It’s Time to Examine Your Relationships with Food, Sleep, Clothes & Your Body
Throughout life you not only develop connections with people, you also form relationships with:
Food
Sleep
Clothes
Your Body
Just as your relationships with others can be healthy and supportive (or toxic and defeating) – so can your relationship with these four areas of your life.
One way to tune into the “health status” of your relationships with food, sleep, clothes and your body, is to elevate your awareness of:
Messages you tell yourself
Judgements you place on your choices
Reactions you expect from others
Tying your self-worth to a number, image or choice
All or nothing thinking that arises
Before you dig into this a bit more, I invite you to drop any shame, comparison or expectation. Instead, use this as an opportunity to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and reactions, so that you can bring healing and wholeness to these areas.
So, grab a pen and paper and get started! You can write down simple answers to each question or take more time and journal about questions that resonate more with you.
Food:
How often are you labeling foods you choose as “good” or “bad”?
Which food choices result in feelings of joy, energy or satisfaction?
In your family of origin, what messages did you receive about food?
Which messages have you retained? Which have you replaced?
How do you include food in your connections with others?
Sleep:
Do you tell yourself it’s not possible for you to get a good night’s sleep?
Or, are you consistent about getting a good night’s sleep? How have you made that happen?
Do you think that if you don’t get the sleep you need tonight the next day will be awful?
Do you believe getting good sleep is a rare luxury? Where does this message come from?
Is “I’m too busy to sleep” a message you send yourself? When did you begin thinking that?
Clothes:
What clothing do you wear that makes you feel good?
Which items of clothing do you choose to wear (or not wear) because of what someone else may think or say?
If you decide not to wear a certain clothing item, is it due to messages of “shouldn’t” or “can’t”? From where do these messages originate?
Which articles of clothing do you tell yourself “I could never wear that” – why or why not?
Which clothing items do you tell yourself, “I want to wear that more often”?
Your Body:
How do you feel when you express gratitude for your body (it’s strength, power, grace, ability)?
How often do you talk negatively about your own body?
What purpose do you think this negative self-talk serves?
What parts of your personality do you hide because of how you feel about your body?
List three things you love about your body.
What have you noticed?
What has surprised you?
In what areas would you like to devote attention and energy for deeper understanding and wholeness?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. These areas of inquiry are your entry point to better understanding yourself.
Next Steps:
What action steps will you take to move forward?
How can I help you? Helping women improve their sleep is my “zone of genius” and I am always happy to provide my services. Visit my website and let’s connect!
And, with the clinical background I have as an LCSW, I can help you fine-tune what you need and connect you to any resources (counselors, therapists, support groups, etc.) that can help you move towards greater wellness!
With hope and wellness,
Cheri
Cheri Timmons is a Greensboro Downtown Parks program partner. The work she does with us is critical to providing FREE wellness programming to our park community. As we make our way through these unprecedented times, consider how you might support local Greensboro non-profits like us, as well as local businesses, artists, entrepreneurs like Cheri, makers, and more. We'll continue to bring you free programming through our digital platforms and look forward to having you join us and Cheri back in the parks soon!
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