Self-Care Daily with Rachel Brathen

When time starts to move really fast, that usually means we are not fully present. We are living on autopilot. Today’s check in offers you a chance to slow down time. You will take a moment to close your eyes and connect to the here and now. Then, ask yourself how you are really doing. Allow yourself to feel the way you are feeling. Don’t avoid what’s there - or you may avoid your entire life. Tune in to begin.

July is definitely a month where we blink and it’s over. If you feel like time is moving at the speed of light, this week on Self-Care Daily offers you an entire week to check in with yourself. Rachel will share a practice every day for you to slow down, move inward, and see how you are really doing from within. How is your heart? Your body? Your mind? Let’s find out. Tune in to begin.

Leo season is the perfect time of year to show up and let yourself be seen. For today’s self-care practice, you are going to share a bit of yourself by sharing a piece of your art. Are you a writer? A singer? A painter? A poet? Rachel will share some ideas on how you can bring your creations to the world. Tune in to begin.

We are all born with precious gifts that we are meant to offer the world. But maybe, for whatever reason, you have hidden your gifts along the way. What is a gift that you haven’t fully pursued yet? What is the art that you haven’t made? What is your intuition telling you inside? In today’s episode, you will explore these questions in your journal. Tune in to begin.

Insecurities are challenging to deal with. But here is an interesting thing about them: they are always changing. Can you think of an insecurity that you’ve had in the past that is no longer an issue for you? Today’s practice will help you answer this very interesting question. And it will teach you a very valuable lesson. Whatever you are dealing with now, you can overcome it. Growth is possible. Tune in to begin.

We all have so many gifts, traits and abilities that are unique to who we are. There is something that only you can contribute to the world. But maybe you’ve been playing small lately; feeling insecure or speaking down to yourself. In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through a journaling practice that will bring whatever this may be to the surface. It’s time to release it. Tune in to begin.

This week we are saying goodbye to the watery sign of Cancer and stepping into fiery Leo. This is an important transition! It’s time to take up space. Have you been keeping something from the world but you are ready to share it? Are you playing small? Is there some dynamic that you want to grow into its fullest potential? It’s time to do all of the above. Tune in to begin.

What is one of your favorite summer activities? For today’s self-care practice, you are going to enjoy that experience with so much more time, space, and presence than you normally would. Don’t rush off to the next thing. Just relax, be yourself, and show up for the moment. Let your mind wander in a good way, and bask in summer and the difference that real presence can bring. Rachel will share an example from her own life. Tune in to begin.

Do you have a morning and evening ritual that you return to each day? This is a great way to bring more mindfulness and presence into your life. In today’s episode, Rachel will help you put these practices into place in a way that works for your life, so you don’t fall out of them over the summer. Use these moments to stay grounded and anchored in the here and now. Tune in to begin.

There is one thing that, above all, absorbs your attention and stops you from being present for life’s special moments. Can you guess what it is? In today’s episode, you are going to remove that distraction for an entire day. Can you put your phone away completely? Remove the screen, and the playfulness of summer will be something that you remember forever. Rachel shares some tips on how to do it. Tune in to begin. 

There are certain special moments in your life that only summer can bring. What are those moments for you? Do you have family traditions each year? Is there a moment in your day to day that stands out? Today’s episode is a practice, one that you can take with your journal to a beautiful spot and reflect on summer’s precious moments. Rachel will guide you throughout the entire journey. By the end, you will have a list that will help you stay focused and alert. And when the special moments come, you won’t miss them. Tune in to begin.

We are already halfway through the summer season. Time moves at the speed of light! Or - is it just us moving too fast? This week on Self-Care Daily, Rachel is going to share mindfulness practices that will help you slow down time. It’s a week dedicated to getting present for the moments of life that matter the most. Can you stay grounded in the now? Can you immerse yourself in the magic and beauty of this time of year? If you can, time will move a lot slower. Tune in to begin.

There is a feeling of ease that comes from acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers, that you can’t be in control all the time, and that you exist in a world that is full of so many unknowns. A true level of rest comes from being spiritually anchored and trusting in something bigger than yourself. In today’s episode, Rachel is going to invite you to write a prayer for rest. Send this prayer out into the universe, to any force that you believe in, and you may feel a little bit more at peace. Tune in to begin.

In a fast-paced world, true rest can be really hard to find. Sometimes, we may think we’re resting when we actually aren’t. A great example is scrolling on your phone while watching Netflix. This keeps your brain wired and alert - the opposite of winding down. In today’s episode, you are going to assess why rest may be evading you and any behaviors you have that feel restful, but really aren’t nourishing you at all. Tune in to begin.

There is a difference between the kind of tired you get from sitting on your computer all day working versus the kind of tired you get after rigorously moving your body. Today’s episode focuses on how to rest your body. Your physical self needs you to show up for it in specific ways. Rachel shares some beautiful ideas that will help you feel rejuvenated and nourished. Tune in to begin.

