Try This Neck Stretch

Hey y’all,

While I am an advocate for therapy and believe it is a great resource that should be accessible to everyone for free, I believe that self-reflection is something everyone can, and should, practice regularly. Regardless of whether they’re seeing a professional or not.

Practicing self-reflection is the key to better self-awareness. When you practice self-reflection, you gain better insight into where you are now and what you need to do to reach your goals. It helps you to connect with your emotions and helps you understand what might be triggering you to be stressed or anxious before they start affecting your life in more serious ways.

I’ve listed some ways that will help you practice self-reflection so you can improve yourself, your life, and your relationships.

1. Identify important questions.

The first step toward healthy self-reflection is understanding which questions to ask yourself. Here are a few questions to help get you started and guide your thinking:

• What have your priorities been lately?

• Are you taking care of yourself physically? Mentally?

• What are some of your recurring thoughts?

2. Find a method that works for you.

Journaling is the most common way to practice self-reflection however, did you know there are journaling apps too? Check out some journaling apps here!

Talking with a close friend or therapist can be just as effective while also offering a fresh perspective. You can share your thoughts, ask for feedback, and have someone keep you accountable when it comes to reaching your goals.

Another way is also connecting with nature whether that’s going for a walk, hiking, or being in the great outdoors for some peace and quiet. This can be a great environment for reflecting! Even if you don’t “journal”, you might take a few notes on your phone from your reflection!

3. Practice mindfulness.

Speaking of time spent outside with nature, mindfulness goes hand-in-hand with self-reflection!

In addition to asking yourself questions, you also need to tune in to what you’re feeling and any patterns that have been recurring in your life. Practicing mindfulness can help you improve your self-awareness so you can pick up on your more common triggers and reactions, then reflect on them. Whether it’s sitting in a park or listening to a guided meditation, there are plenty of ways you can practice being mindful. Receiving a massage can be a very meditative experience, so it could be the perfect opportunity to practice some mindfulness during your session. :)

Cheers, Tiana

Movement Snack

Because the neck supports the weight of your head, it’s often at risk of injuries that cause pain and restrict motion. The cause of neck pains range from too many hours hunched over a computer or smartphone, reading in bed to sleeping in the wrong position. Check out this week’s stretch exercise for your neck HERE!