Dr. Kelly Wilson likes to ask workshop participants, “What kind of critter are you? And what does this kind of critter need?” Caring for your physical self means asking yourself what movement, food, and rest your body needs to best live out your values. These activities directly impact your mental health and how you function across life’s domains.
Today you’re going to explore what it would mean to care for your body as you would care for someone you love. On a busy day physical self-care can be as simple as noticing what your body needs in the moment: you’re thirsty or need to use the restroom. Other days it may mean paying more attention to your need for movement, play, nutritious food, or sleep.
Dr. Rhonda Merwin encourages her clients to care for themselves the way a warm, attuned parent would (Merwin, Zucker, and Wilson 2019). A good parent is neither overly rigid nor overly permissive, but rather has reasonable expectations and boundaries. A good parent cares for you with small things—taking you to the doctor, suggesting you spend time outside, putting you to bed—every day.
Daily Writing: Tending to Your Body
Are there ways you’ve been neglecting your body’s physical needs?
What changes might you consider to take better care of your body?
If you were to tune in and tend to your body like a loving parent would, how would you care for you?
Imagine yourself as a warm, attuned parent with healthy goals and realistic expectations for the day. Imagine parenting yourself as a loving parent today.
Today’s Practice
Find one small thing you can do to care for your body today. What does your body need to thrive? More rest? More movement? More fresh food? Whatever you choose to do, once you’ve done it, notice how it feels to really care for your body in this way.
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