Our minds are the busiest part of us. Even when our bodies are still, our minds can be moving a hundred miles a minute. The exhaustion that comes from that goes deeper than needing a good night’s sleep. In today’s episode, you are going to assess: mentally, how tired are you right now? How much is your brain working every day? Do you have moments where you can turn your brain off completely? Rachel will also share some great ways that you can quiet the mind, and what has been helping her the most right now. Tune in to begin.

What does rest look like for you? Are you resting in a way that nourishes you on a soul level? This week on Self-Care Daily, we are going to take some time to figure out how we can rest better - in a way that allows us to soften, to let things go, and to just simply be. It is a core need that cannot be taken for granted. Tune in to begin.

When it comes to moving our bodies, there are so many things we can do that set us up for success. In today’s episode, Rachel shares her best tips that help her stay consistent. Figure out what will help you and make sure you implement those practices in your life - it will make an incredible difference. Tune in to begin.

Sometimes the really hard thing is the most important thing to do. In today’s episode, you will reflect on the form of movement that is really hard for you to do right now, for whatever reason. Maybe it feels like a drag, maybe there’s no time for it, or maybe you just find yourself constantly avoiding it. But how do you feel when you actually get it done? That’s the important part. Tune in to begin.

There are so many fun ways to move our bodies in the summertime. The world is your oyster! In today’s episode, you will reflect on the form of movement that brings you the most joy right now. What feels easy and fun? Those are the ways you can stay active and find consistency during a time that usually doesn’t have the most structure. Tune in to begin.

Planning for movement in your day is so important, otherwise it often becomes our last priority. In today’s episode, you are going to figure out what an easy daily rhythm of movement could look like for you over the month of July. The important thing is to make it realistic with your life right now, so you can stick to it. A small window of space is all it takes! Rachel will share some examples. Tune in to begin.

It’s time for the summer break! Our regular rhythm of life is changing a lot right now. How is your body feeling during it? Are you taking care of yourself? Are you moving your body? While there are lots of options for movement during the summer, settling into a routine isn’t always the easiest. This week on Self-Care Daily, you are going to prioritize moving your body and finding the schedule that works to keep you going. Tune in to begin.

Today’s self-care practice brings you a sensitive question that you can answer in a way that resonates with you. What is something that you needed from your mother as a child that you didn’t fully receive? Today will help you discover that missing piece and then offer it to yourself. Rachel shares some beautiful examples. Tune in to begin.

There are so many things we can do to take care of ourselves. But sometimes, and with some things, we just need some support from others. In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through a very constructive practice where you will discover a realistic need you have in your life and how that can be met by the people around you. It’s a beautiful experience when you feel taken care of and held. Tune in to begin.

From a physical standpoint, what do you need to feel at peace in your body in this moment? In today’s practice, Rachel will guide you through a mediation to create more space in your body and shift your awareness through it. If you can let everything relax, there will come a point when your body will speak to you. What is it saying? Tune in to begin.

How are you tending to your own needs right now? Is your level of self-care meeting the level that your body is asking of you? In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through a contemplation to answer these questions from an honest place. Maybe you’re doing a really great job filling your cup right now - or maybe there’s just too much on your plate. Tune in to begin.

We have entered nurturing and feeling cancer season. This week on Self-Care Daily, we are going to hone this energy to truly mother ourselves in the most loving way we can. What qualities make a great mother? It’s not saying yes to every whim - it’s actually setting consistent boundaries, giving authentic care, and recognizing what is actually good for you in each and every moment. This week will help you do that for yourself. Tune in to begin.

This weekend is filled with the most light of the year, so it’s the perfect opportunity to spend it on activities that make you feel great. What lights you up? And can you go do that thing today? This episode will share some of Rachel’s favorite things to do and then it’s your turn to go uplift your spirit. Tune in to begin.

What is that thing that steals your joy, or tarnishes your zest for life, or clouds that inner childlike state of wonder that we all have? We all have something that dims our light. Today’s episode brings you a big journaling practice that will help you discover what you engage in that dims your shine - and what you can do about it. Tune in to begin.

When our inner light is shining it can be seen and felt by those around us. And not surprisingly, the one shining the brightest tends to be the one who is connected to their own truth and comfortable in their own skin. In today’s episode, you are going to reflect on the times in your life when you were most connected to your inner light. Is there a common denominator within these experiences? Tune in to begin.

The sun is shining with its mightiest force right now. Where is that light landing in your life? What realizations are you having? What is calling for your attention? In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through a journaling practice that will help you answer these questions. There is an epiphany waiting for you. It’s time to go looking. Tune in to begin.

This week, of course, brings us the summer solstice (and Midsummer if you live in Sweden!). This time of year is all about light. There are longer days, shorter nights, nature is bountiful, and the sun is really at its peak. In honor of that, we are going to focus on the light in our own lives. Especially if things often feel dark, shifting your attention to the light can remind you of the beauty all around. Tune in to begin.

Summer is so close we can practically taste it. For today’s self-care practice, you are going to do a chore that you’ve been putting off that will help you enjoy the coming season. Rachel shares some great examples. Then after you finish the chore comes the most important part. You are going to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Summer is all about basking in the beauty of the season - so don’t forget that part. Tune in to begin.

