Many people think that self-care is synonymous with body-care. Caring for the body, though, is only one aspect of self-care. Truly caring for oneself includes self-discovery, presence, and insight— all of which depend on one’s ability to remain conscious in one’s life. As you go through your day, notice when your behaviors are conscious, and when they are guided by “auto-pilot.”

• When you drive, do you remember the experience of having driven to your destination? Or are you unaware of how you traveled from point A to point B?
• At the grocery store, are you clear about what you need? Or, are you surprised by what you unload from your bags when you return home? Do you commonly forget to buy the item that originally led you to the store?
• When you awake in the morning, are you present while you get ready for the day? Do you remember having taken a shower and brushed your teeth? When you walk out the door, do your socks match?

If you recognize unconscious patterns of behavior, you can begin to bring awareness to those areas of your life. Some common strategies to increase consciousness throughout the day include:

• Stopping, breathing, and checking in with yourself
• Noticing the body sensations, emotions, and thoughts that you are experiencing
• Differentiating between you and the environment in which you find yourself
• Defining your purpose and intention

The next time you notice activities blurring together, try bringing some mindful awareness to the situation.

Written by Heidi Szycher, a staff member at the Boulder Psychic Institute. Check out her personal site at healings.biz.