Review
Cheryl Richardson has learned that when we care for ourselves deeply and deliberately, we naturally begin to care for others in a healthier and more effective way. We become conscious and conscientious, living in truth, making our choices from a place of love and compassion instead of guilt and obligation, and discovering the deep interconnection of all things. The Art of Extreme Self-Care is her 'handbook for the heart and mind', guiding you into living and working in a soul-nourishing environment, expressing your true gifts, nurturing your emotional, physical and spiritual health. Cheryl Richardson offers twelve strategies, to be used one month at a time, challenging you to alter the behaviour patterns or circumstances that hold you back, find your natural rhythm and rediscover your passions.
208pp, 128mm x 198mm, softback, 2009

Extract
The Power of Rhythm and Routine
I love the ocean. My perfect day is spent riding waves at the beach, preferably early in the morning or just before sunset, when the light is beautiful and the crowds are sparse. I've loved the ocean my whole life. Some of my greatest memories are of piling in the station wagon with my family for a long drive to the beach, where we'd spend the day swimming, playing in the sand, digging for clams, or combing the shore for sells. I've always been taken by the majesty of the sea; the mystery of the unseen world below; and the calming, rhythmic sound of the waves.

As I've often told readers and audiences, the beach is where I go for sanity, strength, and spiritual connection. I know that a quiet, meditative walk along the water will clear my head, lift my mood, and give me access to wisdom and insight rather than the misguided musings of my thinking mind. I also go there to feel more connected to God; the yearnings of my soul; and what I need to live an authentic, passionate life. In many ways, the ocean is my church.

Over the years, I've thought a lot about what draws people to the sea. I've walked by hundreds of men and women who were deep in thought as they ran or walked along the shore. I've stood with strangers - beach-loving brothers and sisters - to watch wild waves, 20 feet high, pound the shoreline in a winter storm. And I've spent countless hours with friends and fellow wave riders floating in the arms of Mother Nature, looking for the next big ride. To me, the ocean represents stability, strength, and a sense of peace and comfort that comes from consistent ebb and flow. When I spend time at the beach and in the water, I feel restored, reconnected to my core, and grounded in a way that spills over into my everyday life.

There's something healing about repetition and rhythm, and when I experience this in my everyday life, I feel centred and balanced. I was reminded of this during a time when I felt extremely overwhelmed. I was juggling several big projects, and every day seemed like one long, frustrating attempt to get to the important things I really wanted to do. Obligations, e-mails, phone calls, or requests all took up so much time that by the end of my workday, I had no time left for myself. Fed up with feeling so out of control, I decided to address the problem by using a simple yet powerful coaching technique.

I sat quietly, took a few deep breaths, and asked myself a challenging question: 'What one thing can I do to make better use of my time so I completely eliminate the reason I feel so overwhelmed?'

After waiting several minutes, I had a surprising thought: Get to sleep by 11p.m. and get up by 7a.m. every day. Not an answer I expected. For quite some time, my sleep schedule had been a bit erratic due to travelling. I'm sensitive to jet lag, and I also like to stay up late when the world seems quiet enough to get important projects completed without interruptions. This would have been fine except for the fact that my schedule often required me to be up for meetings during the earlier part of the day. Burning the candle at both ends had made me edgy, anxious, and angry (both at myself and at the situation). No wonder I felt overwhelmed.

Because I've learned to trust my gut when it comes to things like this, I decided to change my sleep schedule for one month and see how it affected my life. The very next day, sitting in my office at 7:30a.m., I felt better. There's something stimulating, almost magical, about the energy of early morning. I love the quiet and peacefulness, and the rising sunlight inspires my creativity.

One month later, during a time when I wasn't travelling, I realized that by sticking to my new routine, my life had more rhythm and flow, and it felt good. I was more productive and energized during the day, not to mention more focused, and my mood reflected the balance and consistency I'd created in my life. I soon found it easy to spend more time on the things that mattered most.

Riding Life's Waves
Finding a wavelike rhythm and routine reaps great rewards and can actually be a surprisingly powerful act of Extreme Self-Care. Routine adds stability to our lives and helps us feel more secure. It also provides much-needed relief from mentally managing too many responsibilities.

From The Art of Extreme Self-Care, ?2009 by Cheryl Richardson, published by Hay House.