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Now that resolutions have died down a little bit, let’s really think about what we want to do for ourselves.
Healing happens one day at a time, slowly, and in layers. It doesn’t have to mean big changes all at once. That’s where we mess up, thinking it’s all or nothing. Think of all the beautiful colors in between black and white. There are just as many shades of recovery.
Typically we start out working on the physical in recovery from disordered eating, and then the mental, emotional and spiritual can come.
Let’s look to yoga for an example. The postures of yoga prepare us to sit for meditation. Getting ourselves settled physically helps us focus on the precious self-care in our internal world.
One crucial element of physical self-care is rest. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, and that older adults 65+ get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night.
Not getting enough sleep can darken your mood, cloud your thinking, and affect your physical well-being in many ways, as we discussed in an earlier post on this site:
When your body hasn’t had time for its proper renewal process overnight, it may complain in a variety of ways, such as headaches, muscle pain, weakness, and lack of energy.
Lightheadedness and feeling like you need a “boost” from food can spark cravings and tempt you to choose foods and behaviors that aren’t part of your food plan. As well, when you’re rested your body can process and digest food better, helping you feel more balanced and satisfied.
If you’re having trouble achieving the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night, here are some suggestions for how to create a sleep sanctuary. Once you’ve created this optimal sleep environment, you can also use it for a nap when you need rejuvenation during the day.
Is your body calling out for more rest? What will you do to give it this gift?