Sometimes the mind likes to create the belief that life is boring. When we get stuck in the mind, which is task oriented and remembers facts, yes, life can be boring.
The mind likes to create a whole storyline of what life should be like...
For some people, it kind of goes like this:
"I go to work from 9-5 from Monday-Friday, I do my work that I'm assigned during these days. On the weekend I have chores to do: clean, grocery shop, cook, children events, ect."
Where is the fun? The relaxation? The laughter? Where is the YOU time?
I see that most of us get caught up in giving and doing everything for everyone except ourselves, and this cycle depletes us of having time and energy to explore and see the fun, beauty, and peace life has to offer! Enjoying life is really simple. It's just up to us to make the choice to create these experiences of fun, peace, and relaxation. Once we've made the decision, then we can truly apply and feel the benefits of these practices listed below. Remember, it's the little things in life that make life special.
5 Ways to Enhance and Recharge Your Life:
1. Take a Bath with Epson salt and 1-3 drops of your favorite essential oils.
Studies have shown that baths reduce stress because warm water increases the levels of serotonin (the happy chemical) thus allowing one to let go, feel nurtured and relaxed. To deepen the relaxation vibes of this treat you can add lavender, sweet orange, ylang ylang, or geranium. Be mindful to only add 1-3 drops, essential oils are very potent. (A highly reputable brand and one I personally love, is doterra)
Also, adding Epson salt relieves body pains and aches because it's high magnesium. Magnesium is one vitamin, along with potassium, that reduces muscle cramping. Essential oils that reduce body pains are wintergreen, lemon grass, rosemary, or grapefruit.
After a not so easy day at work this act of love can be your medicine.
2. Sit back and relax: Do a guided meditation
"A Harvard Study has shown that the average person is lost in random thought about 47% of the time."2. So about half of the day we get lost in the mind, missing the beauty that's right in front of us. Being stuck in the mind causes us to stress out because it's always giving orders of what to do next or keeps us distracted that we can't fully enjoy what we are doing right now. Thankfully, we have a tool to train the mind to work for us, not against us, and it's called meditation. There are a whole host of benefits including reduced blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels (stress hormone), reduces pain, enhances body's immune system, and enhances memory. This is one of my favorite guided meditations that also includes positive affirmations. Click this to listen. I love that it's only 20 minutes because it makes it easy to fit into my day or night. Also, this is my "go to" when I feel like I'm starting to get sick and I add in the positive affirmation "I am healthy, my immune system is strong". Works like a charm!
3. Count Your Blessings
Sometimes when things aren't going right or we feel overwhelmed with all the work that needs to get done, we lose sight of all that's going good for us. Play the "I am Thankful Game" or have a gratitude journal to write in at night. This will help you to get out of negativity loop the mind creates. Keep it simple. There are so many things to be grateful for, we just need to look and find them!
Examples: I am thankful that I can breathe. I am thankful for the sun. I am thankful for the moon. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my home. I am thankful for my pet because he/she brings me joy. I am thankful I feel warm with this jacket on.
4. Make a delicious and nutritious meal and, if you can, share it with people you love.
Enjoying food, especially with people you love, is ultimate. Ayurvedic knowledge teaches to pick food that's fresh and organic and pour your love into the food while cooking it. Putting your own personal love food beats going out to a restaurant where you don't know the chief and can't guarantee he or she is putting love into your food. I know there is a luxurious feeling of eating out and getting served, but it's more luxurious and fun to pick a recipe, pour you love into it, play music, smile, and enjoy the act of cooking. The end result is the prize of the completed meal after enjoying the journey of cooking the recipe. You are what you eat, so might as well put love and pick foods that are packed with nutrients, vitamins, healthy fats, proteins, and fiber into the body!
5. Plan a day trip or weekend trip with a best friend, lover, child, or parent.
At least 1-2x per month take time out of the normal weekend routine, do something completely different and have fun! Ayurvedic knowledge teaches us that in order to create balance in our beings, we must connect with nature. Pick a friend, talk your family or your lover, and look at the calendar and plan a day trip.
Ideas: pack a lunch and go on a hike, visit the forest, the river, the ocean, take your notebook or a book to write/read while you are there! Go to a hot springs near you, submerge your body in the warmth and completely enjoy. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park, SF and sip on tea and tune into the zen vibes. Go to a sauna or steam room and finish off with a cold shower to close the pores, tighten the skin, and massage your body with oil to rehydrate the skin. While you are driving to your destination, play your favorite tunes, maybe make stops along the way. Be free and go with the flow opposite of being task oriented.
Dedicating a whole day to relax is the ultimate recharge that will spill over into the rest of your week.
So there you have it, 5 easy ways to enhance your life! If you are interested in learning personalized methods to enhance your life, yoga classes, needing a massage or need assistance of how to create space in your life to make "you time" please inquire, click here.
Sources:
1. Koopman, Diane. “10 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Taking a Bath.” Lifehack, Lifehack, 3 Jan. 2018, www.lifehack.org/381960/10-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-taking-bath.
2. Kress, Rob. “Meditate Before You Have To Medicate.” GreenMedInfo | Blog Entry, 2 July 2015, www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/meditate-you-have-medicate.
Comments
Post a Comment