Check In With Yourself: 20 Questions for Your Emotional Wellness
We live so much of our day outside of ourselves. We engage in conversations with others at work, at home, and on social media. We read stories, news, and the opinions of others. We give our time and energy to help those close to us. Our mental space is almost always occupied. But how much of your day is spent in internal conversation?
Spending time with yourself can often feel like another task on our miles-long checklist, but it’s an essential part of taking care of your emotional wellness and mental health. Just as you would exercise your physical body, “working out” your inner world will help keep you balanced among the stress of day-to-day life.
How to Check In With Yourself
You’ve probably heard the phrase “check in with yourself” many times before. But what does it really mean? Checking in with yourself means carving out time each day to ask yourself how you’re doing. In this space, you can sort out your emotions, assess your physical and emotional needs, and make an intentional plan on how to address these needs moving forward.
Here are three ways you can check in with yourself each day:
Dedicated self-reflection time
Choose a time of day when you’re the least likely to be interrupted, turn on your favorite tunes, and have a good thinking session.
Journaling
If you express yourself best through the written word (looking at you, list-makers), grab your notebook and set aside a quick daily writing session. Even one minute is better than none.
Meditation
Mindfulness is all about becoming aware of your emotions and watching them pass with non-judgement. The meditation seat is an excellent place to work on the skill of checking in and letting go.
The Scientific Benefits of Checking In With Yourself
Checking in with yourself is a form of mindfulness, and mindfulness practices have been shown to have positive benefits for your psychological health. In this review of empirical studies on mindfulness, researchers concluded that mindfulness boosted feelings of well-being and self-compassion, reduced emotional reactivity and psychological symptoms (such as stress, anxiety, etc.), and improved behavioral regulation (the ability to stay calm and manage emotions). With so many benefits for your emotional health, mindfulness should be an essential tool in your wellness practice.
20 Questions for Your Emotional Wellness
Need some inspiration on questions for self-reflection? We asked a few of our Alo Moves instructors what they ask themselves when they need to check in with their emotional health. Incorporate the questions that resonate with you in your next check-in session.
Jacy Cunningham, Fitness Instructor
On being present:
“We never give ourselves time to just feel and just understand how we are being in the moment. We’re always in a rush to understand something, to be something, to become something, to have something, to do something. But how are you going to engage and enjoy just being right now in the moment? If you’re always in a rush to get somewhere else, you are missing the point. It’s not to get to tomorrow, it’s not to get to an accomplishment — it’s to recognize that you are here right now and that is a divine place to be.”
How are you feeling right now?
How can I express my gratitude today?
Am I fighting life or inviting life?
Is the stress in my life accumulating from a lack of play?
In what ways am I avoiding my truth?
Check out Jacy Cunningham’s uplifting Morning Motivation talk on Alo Moves.
Jackie Stewart, Mindfulness Instructor
On gratitude:
“Establishing a practice of appreciation isn’t about negating or invalidating some of those wishes that we have for things to be different or better, but to bring our attention to the fact that as we focus on those things, they become magnified in our minds and it becomes easy to lose sight of what’s right in front of us. And oftentimes when we look, we discover a whole world of goodness that’s already right here.”
Is there something I did or a quality I have that I can acknowledge and appreciate?
What is the most loving and supportive thing I can do for myself right now?
Is there a boundary I can communicate as a way to respect my own needs?
When I listen to my body, what does it need? A deep breath? Movement? Nourishment? Rest?
Can I do this on my own? If not, who can I reach out to for connection and/or to ask for help?
Check out Jackie Stewart’s Navigate Your Emotions meditation on Alo Moves.
Emily Sferra, Barre Instructor
On dealing with change:
“Life has its twists and turns, and I’m cool with that. Turns out Plan B can be just as grand as Plan A. And in some ways, even better, simply because it’s unexpected and spontaneous. Cheers to Plan A, B, C and beyond.”
What am I holding onto? And would it benefit me to let it go?
I’m excited to focus on…
I will create space from…
Who am I checking in on or connecting with today?
What can I do to take care of myself today?
Check out Emily Sferra’s Barre Basics class on Alo Moves.
Sah D’Simone, Mindfulness Instructor
On navigating difficult situations:
“Take a moment to imagine how the wise and compassionate part of you would respond. Let it show you how one could attend to this difficulty. It is in these moments of pause where you touch base with your breath that you can uncover and recognize this innate part of you that’s filled with solutions. ”
Are there any repetitive thoughts that I’ve been attached to that are no longer serving me? Can I give myself permission to let these go?
What can I forgive myself for? and offer forgiveness to?
What can I do to feel sassy, sexy and powerful right now?
When is the last time I have moved my body with intention? (Gone for a walk, danced, run etc.)
Have I taken a moment to come home to my breath today?
Check out Sah D’Simone’s Make Peace With Your Emotions class on Alo Moves.
Practice these instructors’ classes and more for free with a 14-day trial to Alo Moves.