Why your Soul Benefits from a Good Workout Too

            There’s this man in our local community that seems to have a different aura about him. Whenever you’re around him, the world seems to slow down a little bit and his smile is strikingly contagious. He is a genuinely happy and content person who is also a full-time employee, a caring husband, father of well behaved children. He regularly exercises at the gym and volunteers twice a week at his local church. It’s not that this amount of busy is abnormal in our modern rushed society, but maintaining his level of joy and positivity is. He somehow makes stress melt away and disheartened circumstances seem less daunting as you engage in conversation with him. We all have our own interests and responsibilities in life and can find ourselves in a place of putting soulful nourishment on the back burner. We miss out on the little things nature offers, food is gulped and not thoughtfully enjoyed, we don’t make time for anyone (even ourselves), and our minds stay trapped in the past with regret, or ahead, in the future worrying. How can you become completely satisfied in the moment and carry a state of joy that will impact yourself and those around you? It all stems around what is called self-care.

 In this fast-paced world, sometimes we must stop, slow down, and take a deep meaningful breath. Now I know what you are thinking... “I have too many responsibilities, not enough time, and you’re asking me to slow down?” Someone who practices self care is a person who practices living in each moment. This doesn’t mean cancel all your plans and stop everything that you are doing. It means to become mindful of your surroundings in each moment. Here are some tips and ideas to help you practice self-care:

• Take a deep breath as often as you think to do so.
• Look for the best in any situation.
• Smell the flowers.
• Taste the spices in your food.
• Notice the brilliance of each star.
• Appreciate the people around you.

Many of us have hobbies or interests that feed our soul. Good self care involves making time for those things. Do you love to read? Make time for reading a good book. Do you love the outdoors? Plan free-time activities that put you where you are revived the most, outside. Do you enjoy being creative? Paint a picture or color in a book.  No two people will share all of the exact same energizing hobbies. We are all individuals. Having different friends and companions in these areas, energizing ourselves and having hobbies is a good thing. 

 Be mindful of your life and remind yourself that even those who have their lives all buttoned up and beautiful have struggles and challenges just like you. You can be the best version of yourself building a foundation of self assurance, confidence, and the ability to meet others where they are. If we all take steps towards wholeness, including self care, we will be confident and of great value to those around us and always live our best life!

            Follow your heart, even if your friends are pursuing other interests. It’s OK. Doing something soulful allows you to find deep contentment which means you can be a better person after taking care of yourself first.