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Taking care: Check in with your body mind and spirit.

NDC_Team
Mayo Clinic
3 6 211

It is so important to take care of ourselves during stressful times like now but it is all too easy to forget to do the basics.  Here’s a reminder: check in with your body, mind, and spirit.

 

Take a moment to check in with your body.  Our body is a wondrous biochemical symphony that is always harmonizing with the here and now.  We can get lost in thoughts, plans, worries, and become drained with fears about tomorrow and regrets about yesterday.  Tapping into how your body is feeling right now, helps unplug from the non-stop preoccupations and plug into the present moment.  Take a deep breath, follow the breath as it comes in and out, notice where your body is tight and stressed, and also welcome the places in your body which are light and clear.  Enjoy a moment to recharge.  Your thoughts will no doubt pull you away – that’s OK, as you remember step back and enjoy a breath.

 

One of the treasures of being a human is that we can kindle our thoughts and feelings to favor our own best interest.  It is not hokey or fake to guide your thoughts to something happy; instead, it is a skillful use of our human capacity to enhance our own well-being.  Positive happy emotions are functional and energizing.  When I am stressed, and I remember, I’ll take a breath and recall something wonderful.  Often it’s the memory of a delightful dance my older daughter and I had at her wedding.  After just a few moments relishing that happy time my thoughts clear and I’m ready to get back to whatever I’m doing from a new more relaxed  and energized place.

 

Be good to your human spirit.  We are social beings.  We don’t need to be physically in a group to tap into the good social spirit.  Reach out by phone to a friend you haven’t spoken to recently.  Text a good message to someone you love.  Look through your pantry and find a few things you can put in a bag and drop at your local food bank.  Respond to someone on EX.  It doesn’t take much to stir our human spirit, and the benefits are tangible.

Michael V. Burke, Ed.D

Program Director and NDC Counselor/ CTTS

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About the Author
The Nicotine Dependence Center at Mayo Clinic has been home to physicians, nurse practitioners, Master’s / PhD level counselors, trained TTS’, and amazing office staff for a total of 30 years, all working together to treat individuals who struggle with tobacco use. Counselors meet with an individual to develop their own personalized plan, discuss coping strategies, and provide ongoing support along the journey towards a tobacco-free life. As part of the process, counselors work with physicians and nurse practitioners to provide nicotine replacements and other medications for smoking cessation as needed. We are happy to be involved with the EX Community and we hope our experiences and expertise can help in your journey towards a tobacco-free life. View the link in our signature to see our individual Biographies.