With how much the world has changed during the past couple of years, every person has dealt with various emotions. Try to make a mental note to check in with yourself at least once a day and ask yourself, honestly, how you are feeling. Whatever that emotion is, explore it without judgement but with curiosity instead in order to try and learn what has made you feel that way. This can be helpful to in terms of finding patterns and becoming more self-aware and in tune with your emotions.
The Benefits of Checking in with Yourself
The same way you might work out to take care of your body, you have to “work out” your mind, too. “Mental and emotional health is like physical health,” explains Cynthia Catchings, Talkspace therapist. “We cannot ignore it. In the same way that we can prevent medical issues, or find out if something is affecting us physically, we can also do that to protect our heart and mind. The more we are attuned with our emotions and thoughts, the easier it is to live a happy and healthier life.”
It is especially helpful during very stressful times because it is a step towards being gentle with yourself and practicing good self-care, adds Norman Kim, Ph.D., deputy director of Ayana. “Checking in with how your body feels, how stressed or anxious you might be, what your mood is, and how well you are sleeping – all of these require mindful effort and intentionality,” he explains. “Checking in with yourself matters because it is a great way to be kind to yourself, to give yourself grace, and to stay connected with yourself as well as others.”
How to Check in with Yourself
The beauty of this practice is that there are so many ways to do it – you just have to find the right method that works for you. Here are some ideas you can try –
- Identify triggers and internal cues.
- Journal about your day or whatever it is that you are feeling, whether it was good or bad.
- Meditate to increase your ability to concentrate, relax, and create new connections in your brain.
- Be honest with yourself, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
- Practice gratitude.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Now that you have made it a priority to check in with yourself, it can feel a bit awkward at the beginning since you are not quite sure what to think about or ask yourself to get to the bottom of your thoughts and feelings. Here are some questions that can prompt you to start –
- How am I feeling today?
- What do I need at this moment?
- What is taking up most of my headspace right now?
- What am I doing today to feel good?
- How can I show myself love?
- What can I forgive myself for?
- How can I improve?
Be aware of any feelings or emotions that come up. Once you are aware of the emotions, the goal is not to change them, but observe them. What triggered these emotions? How do these emotions influence your behavior? How can I process these emotions in a healthy way? You should be mindful of how you are feeling and the emotions you are experiencing in order to better yourself.