This May, we're focusing on the important concept of owning your health and healing. This applies not just to physical health but also to our emotional and mental well-being (everything we worked with last month)! Taking care of our physical health is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life.

Understanding our bodies

A crucial first step to owning your health is understanding yourself and how you check out and excuse your behaviors. Emotions are natural signals our body sends us. They can be positive (happiness, excitement) or negative (sadness, anger, fear).

• Pay attention to your body. How do you feel throughout the day? When do you experience strong bursts of energy or not? What situations trigger these feelings?

• Accept your habits and then ignite your willingness to change. It's okay to feel happy, sad, angry, or scared. These are all normal human emotions. Trying to suppress them can actually make things worse.

• Label your emotions. Sometimes, just putting a name to what you're feeling can be incredibly helpful. "I'm feeling overwhelmed" or "I'm frustrated right now" can be a good starting point for changing old habits.

Building Healthy Habits

Once you have a better understanding of your emotions, you can start building healthy habits to support your emotional well-being. Here are some tips:

• Practice self-care from the inside out. This means taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Indeed, yoga, meditation, and organic foods are ways to care for yourself; they are not self-care practices.  That’s the hard work we do from the inside out.  Of course, you want to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly; and most importantly, how are you taking care of yourself in the way you talk to yourself.  Are you in charge of your tender heart instead of allowing your inner bully to run wild?

• Commit to healthy coping habits. We all have ways of dealing with stress. Some healthy coping mechanisms include exercise, spending time in nature, talking to a friend, or listening to music. Find what works for you and avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms like excusing your unhealthy relationship with alcohol or isolation.

• Set boundaries. It's important to set boundaries with yourself and others. This means learning to say no to things that will drain your energy and setting limits on how much time you spend with certain people or in certain situations.

• Connect with others. Strong social connections are essential for emotional health. Spend time with loved ones, join a club or group activity, or volunteer in your community. If you are a woman, you can join my Wednesday weekly coaching program, OWN YOUR BRILLIANCE.

• Learn to relax. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your emotional well-being. Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.

Taking Charge of Your Health & Healing

Healing is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and effort, and there may be setbacks along the way. However, by taking charge of your physical health, you're taking a powerful step toward a happier and healthier you.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• Be patient. Healing doesn't happen overnight. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.

• Ask for help. It's important to have people to talk to, and a therapist can be a great resource so you don't have to go through things alone. I'm here to listen anytime you need support.  I have a solid team of professionals to guide you in your healing.  Permit yourself to ask for help. 

• You are not alone. Millions of people struggle with not liking their physical health and/or bodies.  And you can do something about it at all stages of life.

Remember, owning your health and healing is an empowering act. By caring for yourself, you invest in a happier and brighter YOU.