Summer moves really quickly. Let’s not have it pass by as something hectic that came and went. In today’s episode, you will reflect on the rhythm of your daily life and how you want that to look in the summer. The way you wake up, how you spend your morning, and what you do before bed all play an important role in what your life looks like. Make sure it’s nourishing you! Tune in to begin. 

In today’s episode we are going to take a moment to check in with our bodies and ask ourselves a very important question. What feeling do you want to embody this summer? What kind of energy do you want to have in your daily life? Once you are clear on that, this episode will help you discover the obstacles in your way and how to remove them so you can experience the summer you deserve. Tune in to begin.

As life picks back up in the spring, our to-do lists somehow get so much longer. Do you have an issue or a chore or a problem that is currently looming in your life that you just want to get over with? Today’s episode will help you figure out what that is - and how to deal with it. There’s a decision you can make right now. Tune in to begin.

The best thing to do during the summer season is to simply enjoy it. But that can be hard if you have a list of chores, a to-do list a mile long, or a big project you need to get off your plate. This week on Self-Care Daily, we are going to make a list of the stuff that needs to get done before summer - and get to it. Then you can just immerse yourself in the warm days and focus on living. Tune in to begin.

Today’s self-care practice will energize you, and then allow you to integrate that energy created in a restful moment. Rachel will share some practices that bring vitality and zest to your life, followed by some practices that can bring you purposeful rest. Learning what really lifts you up - and what really grounds you - can change your life. Tune in to begin. 

Working really hard can make us tired, but it’s not the same thing as feeling drained. We feel drained when we engage in something that’s not fulfilling, that provides no purpose to us, and adds no benefit to our lives. Are you engaging in anything that is draining you? This episode will help you identify it, notice how often it shows up in your life, and then distance yourself from it - or even quit it entirely. Tune in to begin.

How do you know when it’s time to fill your cup? What does that sensation feel like in your body? Can you catch yourself before you overdo it? Do you listen to what your body is telling you? In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through a meditation that will help you discover how your body feels in this exact moment. It’s a practice you can come to anytime to close your eyes and sense your energy levels. Tune in to begin.

When you are feeling drained, what fills you back up again? What do you do when you need a real energy boost? What fills your soul? In today’s episode, you will answer this question, looking at whether you are using this activity to its fullest potential in your life. Tune in to begin.

Gemini season tends to be a really social time of year. There are so many celebrations and graduations. The weather is nicer and we are outside more with our loved ones. But through it all, are you balancing your energy levels? Do you know when you are ready to rest versus when you are ready to pick up the pace? Do you know when you are feeling extroverted and social and when you need more silence in your life? This week on Self-Care Daily we will learn how to ride those waves. Tune in to begin.

For today’s self-care practice, we are going to take the gratitude we feel inside and turn it into a physical experience that can be noticed and seen by its intended recipients. Rachel will share some great ways you can do this, from writing a thank you card, to picking up trash when you’re outside. It’s a practice that will get you creative and allow you to have some fun. Tune in to begin.

Yesterday we focused on how gratitude makes us feel on the inside. In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through an open-ended journaling practice that will do the opposite. When you are anchored into gratitude, what changes externally in your life? Do you feel you have less hurdles in your day to day? Can you navigate difficulty easier? Does it change the dynamic between you and other people? Tune in to find the impact.

How does gratitude show up in your body? What fleeting feelings pass through you and where? Can you really linger in this embodiment of thankfulness? In today’s episode, Rachel will guide you through a meditation that will allow you to feel gratitude in your body in the here and now. This isn’t a feeling we have to wait for - we just have to let it in. Tune in to begin.

You can probably feel it; our energy shifts as soon as we turn our attention toward gratitude. Things feel easier, our blessings become obvious, and we can sense the flow in our lives. It can turn an entire day around! Today we will be focusing on our most obvious and biggest sources of gratitude. What are you most grateful for in this moment? And how does that show up in your body? Take it in and tune in to begin.

Gratitude is an anchor in our lives. It’s a place we can return when we feel lost in the mundane and stuck in the trials of life. This week on Self-Care Daily, we are going to focus on gratitude. We will learn to redirect our focus toward the magic that’s already present - and the things that really matter. Tune in to begin.

We’ve been working up to this all week: today we are going to get messy on purpose. Rachel shares some great ways you can get your hands dirty, from cooking with your kids to finger painting or making some kind of art. Sometimes when you embrace the mess, your perfectionism fades away and you can just live in the moment. Tune in to begin.

Is there an issue in your life that you are fighting so hard to control? Are you constantly trying to sort out the mess but it seems like it’s not doing anything? In today’s episode, you are going to consider an area of your life that just feels like a huge mess. Maybe this area doesn’t need more control or effort, maybe it just needs a little bit of acceptance. Sometimes by letting go, the trash will take itself out. Tune in to begin.

Are you judgemental toward your body? Almost all of us are. This is an area where we tend to get overly controlling and nitpick. In today’s episode, you are going to hold space for a part of your body that you are never satisfied with. Rachel will guide you through a meditation to place your hands on yourself, shift toward acceptance, and allow this body part to be exactly as it is. Tune in to begin.