I encourage you to set aside some time this week to connect with yourself as your own best friend. We each have a good, basic sense of what is good for us and what is not. This is what you will be acknowledging in this exercise.

To begin, take a minute to breath and settle into your body. When in a calm and relaxed place, bring to mind several things that you are doing that are supporting your health and several that are not. Your list on either side of the balance sheet may be as long or short as you choose!

Now, write yourself a letter about your current state of illness or health. Write as one best friend to another. Address any other issues that may be particularly troublesome for you at this time. Write about the changes you want and what you know will support you in making those changes.

Here’s an example:

Dear (your name),

I know you’ve had a lot of pain recently, and I want to encourage you to keep up your exercise program. It really seems to help. There are other things that might be beneficial for you, like…

Remember, as you write, that your health or illness is influenced by your state of mind, your emotions, your spirit. Consider all aspects of yourself as you write your letter. You may find it helpful to write about your fears, your grief, your perceived weaknesses, your negative opinions about yourself. Write also about your insights and intuitions, your hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

Notice how you feel when you have completed this letter. Is this the way that you usually speak to yourself? Do you speak to yourself as your own best friend? How does the tone which you speak to yourself impact your feelings about yourself, your health, your world?

I recommend you do this exercise in writing, however, if that doesn’t work for you, consider taking a walk and talking to yourself about these issues.

These exercises are most helpful when done periodically. For example, try writing a letter to yourself every day or once a week for a month.