If y'all are anything like me you have times where you are sure you are running on too many cylinders and you feel like you can't idle down. Well get it together!
Remember, taking care of ourselves mentally is just as important as physically. Trust me, I know, I have colitis! If you don't take anything else from this post please just learn from my experience that stress literally destroys your body. And at that point it doesn't matter how well you are eating or moving, stress is ruining all that hard work.
Practicing mindfulness is a fabulous way to return to your self so you can be present and aware of all aspects of your fabulous being! Here are some easy ways to get started...
- Mindful breathing: I'm always gushing about the importance of breath work. Taking a few minutes to simply focus on controlling our breath works wonders. Breathe however you want, just focus on the inhale and the exhale. This makes your parasympathetic nervous system so much happier and that in turn calms your whole nervous system and thus your whole body.
- Mindful stretching: I wake up and be a dog and a cat... always! Do whatever stretches feel glorious to you, and pay attention to how it feels in that moment. Still feeling glorious everywhere? Where are you holding tension? Where are you tight? Any pain?
- Mindful eating: First of all I hope you are all eating breakfast! And when you do... don't inhale it, remember to chew, don't check your phone, don't play with your tablet, and for goodness sakes don't watch the news. Focus on your nourishment. Check in with your senses and really enjoy your first meal of the day. The taste, texture, bright vibrant color of your smoothie or fresh fruit, the temperature, the smell... savor it all!
- Senses aren't just for food: Become present in your own body and tune into the stimuli that are surrounding you. What sounds do you hear? Can you smell anything? How does the weather feel?
- Acknowledge your thoughts without judgement: Our minds wander, and that's ok. Let the thoughts come and see them for what they are, just thoughts, then let them go.
- Mindful gratitude: this is another of my faves. I find it works best if I actually document it in a gratitude journal. Take time to think of at least 3 things you are grateful for in this moment. There's always something to be grateful for!
- Body scan: Start at your feet and SLOWLY work your way up your legs, torso, arms, neck, and head. Check in with each part of yourself and say hey, how you doin?
- Chakra scan: The same as above but for your energetic body. I like to keep this simple, but you do need to have some general knowledge of your chakra system for this to work. Start at your root chakra and work your way up through your sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakras. Consider both mental and physical properties of each chakra as you go.
- Mindfulness listening: I'm pretty for sure we are all guilty of responding without actually listening. Pay attention when people speak to you. It's good for you, it's good for them. This goes for music too. How often have you listened to one of your fave songs and all of a sudden it's over and you don't remember hearing the second verse? You love it... why would you not pay attention? You just missed out. Listen!
- Mindfulness yoga: you probably knew this was coming out of me! Next time you practice make sure you listen to your instructor. Breathe when you are supposed to breathe. And check in with your body. How do you feel in that lunge. Do you need to make it more challenging? Tone it down a bit? Listen to your body!
I hope these ideas help you get less mind full and more mindful! Any suggestions? Leave them here!
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