Holistic Wellness with Heart by Dr. Jenna Valentine
Dr. Jenna Valentine joins Dr. Lisa Alastuey on The Lisa Alastuey Podcast.
Dr. Alastuey has been teaching Health and Kinesiology for over two decades, and she hosts a podcast that features a variety of inspiring and informative videos focused on wellness, providing viewers with valuable tips and essential life skills to live their best lives!
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So, I can’t rock the Dr. title until I complete the doctoral program. And, I still won’t be able to write prescriptions under my Acupuncture license. BUT, my last name is Valentine, which I think carries some weight on this special day, and I happen to know some things about some things.
If I could write a formal prescription to everyone in this world, I would order them high doses of self-love. I would recommend overdosing on the stuff. I’d approve them sharing it with their friends and family. There would be unlimited refills. And, it would be free.
I recently promised myself that I would do one active self-love thing for myself each day. Ideally, much more than just one. . . And, on this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to prescribe the same plan for you.
Sit quietly for at least 5 minutes each day. The goal is simply to sit with whatever comes up. Imagine that all thoughts, emotions, and sensations are like clouds passing through the sky. Just watch them move through and make room for whatever happens next. This is the start of a beautiful mindfulness practice.
Find a mantra. Pick a saying or quote that resonates with you and makes you feel good. Say it to yourself often. When I’m feeling rushed, mine is, “I have all the time in the world.” Others I have written on my bathroom mirror in dry-erase marker.
Compliment yourself. I have a pre-teen daughter and I am all about body positivity. One way we do this is to tap all over our body saying, “I love my body, I love my body.” Our bodies work SO hard for us. Give them a sweet shout out.
Find a trusted health care practitioner. I have a trusted acupuncturist, Hakomi therapist, and chiropractor. I love having an alternative health team who tend to my holistic wellness. I have regular treatments to ensure I’m being proactive about prevention and not simply reactive to crises. Finding someone while you’re healthy is much easier than when you realize you needed help yesterday.
Laugh often and feel grateful. I love questions like, ‘what was your favorite thing that happened today?” or “what were your highlights?” or “what are you excited about for tomorrow?” If you’re into journals, tally mark each time you have a good laugh. Make sure this is happening with a strong regularity. Be sure to feel into gratitude. Even if it is just one thing: like having the ability to read this amazing blog post. Your eyes work. You have a device with internet on it. This means you have the financial means for these luxuries. Deeply feel the wonder of being in a warm home on a cold night, of having a car to put your groceries in, being able to afford groceries. . . whatever it is, feel fully grateful for it.
I love Valentine’s Day. It’s always exciting to see how many people ask me if I was born on February 14th. . . (no.). I get the gripes about the commercialization, but I love any opportunity to celebrate love. We don’t do it enough. I hope that you have many people to love and be loved by. I hope that you deeply love yourself. If not, consider it a soon-to-be doctor’s order!
We all know we need to practice if we want to get good at something. And, yet, we rarely have the opportunity to consciously practice and learn intimacy skills. As kids, we absorb the patterns of our parents; as teens we fumble alongside our peers; as adults, we fake it thinking that we should already know what we are doing.
Parents are often awkward and uncomfortable talking to their children about sex, schools are restricted in what they can discuss and often limit the sex education to abstinence and biology, media (porn and mainstream) set unrealistic expectations, and society tells us that it is taboo to discuss sex with friends & family. So, how are we supposed to learn healthy ways to connect physically, sexually, emotionally and mentally?
Intimacy Coaching can help guide you through the important work of:
analyzing your assumptions
reevaulating your relationship with sex
learning the critical foundation of self-love
facilitating healthy communication patterns with your partner(s)
talking to your children about healthy relationships and sex
navigating life transitions (divorce, childbirth, anniversaries, aging, injury)
The most important aspect of Intimacy Coaching is that it is customized to suit your individual needs and situation. Coaches will meet you where you are at and help you along the path to living your best life.