Our Guest Blogger is the incredible Dr. Andria D’Amato. She is an exceptional human being and a gifted acupunturist who has helped me immensely on my healing journey. I admire this young lady and encourage you to seek out her services. Enjoy this virtural wellness walk with Dr. Andria!

Submitted by Dr. Andria Marie D’Amato

As the daughter of the wellness minded family and complementary alternative medicine practicing father, I took for granted the ease of a daily practice of wellness when I became responsible for facilitating my own sense of well-being.

Since wellness is comprised of eight limbs, occupational, emotional, spiritual, environmental, financial, physical, social and intellectual, it was easy at times to feel out of balance.

So, I simplified it for myself. I committed to one act of guilt free, self-care/self-love, per day for 40 days.
I had to repeat this exercise for three separate 40 day periods over the course of 2 years for the practice to finally sink in as a daily habit.

The guilt free quality of self-care was the most difficult for me to overcome. I chose to consciously quiet the opinions of others or the expectations I had for myself and put them to rest, even if only temporarily. For example, I stopped for coffee and read a magazine and, forced myself to leave my phone in the car for 20 minutes. Sent greeting cards to family members or friends, went for a walk in a park, walked around aimlessly at TJ Maxx smelling candles and designing rooms in my future home; explored places in my hometown that interested me, such as museums and restaurants. Saw a movie alone. Took myself for a pedicure. Seasonal activities. Anonymously bought someone gas or lunch. Stopped by a pet store to play with the puppies. Went outside and read a book for the afternoon. Watched a movie instead of feeling obligated to do laundry or dishes or clean. Dancing breaks when a song or rhythm moved me.

Start by simply giving the normal tasks of a daily routine merit and acknowledgment that participation in, and, completion of them are an act of self-care. Eventually, joy and gratitude will replace what was previously described as mundane. Daily acts of self-care have now become habitual. Instead of one act of self-care per day, now, I consciously acknowledge every time I get a warm and fuzzy feeling from an activity where I have chosen me. Not in a selfish way. And I’m not saying omit all responsibilities and obligations. Rather, find the joy of the experience within that responsibility and obligation.

A memento of nostalgia. For me something leopard print. My grandma taught me as a young child, leopard in moderation was always in style. For me, having a little bit of that pattern within an eye shot gives me some heartwarming memories of our relationship and mood boost.

Fake it until you make it. Surround yourself with mantras. Everywhere. On your mirrors, on a piece of jewelry, and/ or write them on your palm. Candles or aromatherapy to influence your mood. A gratitude journal. Dance. Sing. Emote. Fresh flowers. Always stop and smell the roses. Literally stop. Roses are surprisingly abundant if you start to look for them. Floral departments of grocery stores are a great place for some sniffs. Dress the part. Put on a dress and some cute shoes, a good bra, mascara, lipstick, your favorite piece of jewelry, etc. to run a normal errand. Check yourself out in a reflection. Compliment yourself.

See yourself through the eyes of children. Quiet the critical voice. Train yourself to negate any critical comment by quickly identifying, at least, 3 things you love about yourself. Be extra kind to strangers when you needed their kindness in return the most. Allow yourself to change your mind. Feel the emotions when they come up. Honor them, sit with them, acknowledge them send them on their way.

Lastly, 12 two- handed hugs a day. Minimum. Animals and kids can count as double. It’s also, completely appropriate to accrue more than 12 in a day to put them in your hug bank in case you don’t see 12 people on a future day.

Commit to consciously creating wellness in a way that serves your lifestyle. Be flexible. Ask others for guidance. Share your experiences.

Andria D’Amato, DC, DABCA is the owner of Red Lotus Holistic Center in Canfield, Ohio. She is the current president of the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture.
www.redlotusholisticcenter.com