Creating A First Aid Kit For Your Emotions
By BCC Tatiana Kaletsch. Posted on .
As a Health Coach, I enjoy the unending creative ways in which we can make small improvements in our everyday to feel better. In addition, I enjoy reading and learning so that I can brainstorm solutions with my clients in a co-generative atmosphere of true collaboration. The most important point is to not judge ourselves too harshly. Every situation has its dynamics and we can all seek support to move forward with more ease.
Today’s blogpost is derived from a book I recommend highly: The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time by Cheryl Richardson. One of the many unique ideas in her book is to create an emotional first aid kit for yourself for when things go wrong.
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Normally we think of a first aid kit for physical injuries, such as the one you may have in your home or at your place of work. But do you have a first-aid kit in place for those days when everything seems to go wrong? Instead of letting our emotional injuries ruminate, get proactive with these feel-good tips.
Some of Mrs. Richardson’s ideas on how to do this are paraphrased below. By answering the questions, you have a great way of seeing how you are caring for yourself and who/what supports you. Reading the entire book will give you many more fabulous ideas and examples.
To get started, try to answer some of these questions for yourself:
1) Who can I contact if I feel terrible? Who is the person who makes me feel safe and secure? Who gives me perspective when I need it? Where can I express my full emotions without the risk of being judged?
2) Who do I need to avoid? If negative people drain my energy, who are they and how can I minimize my contact to them? Who am I tolerating in my presence, subjected to their criticism, opinions, judgments, and over-dramatizing?
3) What are the things that I do that make me feel strong, relaxed, healthy and balanced? If I’ve had a bad day, what makes me feel good, such as a warm and nourishing soup, a hot bath, a long walk, my favorite pet?
4) Where do I have time and space to express myself fully? If I don’t have it, where can I create it?
5) What habits do I have that are spiritual in nature, such as rituals, religion, gratitude, or prayer?
6) When I feel bad, do I know what will immediately help me feel better if I am alone? Positive thoughts, keeping a journal, deep breathing, connecting to inner values?
7) Where do I have constant cues and reminders to keep healthy and balanced? A special ring from my grandmother that I wear, a ‘pocket angel’ in my coin purse, a special key chain, or positive phrases and words on the fridge door?
8) What negative habits do I have to release such as gossip, ruminating on problems, negative self-talk, disorder?
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Preparing your ‘first aid kit’ is as much about clearing out what bogs you down spiritually and emotionally as it is about incorporating energy boosters in small and big ways, by yourself or with others. Based on your answers, you may already see some little projects ahead to improve and upgrade your emotional environment.
If you like this list, head over to Amazon to purchase the entire book for more inspiration. To get a persoanlized head-start on your wellness program, contact us for your complimentary Discovery Session.
