Tag: health (Page 3 of 3)

The Path to Changing Unhealthy Habits and Behaviours

We all have at least one unhealthy habit or simply a behaviour we don’t particularly like. Might as well call it like it is…lol. But if/when we arrive at a point where we’ve had enough of it, what’s next? How do we rid ourselves of a habit or behaviour that we don’t want in our lives?

First of all, once we’re at the point of wanting to change or discontinue a habit, we’ve already recognized it as a habit/unwanted behaviour and that it’s something we want to adjust or eliminate. That right there is the basis of awareness and motivation, ready and waiting to take the next step. To add to that newfound motivation, consider making a list of all the positive reasons for wanting to make a change. Maybe the habit is expensive and you will now have more of the green stuff in your bank account. Perhaps the habit in question involves overindulging in something that could have negative consequences for your health and wellbeing or the health of the people around you. Maybe it’s something that is keeping you from socializing with friends and family.

Whatever your vice may be, if you’re aware of it, then you can change it if you want to. Can you do it alone? That depends on what the habit is. At times, a solo venture will be successful. Sometimes it’s best to enlist the help of a family member or good friend to assist in keeping you on track. Other times, a professional may be the best partner in making the transition away from one habit and moving towards something healthier.

We all have the power within us to change what doesn’t serve us well in our lives. Unhealthy habits are not life sentences unless we allow them to be. Picture what you want your life to look like and aim for that goal. Whether it’s baby steps or giant leaps or a combination of both on the journey, we need to believe in ourselves and our ability to choose our paths and reach our destinations.

Until next time,

Heather ~Natural Clarity Coaching~ www.naturalclaritycoaching.com na********************@***il.com Natural Clarity Coaching on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Self-awareness is a useful tool, especially when dealing with narcissists

An incredibly useful tool in narcissistic abuse recognition and recovery is self-awareness.

Self-awareness allows us to be in touch with how we are feeling mentally, emotionally and physically. In order for it to be effective, honesty is imperative.

So, self-awareness in the context of both narcissistic abuse recognition and recovery entails paying attention to our mental, emotional and physical states in response to certain stimuli ie.) interactions with a narcissistic individual. For example, what is my overall sentiment after this individual did/said something unpleasant – angry, upset, hurt, confused, stressed, etc.? Is my mind overwhelmed, shutting down, or am I feeling discombulated? And how is my body reacting – tensing up, increase in pulse rate or blood pressure, furrowed brows, feeling overly warm, etc.? Checking in with ourselves regularly is also a great form of self-care.

This exercise in self-care should also initially leave out the “why” in terms of the other person’s intention. It should be a basic, “How do I feel right now?” And if you regularly find yourself feeling a lot of negative and stressful reactions to a particular person and their behaviour towards you, it may then be worth delving into at that point.

At the very root of interactions with other people, particularly narcissistic ones, asking the simple questions, “How do I feel about what was just said or done to me?” or “How do my interactions with this person make me feel?”, and then assessing your three levels of feelings (mental, emotional, physical) in a truthful manner, will help you to decide how to respond both now and in the future. Listen to that inner voice and honor its authenticity.

Until next time,

Heather ~Natural Clarity Coaching~ www.naturalclaritycoaching.com na********************@***il.com Natural Clarity Coaching on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep – The Big 3

Nutrition.  Exercise.  Sleep.  These three items are integral to our overall health and wellbeing.  Making them part of a daily routine helps to ensure that we regularly include them in our lives in positive ways.

sleep exercise nutrition venn diagram

One thing I have found to be very true is that moderation is key when it comes to eating.  Quantity and quality are meaningful here.  Try to eat three adequately-portioned meals per day with a couple of snacks mixed in.  Check out food/calorie guides to determine your best options in your circumstances.  Keep vegetables, fruits and nuts in your daily regimen because they typically pack in plenty of nutritional benefits.  From my experience, it’s preferable to allow for occasional ‘cheats’ because, for many of us, restricting ourselves from a certain item almost always leads to a greater desire for it.

Exercise is another big area.  Try to get yourself moving as much as possible, especially in this time of more sedentary work-from-home situations.  Walking, biking, hiking, dancing, swimming, yoga, sports, skiing, working out, and so on – whatever you like and can manage to do regularly, make it a solid routine.  Do what you enjoy and it will never feel like a chore.

Sleep, although it may seem like something we can do without at times, is integral to our mental and physical wellbeing.  Sleep gives our bodies and minds time to repair and recharge.  Without proper amounts of slumber, we will inevitably begin to decrease in our functionality on both mental and physical levels.

