What If your self-care had a rhythm?
Rhythm is food to the nervous system, whether we’re talking about movement practices or your daily, weekly, or seasonal schedule. In the Christian tradition, the concept of a “rule of life” is an ancient practice that’s about creating simple, sustainable patterns to live a more integrated, meaningful life. Sounds nourishing, right?
In Ayurveda (the oldest form of continually practiced medicine on the planet), ritucharya is a lifestyle rhythm that changes with the seasons. The idea is that each season has unique characteristics that change the way we should support ourselves via what we eat, our activities, and other daily practices. Most of us doing this in part intuitively when we eat stews and soups in the winter and lighter fare in the summer. It’s all about being in alignment with nature’s rhythms for optimal well-being.
The new year offers us the seasonal rhythm of a fresh start. Many people set intentions or goals, and use this fresh energy to move forward in the spirit of becoming. This can be a wonderful practice, but often loses steam. What if, instead, we celebrate and build upon the foundation of what is already going well and working for us? Science tells us that when we look to shift just 4% out of our current reach, this is the sweet spot for growth.
What is going well for you in this season? How can you build on that? Feel free to send me a note and let me know. I’m right here.