This February doesn’t have to be all about sappy cards, overpriced flowers or another excuse to eat candy. This Valentine’s Day, show yourself some love.
If you’re like most people, you tend to put others’ needs ahead of your own and don’t pause to attend to your own. You may feel you don’t have the time to relax or deal with a nagging health challenge.
Have you noticed when you dismiss or avoid the signs and signals from your body or mind that call for your attention, they tend to get louder?
Think of “symptoms” whether emotional or physical, as a message from your system that something needs to be understood and addressed.
You may feel frustrated, angry, resentful or worried. You may see these signals as an inconvenience or think, “if I ignore it, it will go away.” But does that really address what’s going on? Probably not. You may see these messages as flaws, or “evidence” that there is something wrong with you. (There is nothing wrong with you.)
Your system has infinite wisdom. Trust in your body and mind. Those messages are communication about something important going on inside. Take the time to be more self-compassionate, kind and loving toward yourself. We don’t punish, stress or judge ourselves to wellness.
You deserve the same attention and empathy you would offer a friend or young child. Support yourself with love, openness, and curiosity. Say nurturing, loving and kind words to yourself to support your own healing. Your body is listening to you and will respond accordingly, whether you are harsh and rejecting or compassionate and accepting.
If you would like more guidance on how to understand and manage difficult physical and emotional symptoms, contact us for an appointment. Our groups and workshops in Integrative Mind-Body Health include strategies for mindfulness and self-compassion. They also address the whole person, mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
Call 201-488-6678 for more information, or click here.
Written by Anna Sandbank, LCSW, Director of Integrative Mind-Body Health