What it all boils down to when it comes to overall wellness is that MODERATION is key.  Someone very close to me who aged gracefully and healthfully, both physically and mentally, into their 100’s, lived life by that very motto.

Nutrition, exercise, sleep – the Big 3!  Maintaining this trio can create huge benefits that will make for a more enjoyable, fulfilling, healthful and possibly long life.

Until next time,

Heather ~Natural Clarity Coaching~  www.naturalclaritycoaching.com  na********************@***il.com  Natural Clarity Coaching on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Support system rooted in experience, knowledge and compassion

As a survivor of many things, including narcissistic abuse, C-PTSD and anxiety, to name just a few, I have chosen to dedicate my journey to supporting others who are going through similar experiences.  My belief is that someone who has “been there and done that” through times of adversity, gains wisdom and tools to help themselves, together with the opportunity to share that knowledge in an effort to help others who could use a support system.

When you work with me, my purpose is solely to support you in your healing and recovery journey.  Beyond my personal experiences, I have studied various areas of life coaching, psychology (with a focus on narcissism and narcissistic abuse recovery), health and wellness, women’s health, music therapy, Reiki and other relevant topics.

Narcissistic abuse recovery support is my primary focus.  I am not a mental health professional and, as such, do not offer those services; however, my support work with clients can be viewed as a complementary facet, in conjunction with treatment by mental health professionals, of their recovery or a stand-alone system where no mental health issues are to be treated.

NCC Rainbow photo

If you are working your way through challenging times and could use the support of someone who knows on a personal level what you are experiencing and can help to ease the stress and complexity of everything in your healing journey, consider touching base for further information.  My standard rate is $25/hr (Cdn).  Lower rates available on a case-by-case basis.

Until next time,

Heather   ~Natural Clarity Coaching~    na********************@***il.com  www.naturalclaritycoaching.com  Natural Clarity Coaching on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

 

Strength arises out of Challenges

Strength arises most often from the challenging times in our lives.  It is often born out of our survival instinct or the need to protect ourselves and those around us.  It grows in those moments when we feel as though we can’t take one more step but somehow continue to put one foot in front of the other.

Those difficult times can also be viewed as opportunities for learning, growth and healing.  They can make us stronger and wiser.  Moments of hardship force us to adapt.  They also allow us the opportunity to share our experiences with others and possibly help someone else through a tough time.

Strength is most often born from the challenging times in our lives.

Find and grow your strength in the ups and downs of every day.  It’s there for you and continues to grow.  You just need to trust in it and in yourself.  Reaching out to a support system is also very important in some parts of our journeys.  Sometimes that is family, friends, support groups or an organization such as Natural Clarity Coaching, for example.

Heather ~Natural Clarity Coaching~  www.naturalclaritycoaching.com  na********************@***il.com  Natural Clarity Coaching on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

 

Self-care and mindfulness are important when working from home

Many of us have been experiencing the intricacies and complexities of working from home due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, some of us for the first time ever.  Although remote work has many benefits, it also comes with its fair share of challenges.

Working from home can have its share of challenges

Sometimes those challenges come in the form of cramped office quarters, ergonomic issues, trying to find a quiet space, internet connectivity problems (typically during virtual office meetings!), working longer hours, and so on.

Self-care is always a great tool when stress and tension abound in our lives.  In terms of working remotely, taking regular breaks to stretch or go for a short walk can be beneficial.  Daily work routines that include some downtime, no matter how brief, can make for improved mood and less anxiety.  Ensuring that the ergonomics of your workspace are to your liking can make a huge difference to your physical wellbeing.  Sometimes it’s difficult to carve out a quiet place so it may be necessary to create some household rules about volume levels during working hours.  It’s also quite easy to end up working extra time while stationed at home.  Keep an eye on the clock in terms of your scheduled time and try not to make burning the midnight oil a habit.  Insufficient sleep can lead to mood and productivity issues so it’s best to avoid that at all costs.  If getting to sleep becomes an issue, consider trying deep breathing techniques (see my previous blog post), aromatherapy or listening to bilateral music or wave sounds, to name a few great options.

Overall, reframing your work life to include a remote situation requires a change in perspective.  When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.  Do what works for you.  Being mindful of how you feel about certain work-from-home situations can also open your thoughts to potential adjustments that would be welcome improvements.

Regardless of your situation, self-care is important on so many levels.  Make sure to include time to take care of yourself every day.

Until next time,

Heather  ~Natural Clarity Coaching~  www. naturalclaritycoaching.com  na********************@***il.com Natural Clarity Coaching on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

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