Time for Back to Basics

This week I've been exploring back to basic principles of self-care One of the things COVID-19 has done is strip us of our regular structure, and therefore our cues for eating and exercising. We are at home nearly all the time, we have food around us constantly, there is very little incidental exercise able to happen, which means everything we do must be done with full intent or awareness. And as we are living in a state of fairly constant stress and anxiety, actually doing the basics is harder than what it seems. So, what does back to basics mean? FOOD: First is back to basics food. Increasing whole foods like brown rice oats anything that grows on a tree or in the ground i.e. fruit and vegetables.  Drinking water. MOVEMENT: Then it’s back to basics movement. Walking a couple of times a day, standing instead of sitting, stretching,. HABITS: Back to basics eating habits. This includes sitting down to eat, sitting at the table to eat, using crockery and cutlery, tuning in to hungry cues. Below are 11 principles to keep in mind in your back to basics journey. 1.  Acceptance.   My jeans won’t fit, my back aches, I’m not walking as much as I used to, I feel sluggish. 2.  Accountability.  Stating to yourself, or publicly what you are working on and would like to do. 3.  Support - having someone taking the journey with you. 4.  Cuing our behaviour.  When I sit down in front of the tv – that is my cue to pick up my crotcheting (not sit and eat pistacchios) 5.  Using the ‘When I do this, then I will do that’  strategy.  Eg.  When I drink this hot water, then I will have my coffee. 6.  Doing things mindfully. Sitting at the table to eat. 7.  Being prepared.  Ending the day with a clean kitchen bench. 8.  Mindset.  Use simple words – Today I’m going to try to….. 9.  Self-compassion.  This is not a place for perfection or comparison this is a place of self compassion. We will be doing the best we can with what’s been going on. 10.  Goal setting.  Little baby goals. And goals that encourage you to do something rather than not do something.  Today I’m going to drink one cup of hot water.  I’m going to eat one vegetable.  Start, not stop goals. 11.  Boundaries.  Put your little fences in place to keep the cows out. This is particularly important if you’re living without the people who are questioning what you’re doing. This back to basics is for you and you decide where you put your boundary fence. I am cooking one meal tonight and this is what I want to cook and eat.  Or I’m not buying any more junk food come into the house.   ____________________ How can I feel more connected?  If you are seeking the answer to that question, you have come to the right place. Join me, Kim Dunn, Psychologist, in exploring  the opposite of loneliness. From self-acceptance to the Unified Field and all the connections in between. We will delve into connecting with yourself, connecting with others and connecting with the natural world.  Along with a big dose of self-care! Every review and feedback counts and helps spread this podcast to others in the community who would love to increase their sense of connection. RESOURCES To find out more about Kim. If you like this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes, released on Fridays! Thank you Kim