By Robin Bissonette RN, BSN
I moved back to my hometown area a couple of years ago and found myself in one situation after another that challenged my well-being. The details are not as important as the commitment I made to be well in body, mind, and spirit despite any outer circumstances. A brief note about my background is that I am a holistic nurse. I have worked in intensive care units yet also studied integrative therapies such as Healing Touch and Cranial Therapy and methods of wellness such as meditation.
Since I’d felt a healthy, strong, and grounded sense of well-being before moving back and well into the move, I asked the question, what changed? Not that my life ever looked completely “in order,” but was it supposed to? Yet inwardly, I’d had the confidence that no matter what, everything would be okay.
Upon reflection, several practices that had been part of my daily life had not been as consistent since the chaos of the move. Here, I share only a few of the most important ones for me, and yours may be different. I have learned that there are both positive and negative coping strategies that we all use, but here, the focus will be on the positive ones.
Most important on my list was a daily time for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading, in the morning and usually evening, too, if the time was available. It could be 10 minutes or more than an hour to let go of the world, focus, and be still. Next was having a regular outing in nature. Since this also included exercise, it combined 2 positive coping practices. In addition, I had been eating more natural, chemical-free foods with purified water daily.
I have been making more of an effort to integrate these practices daily, as well as others, back into my life with greater commitment and have been regaining my confidence. And the dust has not yet settled! But I can definitely say that making these few practices a regular part of my weekly and daily routine makes me feel inwardly stronger.
So, I invite you to explore the question: What do you need to integrate into your daily routine for inner well-being? What practices nourish and support you in body, mind, and soul? Are you utilizing them to the fullest? Maybe you will want to integrate some of those practices into the next month and new year.
If you like, join me in giving thanks to all the people and circumstances that have helped us grow despite what may have appeared as unjust or without a satisfying resolution. Sometimes, it really can be healthy to let go, forgive (another healthy coping mechanism!) misunderstandings, and choose to focus on the forward good that life has for you. And whatever you celebrate in the coming days and weeks, may you be deeply well, whole, and healed.
Robin Bissonette, RN, BSN, is a child of God, a holistic nurse who practices Healing Touch and other integrative therapies and dabbles in crafting. Please see the calendar if you would like to join us for a circle of wellness support and exploration.
