There are so many things happening in the world right now, it's perfectly natural to feel a little uneasy. But, we need to ensure we aren't allowing ourselves to be consumed by all the negativity and stress. Whether you are in lockdown or not, there is no better time to really work on your mental health and get into a good head space. Regardless of what is going on around you, we all have the ability to find a place of inner-peace and I am here to show you how.
I could talk about self care for hours, but I wanted to break it down and show you 5 specific things you can do to set yourself up for the best day possible.
1. Do not check your phone when you first wake up - did you know that checking your phone as soon as you wake up in the morning sets you up for a less-productive day, increases anxiety and decreases motivation? It's a form of cognitive overwhelm and is quite damaging to your mental health.
2 . Do 4 rounds of box breathing - before you get out of bed in the morning focus on your breathing. Rhythmic breathing is actually proven to be more effective at waking you up than your morning coffee. Crazy I know! So, before you get out of bed, sit up, keep a nice straight back and do the following. Inhale to the count of 4, hold your breath to the count of 4, exhale to the count of 4 and again hold your breath to the count of 4. See why it's called box breathing? Do this 4 times. It's a technique used to instantly calm the nervous system, revitalise and centre the body and mind. Magic!
3. Drink one glass of warm water in silence - no TV, no phone, no talking - this might mean you have to wake up a little earlier than your family, but trust me, silence is golden and amazing for your mental health. Free yourself from distraction and actually allow your mind to be calm. Sit with yourself and simply notice what comes up when you allow the busyness of your mind subside.
4. Do not turn on the news - the news is full of negativity. We don't need that right now. We are working on our mindset, we only want to absorb positivity to set us up for the day. I truly believe we are what we think and consume. Protect your energy.
5. Yoga - never underestimate the power of yoga. Each morning find just 15 minutes to run through a gentle yoga flow. Movement is medicine and practicing yoga is such an amazing way to centre yourself and find inner peace. Yoga allows you to create space through movement. Space in the body, and in the mind. If you are new to yoga, here is one simple posture you can try to get started.
Seated spinal twist – to decompress and create space within the body
If you find yourself feeling tight and tired upon waking in the morning, try a seated spinal twist. Amazing for releasing the lower back and stretching the glutes. Also incredible for your internal organs.
Start in a seated position. Raise your right leg over your left, placing the right foot to the side of your left knee. Bring your left elbow to your right knee, using your arm as leverage to deepen the stretch. Gaze to the right side while your upper body gently twists. Hold for 8 breaths before changing sides.Simple. If you want to give/meditation a go, you can join my online membership and gain access to all of my yoga and meditation classes. It will be the best thing you do for your mental/physical health
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