There is something simple that you can do it at any time of the day (no matter how busy you are!) and it will immediately help you feel great. It’s basic but so powerful.

Just ask yourself a question, “What do I need at this moment?”

Sounds overly simplistic, I know, but keep reading!

Why is Checking in So Important?

So many times throughout the day we’re thirsty, tired, hungry, cranky, cold, etc. Oftentimes, we don’t notice how we feel until we have a raging headache or we blow up at our kids. We’re too busy to notice!

Our feelings are swept aside as we run through life to get everything done. Everything else seems so much more important. Think to yourself, do you ever pause to ask yourself if you need anything?

The problem is that we can’t change something unless we know there’s a problem. We’re often so busy throughout the day that we have no idea we need anything until our bodies scream out to be noticed. Usually, by then, it’s hard to fix the problem. We’re already dehydrated or we’ve had a meltdown.

The Power of a Question

I first heard this advice from Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parents Happy Kids. She explained that by simply asking yourself throughout the day “What do I need at this moment,” we pause from the daily frenzy and shift the focus of the day, just briefly, to our own needs. By doing this we may notice that we need something BEFORE it becomes a crisis.

However, more than just fixing something in that moment, it also shifts our mindset to remind ourselves that we are important, too. We are worthy of care and attention. We matter. And my friend, you DO matter. You are appreciated and loved, and you are worthy of all good things life has to offer. Check in on yourself throughout the day. Give yourself what you need, if you’re able to do so, and remind yourself that you are essential and deserve all the best life has to offer.

But what if you can’t fix it?

Occasionally, you may check in with yourself but you won’t be able to fix the problem right away. For example, you may need more sleep, but you can’t pause life to take a nap (too bad!). However, even if you can’t nap, by checking in with yourself, you may identify other ways you can rest. For example, if you’re completely exhausted, maybe you can cook something easy for dinner. If you’re at the office, perhaps at lunchtime you can rest for a few minutes in your car.

Give it a Try

Try asking yourself throughout the day, “What do I need at this moment?” and see if it helps you. If you forget to do this, you can put it as a reminder in your phone or a post-it on your monitor.

Let me know in the comments if this worked for you and how it changed your day.

With love,
Rina