The loss of a pet can be one of the most significant losses we experience. From the events leading to their departure including illness, accident, dehabilitation, and other circumstances… to the grief, and feelings of emptiness and loneliness that follow their departure, can be heart breaking and traumatic to loving pet parents. 

Here we are again, on the precipice of a new year! This feels like another year of big change as we leave the Piscean age into the age of Aquarius. What an interesting time in history to be alive. I became fascinated with astrology over a decade ago when I noticed that my emotions ran high each month during the full moon. I certainly am not an expert on astrology, but I have noticed how the planetary shifts align with our personal and collective trajectories, whether we are aware of it or not. After all, if we are interconnected with one another and the Universe, of course we are affected as individuals and as a group by something as large as the solar system, it’s planets and inhabitants.

Holidays can be fun and exhilarating, but can also be exhausting if we don’t take effective care of ourselves during this busy time of the year. Here are some tips to help you honor yourself and your needs as you maneuver through the upcoming days. These are merely suggestions to keep things healthy and low-stress, but it’s also fun to indulge during the holidays. Your self-care is yours, so you get to choose what you do and how you live. There is no right or wrong to this, so I encourage you to be mindful and decide what works best for you.

The inner-child within each of us needs to feel safe and secure. Uncertain and challenging times can trigger memories and/or feelings within from our childhood when we did not understand or feel emotionally equipped to handle stressful and traumatic situations. Although we love them, spending time with family during the holidays can also trigger unresolved emotions, conflicts and traumas.

You can support and enhance your energy by creating a high vibrational and soothing space within your home. Sacred space is a calm and relaxing sanctuary to retreat within, designed just for you. This could be created in a corner of a room, a closet, a room, extended throughout the house or outdoors. Retreating to a nurturing place designated to meditate, contemplate, journal, do yoga, create, read, dream, or just be is a beautiful way to honor yourself and your needs.

Age is just a number and it’s never too late to start living better. Preferences regarding self-care vary from person to person, but most people would agree that if they have a choice, they’d like to maintain a youthful appearance and feel vibrant.

The root of the sleep issues can be physiological or psychological. Sleep and how it affects the body’s functioning are too important to ignore. Poor quality sleep is often due to mental stress or emotional issues that have not been resolved.

Getting adequate sleep is an essential part of self-care. Many people do not get enough sleep or sleep poorly and accept that is just how it is. If you have difficulty sleeping or the quality of your sleep is poor, I suggest engaging in good sleep hygiene practices or habits that foster a good night’s sleep.

Self-care is anything we do for ourselves to increase or maintain the wellness of our mind, body and soul. I always encourage people to meet themselves where they are. We’ve got to start somewhere and every step toward our desired health is a step in the right direction.

Taking a natural approach to caring for your body is helpful to keep it functioning optimally. Awareness regarding chemical exposure is a great place to start.

What have you done for the health of it today? This is a good question to ask yourself and to commit to doing something/s to care for YOU every day.

The leadership of corporate wellness programs need to adopt a holistic approach as they consider wellness options for their employees. A holistic approach engages and develops the whole employee and celebrates the multidimensionality of each person.

I often wonder why it is that people avoid doing their inner-work when it is the path to peace, happiness and freedom. The things we seek outside of ourselves lie within ourselves.

Scheduling time off for vacation, “staycation” or weekend getaways can be essential in preventing burnout. Sometimes we need a change of scenery to let go, rejuvenate, and gain fresh perspective.

“Compassion satisfaction is the pleasure we derive from being able to do our work well. Higher levels of compassion satisfaction are related to your ability to be an effective caregiver” according to Dr. Beth Hudnall Stamm.

Taking breaks is helpful to avoid physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. Awareness, self-permission and planning may be necessary to getting the break you need.