Is It Time for a Check-Up?

How often do you check in with yourself to see how you’re doing? It’s so easy to get caught up in the flurry of daily life, to get trapped in mental thought loops and to-do lists. This week I’ve put together a simple checklist to help you take a few minutes and give yourself a quick wellbeing check-up.

4-Step Daily Wellness Check-Up

1. Body/Physical

Check in with your body. Take a deep breath and exhale. Notice where your body is in space. Are you sitting? Standing? Where is your body touching a surface? Are you comfortable? Any aches and pains? Are you relaxed? Tense?

2. Mind/Mental

Check in with your mind. What’s going on in your head? What are you thinking about? Are you able to concentrate or are you distracted?

3. Heart/Emotional

Check in with your heart. How are you feeling? Are you happy? Sad? Content? Angry? Do you notice a connection between your body and your feelings? Where do you feel happy/sad/angry/ etc. in your body?

4. Spirit

Check in with your spirit. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs or religious affiliation, connecting to something greater than ourselves is an important key to our wellbeing. Are you in touch with your inner voice? Are you taking time to get quiet and listen? To connect to the larger universe or a higher power?

Put It Into Practice

You can simply think through this exercise, but you may find that using these four categories as a journaling tool can be an insightful way to focus on your wellbeing. List each category and then write a few sentences, or even just bullet points or keywords that describe each area for you.

Review what you’ve written and notice where you may need some attention and recalibrating. Then, brainstorm a few ways to help you regain your equilibrium. For example, if you’re feeling anxious and it’s hard to get settled physically, you may find it helpful to do something that brings you back to your body. Ideas include taking a few deep, slow breaths; getting outside for a few minutes, maybe going for a walk or doing some light gardening; and other activities that help to focus on your physical body and surroundings.

Try doing this exercise for 5–10 minutes each day for one week. Or, you may even want to check in with yourself a couple of times a day, especially if you’re going through a difficult or stressful time. See if you notice any changes in your self-awareness.

Be well and take care of yourself—you deserve it!

Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash