Mindful Movement – Be Grounded In Grace

Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated.

I used to think self-care meant something big, flashy or time consuming – think getting nails done, shopping trip, or fancy baths complete with candles, a book and a favorite beverage (not that there is anything wrong with those wonderful activities).

But sometimes, you just don’t have time for those things, or that’s not really what your body NEEDS!

It became abundantly clear to me, when I found myself running on empty, that self-care can be so simple. It is taking time to care for my mind and body. My health is important. And the time I take to invest in me, produces a better version of myself, so I can invest more in those I love.

Self-care is an INVESTMENT in ME and I am WORTH IT!!

Here are a few SIMPLE self-care tips. Nothing groundbreaking, but they’re good reminders nonetheless. Because let’s face it, we stay so busy and put others first, so even the basics slip our mind!

Here are 3 things to focus on THIS WEEK!

Get more Sleep!

I know, shocking right?! But it’s so easy for our to-do list to keep us up late at night! Making that choice to go to bed and giving yourself the time to get a full night’s sleep (or as close as possible), allows your body to reset and recharge. This leaves you in a better mental and physical state to take on the world the next day! This is something I struggle with; I am working on it because I have seen the difference it makes in my next day.

2. Get Movement into your day!

Your body was created to MOVE, it craves it! Movement doesn’t have to be sweat dripping, heart pounding cardio. It can be as simple as stretching, walking, yoga or my favorite Pilates 😊. Movement boosts your energy, mood, and your health. It’s a simple win!

3. Give yourself Space!

You need space. And what I mean by that is you need a little time to yourself. I know it can be hard to do, especially if you have little ones at home, but you CAN create it. Waking up a few minutes earlier or asking a spouse/loved one to help watch the kids for even a few minutes, can give you the metal mindset shift you need. With that time, do what fills your cup – read, journal, pray, get in some movement, heck sit in *silence*; whatever your body needs. Not sure? Sit and mediate, the answer will come to you.

I hope you found this a good reminder of the value of pouring into yourself. You are in charge of your health, make it a priority!

What are your thoughts of self-care? What do you enjoy doing to pour into yourself? Where do you struggle? I would love to hear from you! Comment below or reach out on social media!

With Grace,

Walking. Basic, yet oh so beneficial.

I think since we’ve been strolling around for as long as we can remember, we don’t give walking the credit it deserves.

For starters- IT’S FREE and easy to fit in during your day, no matter your schedule.

The health benefits of walking are numerous, here are a handful of my favorites:

Burn calories– which can help you lose or maintain weight. Obviously calorie burn is dependent on how long you walked (distance covered), how fast you were going and the terrain (flat, hills). Even a short but brisk walk does the body good!
Easy on the joints– as we age we look for lower impact exercises to maintain joint health. Walking can also help ease joint pain you may already have by strengthening surrounding muscles to support the joint better, and it may also help to lubricate the joints.
Give your mood a lift– Exercise in general makes your feel good, right? Well walking is no exception! You get increased levels of serotonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones are known to reduce anxiety, depression and stress – leaving you feeling happier and more relaxed.
Boost your energy– Walking may be even more effective at “waking you up” than a caffeine fix! Increased oxygen flow plus those same hormones that make you feel happy also make you feel more awake and alert. Bonus points if you get some sunshine on your face :)!
Increase your immune system– Did you know that walking can help you fight off illness? That’s because regular exercise increases the amount of white blood cells circulating in your blood. Studies have shown people that exercise regularly get sick less often, and if they do get sick they recover more quickly.
Help maintain or prevent chronic health issues– taking regular walks has a positive impact on lowering blood sugar and cardiovascular health. To get the most benefit on strengthening the heart aim for several longer (30 minutes or more) per week.
Helps digestion– overate at dinner? Walk it out. Being upright and moving aids in the digestive process. Less pressure on the stomach leads to less indigestion, and walking helps keeps the bowels moving. Not to mention a little after meal calorie burn never hurt anyone.

Do it with someone – bring the family, meet up with a friend. Walking is a great exercise to do in community. You can spend some quality time with loved ones, plus do something good for your health. That’s a win-win in my book!

We take frequent family walks, it is a great opportunity to share what’s going on in our lives and spend quality time. Justin and I often take kid-free walks as part of “date night”, sometimes that’s hiking at a favorite park, but sometimes it as simple as walking around the neighborhood. We have even done walks as part of “date mornings” where we grab a special coffee and walk on our local bike trail to start the day!

Do it by yourself – and get a nice mental break from the chaos. It gives you a chance to clear your head, decompress and maybe get some creative juices flowing.

I feel like my solo walks are when I do some of my best and clearest thinking, plus I get a chance to reflect.

It always leaves me feeling refreshed, grounded, and better than when I started! So what are you waiting for…grab a pair of walking shoes and get moving!

with Grace,