Are You Caring For Your Whole Self?

Much of our modern world is focused on the digital, intellectual, and informational, but we are fundamentally physical beings with physical bodies. This fact has a lot of implications, but let's talk about two of the big ones.

First, when it comes to self-care and your health—are you taking care of your body, physically? Sometimes you don't need to journal any more, or read any more, or analyze any more (though all three can be very important). Sometimes you just need to go on a long walk or run, or get a good workout in. Sometimes you need a shower or more sleep, or to cut back on caffeine for a bit.

Second, connecting with people in person has a whole different quality to it than connecting virtually. Both are valuable, of course; but don't make the mistake of thinking they're the exact same thing. Zoom calls can't give you hugs. Singing along with a video at home is worlds away from the experience of singing in a choir on a stage. Going to an event in-person is very different from attending a virtual webinar.

So take this as a brief reminder to "get out of the building" and go stick your feet in the water of the greater physical world, and ignore the screens for a bit. Maybe that means going to an animal sanctuary this weekend rather than looking at social media images of animals. Maybe it means a coffee chat with a friend rather than a phone call, or prioritizing exercise this weekend, or getting enough sleep.

However you do it, remember to take care of yourself physically and engage with the world physically, as well as all of the other ways.