CLEVELAND — After an intense year, and a hectic holiday season, “self care” is creeping to the top of resolution lists in 2021. But carving out time for yourself isn't always easy, and where do you start? In today's "2021 Refresh," we show you the simple thing you can do every day to de-stress.
“I don't know if I'm ever going to see another year like this in my career,” says Adam Borland, a clinical psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic.
Borland says the past year took a major toll on everyone's stress levels. But this year can be different. The key? Daily routine.
“I often work with my patients to help them create a healthy daily routine -- because especially during this time when we feel like things are just kind of spiraling out of control -- it's really important to feel like we have control over our days. It gives us a sense of, 'OK, this is my this is my plan for the day, these are perhaps the small goals that I want to work towards' and feel as though I identified them, I worked towards them and I experienced a sense of achievement.”
That routine doesn't have to be full of chores. In fact, Borland says the number one thing on your list should be meditation.
“I always recommend people engage in some sort of deep breathing or guided meditation as a way of just kind of slowing things down… You know we are so used to running at 100 miles an hour all the time, that even if we could just take it down 10 miles an hour and just feel a sense of, ‘OK, I don't have to be rushing.’ That's where deep breathing comes into play. It just kind of helps to settle things a little bit.”
Jenna Dashnaw owns J-Bellezza boutique, specializing in clean beauty and wellness products. Her day also starts with meditation and a few simple indulgences.
“Find three things that make you feel the best," she said.
No matter what, in 2021, it's time to take care of you.
“Set yourself up maybe light a candle and do it and that way you feel like you're giving yourself maybe a little facial at home and you're getting that experience and relaxation,” Jenna says.
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