RESOURCES
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, even for just a few weeks, can bring a variety of physical, psychological, and social benefits.
Self-Care
While many people may view self-care as a form of selfish indulgence, the act of caring for oneself is actually an important part of a person’s overall well-being. The main goal of self-care is to prevent or control disease and preserve overall well-being through the consistent act of taking care of various aspects of one’s own health. While there is no number one barrier to self-care, many people experience a lack of self-worth that leads to a lack of self-care. This is because people don’t feel as though they deserve to put themselves and their health first or don’t see themselves as being worthy of self-care practices. The many benefits of self-care involve better relationships, a reduction in various disease risks, and an improved quality of life.
Boundaries
Boundaries protect a person’s personal or mental space, much like fences between neighbors. They involve the physical and emotional limits of appropriate behavior between people, and help define where one person ends and the other begins. People typically learn boundaries during childhood within their families. Research indicates that in families with healthy, flexible boundaries, each person is able to develop into a distinct individual with their own unique interests and skills. This helps foster well-being, self-control, and self-esteem. Healthy boundaries allow each person in a relationship or family to communicate their wants and needs, while also respecting the wants and needs of others.
Assertiveness
Assertiveness is the ability to express your feelings and assert your rights while respecting the feelings and rights of others. Assertive communication is appropriately direct, open, and honest, and clarifies your needs to the other person. Being assertive comes naturally to some, but it is also a skill that can be learned. And there are many advantages of becoming more assertive, making it worth the effort. Assertive people tend to have fewer conflicts in their dealings with others. This translates into less stress in their everyday lives. They get their needs met (which equates to less frustration over unmet needs) and help others get their needs met, too. Studies have also found that assertiveness is positively associated with self-esteem. In other words, the more assertive you are, the better you tend to think of yourself.
