforts. It's easy to get swept into the overwhelm and find yourself spread too thin, feeling like nothing you do makes an impact. A few minutes of awareness could make big improvements in your everyday life and happiness. Celebrate Sleep Awareness Week
Sometimes getting a full night’s sleep seems impossible to achieve. No matter the cause - stress, pain, your work schedule or another reason - if you are not receiving regular quality sleep it can interfere with your health. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says, “Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions - such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression - which threaten our nation’s health.” Sleep Awareness Week (March 6-13) gives us an opportunity to leave insufficient sleep behind and get back to the quality sleep that is so vital to our health and wellness. Here are a few ways you can start getting on track to better sleep habits. Say adios to technology - well before bedtime. Smartphones are everywhere and it’s not uncommon to find them creeping into your bedroom. Turn them off. Better than that. Turn them off and keep them in another room. Nix the TV, table, laptop and whatever else has found its way into your resting space. Break the habit and allow yourself to relax on a deep level. Establish a routine that is calming and relaxing. Humans are habitual creatures. How you wrap up your day can greatly impact the quality of sleep you receive. Finish the day with warm bath or shower, a cup of tea, cool the temperature in your room, and shut out the lights. Establishing a routine can triggers a natural response that tells the body, “it’s time for bed.” Massage. Massage. Massage. There I said it. Massage is HUGE when it comes to improving your sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found massage to be beneficial for insomnia-related stress, as well as:
Massage can not only increase relaxation and lower your fatigue, but it can reduce pain and improve your quality of sleep. Which can also help restore your sleep pattern. Our need for sleep has dramatically increased with the more technology available and the busier our schedules get. Massage is a great way to fulfill that need. In effort to celebrate Sleep Awareness Week, schedule a massage here: squareup.com/appointments/book/9QMRYTPVPS4YX/natural-therapeutics-e-town-kyhttps://squareup.com/appointments/book/9QMRYTPVPS4YX/natural-therapeutics-e-town-ky and be on your way to a better night’s sleep. |
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Ashley sheehan, lmt, ownerI don't at all have it together- but I KNOW muscles and want the best for you. I hope these posts are educational and help you get to know me a little more. If you have requests, send them my way! Archives
August 2020
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