59. Making Relaxation a Habit Using the C.A.R.E. Method

The Habit Thrive Podcast ~ Self Care Habits, Mindfulness & Wellness Routines for Women 50 & Beyond

“When we change our habits, we change our lives. We can use decision making to choose the habits we want to form, we can use willpower to get the habit started; then - and this is the best part - we can allow the extraordinary power of habit to take over. We take our hands off the wheel of decision, our foot off the gas of willpower, and rely on the cruise control of habits.”

Gretchen Rubin
Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives

Last week on the Habit Thrive Podcast, we discussed The Relaxation Paradox: We Know We Should and Why We Can't. This week on Episode #59, we are moving past the “why” and into the “how” by Making Relaxation a Habit Using the C.A.R.E. Method.🤗

Through the C.A.R.E. Method, we will make relaxation:

C - convenient

A - appealing

R - reward-based

E - easy

Convenient: When and where do you feel most relaxed? 🤔

You might enjoy a slow morning with a cup of coffee☕️ and a magazine or newspaper.

Or maybe - like me - you are a productive machine in the mornings. Checking off items on your to-do list✅ and getting your work done early so you can lounge in the afternoon sunshine.

The best way to initiate a habit of relaxation☝️ is choosing a time and place that already works with your schedule.

Appealing: Involve all of your senses.👀

Think sounds, sights, smells, melodies and tactile sensations that make you feel relaxed:

• Essential oils in your favorite scent
• A comfy chair in front of the warm fireplace
• Meditation music
• Coffee brewing
• Birds chirping around a bird feeder or bath

If you set the scene to your preferences, you’re more likely to keep in the habit.😉

Reward-based: Habit stack your relaxation with a to-do list item.🙌

No, this isn’t a requirement. You don’t have to have worked or accomplished something or ticked off a to-do item in order to relax.

But, often, we can more eagerly tackle our less inviting tasks when we know that we are following it up with our relaxation habit.

Easy: Don’t overthink it!😵

Want your relaxation habit to be a bubble bath with a glass of wine, candles and soft music?🛀🏼 Go for it!

But if you’re not already a practitioner of relaxation, you might need to start small. And that’s OK, too.

Take a moment to enjoy a beautiful view.

Spend one minute focusing on your breath.

Literally stop and smell the roses!🌹

If it relaxes you, it’s all good.

Lorrie xoxox

Want to know your dosha? Take the quiz at chopra.com

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Website: lorriemickelson.com

Habits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond