By Sarah Paton, ND
Dr. Sarah Paton, NDIf you had a friend in need, you’d reach out to see how you could help. In the same vein you can start to practice having loving presence for yourself.
Once or twice a day, pause and ask yourself: What do I need right now? Not what you should be doing next, and not what someone else needs from you—just a quiet check-in to hear how you feel in your own body and mind.
This question creates a small space where you can respond to your needs, rather than just react to the emergencies of your day.
Very often, the answer is simple: a glass of water, a real meal with protein, a few minutes to sit down, a stretch, or a brief moment of connection with others are just what’s needed.
These small acts of nourishment help stabilize your energy and blood sugar, which in turn supports a steadier mood and clearer thinking.
Over time, these check-ins build a sense of trust with yourself that you are not just driving yourself ever harder to get everything done, but that you care about how the moment by moment journey feels. Give yourself the gift of your attention and see how your heart and mind respond.
Dr. Sarah Paton, a licensed naturopathic physician, specializes in natural, integrative medicine at drsarahpaton.com.
Disclaimer: Self Care posts are shared for information purposes only, and are never intended as individual medical advice nor as a substitute for healthcare services.