• Self-Care Resources

     

    Progressive Muscle Relaxation

     

    A simple and easy way to release tension and relax. 

     

    Listen to this video to learn the practice of progressive muscle relaxation

     

    https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-practice-progressive-muscle-relaxation-3024400

     

    https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2225

     

    http://www.guidetopsychology.com/pmr.htm

     

    Breathing Exercises for Relaxation

     

    Watch: Dr. Andrew Weil teach the 4-7-8 breathing technique to reduce stress

     

    https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reduce-stress-with-breathing-exercises-3144508

     

    https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2255

     

    https://www.headspace.com/meditation/breathing-exercises

     

    Learn about Mindfulness

     

    Watch: Jon Kabat-Zin, who developed the mindfulness based stress reduction program (MBSR), and started the wave of mindfullness reseach in the 1970s.

     

    UMass Center for Mindfulness

     

    UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center

     

    Learn the Body Scan

     

    Go to this link to learn the body scan with Jon Kabat-Zin

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4gZgnCy5ew

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15q-N-_kkrU

     

    How to Start a Gratitude Journal

     

    We are learning more about the positive effects of gratitude, such as its ability to reduce stress and increase overall wellbeing, from the promising new research that is being published. 

    Here is how you can get started

     

    Learn about Brother David, survivor of the Nazi occupation, whose mission is to teach about the power of being grateful.

     

    Watch: A Good Day, with Brother David to learn about the importance of being grateful.

     

    Watch: Brother David on Ted Talks about gratefullness and the human desire to be happy.

     

    Take Your Shoes Off (aka Earthing)

     

    Grounding to the Earth’s electrical energy can have healing benefits. Scientific research over more than a decade indicates that your body can be protected and helped—and that you feel better—when you electrically reconnect to the Earth. That is, when you are grounded. 

     

    When you are electrically grounded, you feel:

    • Centered
    • Solid
    • Strong
    • Balanced
    • Less tense
    • Less stressed

     

    Read more about this fascinating research on The Chopra Center  

     

    Move Your Body

    Whether it is going for a walk, dancing in your home, or learning the ancient practice of yoga, we know that moving our bodies improves our mental health and overall well-being.

     

    Huffpost article: 9 Great Yoga YouTube channels

     

    Watch: Qigong practice 

     

    Get Outside

     

    There is quite a bit of research to support the health benefits of being in nature and physical activity but many of us know this intuitively. 

     

    Cornell reported that as little as 10 minutes a day in nature helps students elvate their moods and feel less stressed out. Read more here.

     

    Nature Improves Psychological Well-Being (from Positive Psychology)

     

    • Recent investigations revealed that being outdoor reduces stress by lowering the stress hormone cortisol. Besides that, it also makes us immune to allied problems like hypertension and tachycardia (Lee J, 2011).

     

    • Nature walks and other outdoor activities build attention and focus (Hartig, 1991). There are pieces of evidence that indicate strong environmental connections to be related to better performance, heightened concentration, and reduced chances of developing Attention Deficit Disorder.

     

    • A study at the University of Kansas found that spending more time outdoors and less time with our electronic devices can increase our problem-solving skills and improve creative abilities.

     

     

    Make Art!

     

    Get creative with watercolor, play with clay or pastels. Being creative helps us get into the present moment and relax. 

     

    How to relieve stress with art therapy  

     

    Listen to Calming Music

     

    These days we have access to thousands of songs, so find music that helps you relax. Play music in your home to create a calm atmosphere, or before you go to sleep. 

     

    Laugh!

     

    Watch comedies on TV. Humor is a powerful way to reduce stress and improve our mood.

     

    Learn about Self-Compassion

     

    Self Compassion, according to Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion researcher, has three main elements:

     

    • Self-kindness or having the ability to refrain from harsh criticism.
    • The ability to recognize your own humanity or the fact that each of us is imperfect and each of us experiences pain.
    • The ability to maintain a sense of mindfulness or non-biased awareness of experiences, even if they are painful.

     

    Access Dr. Neff's guided meditations and exercises to learn more.

     

    5 Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life 

     

    https://www.verywellmind.com/self-care-strategies-overall-stress-reduction-3144729

     

    Keys to Well-Being

     

    UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center

    Self Management Advice