Massage therapy and other bodywork modalities can be difficult professions. At times you may feel like all you do is give—your compassion, your empathy and of course, your skill—to your clients. You may come home tired and run-down physically and emotionally. The truth is that the people who work to help others often forget to help themselves. At MassageBook, we know most successful bodywork professionals take time to recharge themselves.  Doing these five things every day can help. So, set aside some time for yourself and indulge:

1. Meditate

You don’t have to be in Bali in a kaftan chanting “Om” in order to meditate. All you need is a quiet place to sit down. Try sitting in a comfortable position and envisioning the things that make you happiest in life—your friends, family, pets, job. You can also take ten minutes to envision the life you want—what is your ideal attitude? Imagine yourself as that person.

2. Be Mindfully Grateful

Gratefulness sometimes eludes us in our busy, hectic lives. You’re rushing from client to client, dodging traffic jams and calls from your mother-in-law. But if you take just a few moments in the day to think about what you’re grateful for, your mood will improve and your mind will literally “think different”. If you want to take it to the next step, you can be grateful aloud. Tell those around you that what they do makes you grateful for them (hint: be specific). Believe us; it will start a beautiful cycle.

3. Stretch

This should be a no-brainer for those of us who work on the body for a living. And it’s no secret that the places of soreness can speak to us about lifestyle habits. Take some time in the morning and before bed to get back in touch with your body. Stretch it just a bit and prepare it for the day and for rest. Bonus: if you have trouble sleeping, introducing a stretching routine before bedtime can help.

4. Make a To-Do List

To-do lists can be a stress-inducing thing—thinking about all that needs to get accomplished in a small frame of time. However, jotting down a realistic list of all you need to accomplish in the morning can allow you to get organized early and stay on top of your tasks throughout the day. Plus, it empties your mind and your feelings of forgetfulness so you can focus on your clients.

5. Drink Lots of Water

What does water have to do with rejuvenation? Just about everything. If you find yourself going for another tea or coffee mid-morning, try chugging more water instead. It’s our energy source and lifeline. It will ease your stiffness or soreness, lubricate your joints and generally make you feel cleaner and happier.

Being mindful to do each of these things every day can make a huge difference in your life and your business. Having a clear mind and happy attitude will not only resonate with clients, but it will give you the energy you need to push forward and improve your practice.

Have other ways to rejuvenate your mind and body every day? Share them with us on Facebook.