Five Self-Care Tools for 2024

Happy New Year!  To start off 2024 I wanted to write a slightly different type post.  This post will include five of my favorite self-care tools that have been part of my daily health routine for a while now:

1.) Standing Desk: Honestly I didn’t believe all the hype until I got a standing desk myself. But after using one for the last 4 months I have to say it makes a big difference in how both my low back and neck feels after working many hours working at a monitor. I did some research and purchased a standing desk from Eureka Ergonomic.  I like my desk but there are obviously lots of other brands and options.  If you didn’t want to replace your entire desk you can purchase the type of standing desk that sits on top of your current desk.

2.) Acupressure Mat: I use my acupressure mat a lot, almost every day. It is a great way to bring the body back into a state of presence after a busy day. I usually use my acu mat for 15 minutes at night before bed to improve sleep quality, but it also works great as a quick “reset” in the middle of the day to reduce stress levels. There are lots of acupressure mats available on Amazon and most people like the benefits… but please keep in mind that I’m talking about laying on a mat covered with sharp spiky things, so perhaps these mats are not for everyone 😉

3.) Noise Cancelling Headphones: My third recommendation is to take an occasional “noise escape” with noise canceling headphones. Both Bose and Sony make great models; I did some research online and purchased the Sony WH1000XM5 headphones, which I recommend.  I have never tried the Bose headphones, but I have heard they are very good.  Try a 20 minute escape in the evening with noise canceling headphones while listening to music or a guided meditation (see below).  I like to listen to something relaxing while doing timed breathing, meaning a 4-5 count on each inhale and a 5-6 count on exhale.

4.) Meditation Apps: My 4th self-care recommendation is to try a meditation app. Currently, my favorite meditation app is called Breethe, they have a nice variety of meditations, hypnosis sessions and even relaxing sounds. Ideally I recommend meditation 20 minutes, 2 times per day, but honestly I usually only get in one 20 minute session per day.

5.) Yerba Mate: Lastly, I have been drinking Yerba Mate instead of tea in the afternoon. I’m a big tea drinker, but it’s also nice to start a new afternoon ritual. Yerba Mate has lots of antioxidants and the caffeine “buzz” feels familiar to tea, but also distinctly different from tea.  I would say that the buzz feels a bit more “creative” and “open”, where tea feels a bit more “productive” and “linear”.  I like to have some Mate in the early afternoon before a workout or when I’m working on music projects. The basic yerba mate brand that you’ll find everywhere is Guayakí. I prepare the beverage the old-school way with the loose-leaf mate and the metal straw called a “bombilla“, but Guayaki also has tea bags and bottled versions.

Thanks for reading and I’m hoping you can incorporate some new healthy habits into your daily life this year! Wishing you the best for 2024 and beyond!
-Eric Schmidt, LAc