Live Whole Health: Self-care episode #6 – Relaxation

Those who are able to find rest and relaxation are often able to ponder and act on life’s biggest questions: What gets you out of bed in the morning? What do you want more than anything in life? Why are you here? What do you want to achieve? Most importantly: What really matters to you?

So often we speed through our day-to-day tasks, just trying to get the job done. Often it feels like we’re barely able to keep our heads above water. But finding your purpose, or aligning with your mission (your own answers to the questions above), can help you to make sense of your world.

If you’re having trouble finding your purpose, your mission, then it may be time to relax, to really think about what matters to you. Then, go deeper inside. Solidify your commitment to what matters to you.

This 40-minute guided awareness meditation, produced by the War Related Illness and Injury Center (WRIISC) and led by Louise Mahoney, starts out with these basic questions. You should ponder, then let it lead you deeper into a full body practice.

Find a quiet, comfortable place and give yourself the gift of relaxation. Let it bring you back to the true purpose in your life.

Don’t have 40 minutes? Here’s two, then, for a brief breathing exercise led by Carolyn McManus, PT, MS, MA.

Want to learn more about exploring your mission and finding your purpose? You can download the Personal Health Inventory (PHI) which asks the important questions about what matters to you and then helps you to set goals to maintain your optimum health.  https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/get-involved/outreach-toolkit.asp

More information

For more information on the WRIISC programs including resources, such as phone-based meditation, visit: https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/index.asp

Andrea Young is a Field Implementation Team Consultant with the VHA Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation