Discovering Your Most Self-Caring Choice in Each Moment
Many of us are too exhausted to prioritize our health. We’re weary of endless discussions about wellness and often feel like we’re failing at self-care.
Over the years, I’ve found one simple question to be transformative in guiding myself toward mindful self-care. It helps me slow down and take care of myself one breath, one moment, and one choice at a time. The question is:
In this moment, what is the most self-caring choice I can make?
Breathing with awareness of this question throughout the day allows me to tune into what my body truly needs. It’s a gentle yet powerful way to reconnect with and nurture the body, rather than pushing through life on autopilot like a hamster on a wheel.
When I ask myself this question, I often notice simple but meaningful things:
I’ve been sitting too long—I need to get up and take a walk.
I have a headache. I haven’t had enough water—time to rehydrate.
My back feels stiff—I’ll unroll my mat and do some gentle yoga.
I just raided the snack cabinet—what was I really feeling in that moment?
The key is to approach these moments without judgment. There are no “right” answers—just opportunities for greater self-awareness and connection.
In our overstimulated world of constant screens and notifications, we often disconnect from our bodies and live entirely in our heads. Taking breaks from technology creates the quiet needed to reconnect with your body and its intelligence. Your body is a faithful ally, offering honest signals about what it needs to thrive.
Befriending your body means treating it with kindness, like you would a good friend. Instead of criticizing it, try blessing it. When you catch yourself complaining about your body, pause, take a breath, and thank it for something specific. Your body listens to everything you say, down to the cellular level. Speaking kindly about your body—and to your body—helps foster a positive relationship with it.
As we navigate the next chapters of our lives, thriving begins with fully inhabiting our bodies, not just living from the neck up. This means gently addressing areas that need healing, whether from past trauma or recent injury, while also honoring the body’s strengths and magnificence.
Respecting your body’s capabilities as they are each day, adjusting with grace, and blessing it with kind words are the foundations of befriending your aging body. This practice will bring greater health and harmony to your body, mind, spirit, heart, and soul.
But don’t take my word for it—try it yourself. See what you discover when you ask: What is the most self-caring choice I can make in this moment?