June/July 2024 Aspire Magazine FULL Issue | Page 68

It doesn ’ t matter where you walk . You can walk outdoors in nature ; take your dog for a walk ( they ’ ll love you for it , and if you don ’ t have one you can borrow a neighbor ’ s or walk dogs at your local shelter ). If the weather isn ’ t conducive many shopping malls are open before the stores for people to come in and walk . Often people go for coffee after in the food courts . After a few times , you will start to recognize some of the other walkers and perhaps even make friends .

One of my favorite self-care rituals is something we do daily , although we rarely take time to savor it . It ’ s either a bath or a shower .

For true self-care , turn your bathing into a ritual with soothing music , candles , a nice bath bomb , or salts ( they make ones for showers ). Spend extra time relaxing . After bathing take the time to slather your body with your favorite moisturizer . Don ’ t forget to drink plenty of water and hydrate yourself from the inside too .

When we work on our emotional health it can improve our physical health and vice versa . One of my favorite self-care practices for my emotional self is gratitude . Each day , and most nights , I grab a journal ( it can also be done on a computer in a Word file ) and write down 3-5 things , people , events , or specific things I am grateful for that day .

I try to write different things each day and specifically what about them I ’ m grateful for . Some days all I ’ ve written was , “ I am grateful for air to breathe and a bed to sleep in .” That ’ s perfectly alright . The more you are grateful for , the more you ’ ll be grateful for . This practice helps our mind focus on the positives .

It ’ s also great for your skin .