Know that achieving a balance of stress response and relaxation response will enhance feelings of health

Create a Person-Centered Care Plan for yourself. We have historically relied heavily on the Medical System to keep us healthy. Now we know that 60-90% of primary care visits are for stress related illness. Who is responsible for managing our stress? Well, we all are aren’t we? As a population, we are also responsible for each other’s stress as well, trying hard to be kind and not add to the stress of others. Once you have begun the work of determining how to balance your own stress response/relaxation response, create a wellness plan where you strategically capture or add or experiences to your days that are healing for you. Go to a craft fair and see how the artisan lights up when describing how they were able to create that particular design in a piece of jewelry or pottery, the process a photographer used to capture the light just so, the practice a dancer uses to prepare for a performance, etc. Then, think about yourself. Do any of these creative ways that others express themselves resonate with you? If you don’t feel particularly skilled yourself; could you support their cause or follow their work? When you are in the middle of an experience; be there! Don’t think about how guilty you feel that you aren’t doing something else. Use your positive experiences as therapy. Notice who in your life helps you be your best self and who in your life is holding you back.