Reflections & small actions to [re]connect
Sometimes Wellness trends can feel a bit trivial, especially when we’re confronted with so much suffering every day. At the same time, it feels more important than ever to care for ourselves as best we can so we’re well equipped to care for one another.
Like yoga and movement, or meditation and mindfulness, Wellness is not passive—though I know it can all sometimes be mistaken as such.
Wellness is a collection of conscious, intentional actions taken over time with the aim of supporting ongoing mind-body integration, balance, and [re]connection as life shifts and changes.
Wellness can also feel like a privilege, too, but at its core it’s actually not about fancy products or complicated protocols.
Wellness = customizable tools, rituals, and practices (many rooted in time-tested methods) that help us feel physically steady, mentally clear, and emotionally capable.
When I’m consistently taking care of myself, even in small ways, even when I’m not feeling 100% every day (life and sleep don’t always go as planned), I feel grounded and better able to show up for students, clients, and my immediate community.
So for what it’s worth, I hope you’re taking care of yourself and practicing Wellness in the ways that are most supportive for you, because we need each other!
And while so much of our information streams through screens and media, it’s worth remembering how impactful it is to stay aware of how we show up off-screen: who we are, how we act, what we value, how we connect to and treat others in everyday life…
Small acts done with presence, care, and intention can create really meaningful ripple effects in our immediate lives and beyond. All it requires is the desire to [re]connect to what’s important via the tools and practices that work for you, and act accordingly.
Reflections to consider for [re]connection
- How can I take care of myself today, and how will that action or practice equip me to care for others?
- How can I practice compassion today—for myself, a family member, a colleague, nature, and/or a wider community?
- What do I value, and how can I live that through my actions, big or small?
- What is one small action I can do today with care and attention?
- How can I connect to myself and others today and find any common ground, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye?
Connection doesn’t always come easily, whether toward ourselves or others. But I do think it’s worth exploring if we are interested in cultivating more understanding and unity—however challenging that may seem.
Ways to [re]connect & feel empowered
- Go outside. Notice a tree; look at the sky. Get fresh air. Let nature soothe, inspire, and energize you – let it remind you of beauty and steadiness in changing seasons.
- Take a deep, conscious breath—maybe several. Flutter your lips and hum. Yelp or grunt. Sing something joyful or a cathartic ballad.
- Move your body. Walk, shake, jump around, flap your arms, dance in the living room, skip down the block, lift something heavy. Cultivate strength and resilience.
- Be still. Meditate or just take a pause. Notice the sounds around you; the rise and fall of the breath; the sensations; the ebb and flow of thoughts. Return to now.
- Eat what nourishes you. Stay grounded and hydrated. Enjoy food without guilt, and also without ignoring what you know helps you feel well and alert.
- Stay informed, not consumed. Step away from media when needed. Talk to a friend about something light or heartfelt. Read or watch something fun.
- Express gratitude. Focus on the good around you. Tell someone you’re grateful for them or their service. Acknowledge what you appreciate—say it out loud, too.
- Do what you can for others in need. Help if and when possible through action, advocacy, service, or generosity. Help a friend or stranger, foster a pet, donate your time. Organizations I appreciate include WCK, ALLMEP, and Oasis.
Free resources
- Free YouTube yoga: A variety of short classes and tutorials for all levels.
*Substack subscribers occasionally get private links to full-length classes 🙂 - Free guided meditations: Various themes and lengths (donations welcome).
- Free Mindful Morning ebook: 20+ pages of morning ritual ideas and resources.
- Free Mindset guide: Tools for navigating inner and outer twists and turns.
- Dan Harris on Substack: Practical mindfulness tools and insights for equanimity.
Onward
Carrie Owerko recently wrote this in reference to a movement practice. I think it eloquently captures how the practice of navigating and caring for the body can also teach us about communication, connection, relationship, and play:
It is interesting to approach practice as a conversation. And in order to have a conversation we must enter into some sort of relationship. A meaningful relationship is not some problem to be solved. It is a place where conversations happen.
And we all know how deeply satisfying a good conversation can be. Communication is an opportunity to commune. And it might be less about what we say and more about the environment we create, and the space and patience we give ourselves and each other. Through listening, answering, misunderstanding and adjusting, we find a kind of understanding and connection.
Within “the plan” of practice there is always an opportunity for conversation. Within the repetition, there is a place for exploration. I call that the space of play. That, to me, is where discovery happens.
Most importantly we keep showing up. For the relationship. For the conversation. For the PLAY!
Message me with questions or if you’re seeking extra support—limited coaching spots are available for those wanting to dig deeper and explore a more integrated, personalized, sustainable approach to Wellness and how it can support you.
Take care,
S
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