Life is busy with many challenges and blessings. Looking ahead to new chapters & new beginnings. Here are just a few ideas that I hope will be helpful in your happy journey ahead.
1. GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT. Many times we get stuck in the trap of focusing on what is undone and not giving ourselves credit for what has been done. This year make an effort to celebrate the successes. Keep a notebook handy and record what you accomplish each day, these triumphs can be both small and large. Things that you are proud of, or something you've learned. It's most revealing to see all the good things that happen, joyful moments that you had previously overlooked or taken for granted.
2. MEDITATION Set aside time to quiet your mind. Even if you only have a few minutes, you can quickly deescalate stress by bringing yourself back to center. I have found what I call "meditation mini's 3x3" to be very effective. These are three minute calming moments, three times a day. often, my first mini, is before I even put my feet on the ground in the morning, I take time to focus my mind on peace, calm and my positive intent for the day.
Here is a brief explanation of how these meditation moments can work for you. find a comfortable position, if you can.. lie down, if only a sitting position is available, lay your head back, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing, take normal breaths through your nose. Think only on the breath, how it feels as you draw it in. When you inhale..think of a positive calming word such as; peace, calm, love, quiet, etc. As you exhale, let all the stress go out with it. When other thoughts drift in to distract, imagine an open window in your mind and let them drift out the window so you can return to your present state of mind. There is an incredible calming that takes place when we take just three minutes to quiet our mind.
3. MOVE. I know, you’re thinking.,, oh yeah here it comes... the exercise bit..For a lot of people this is a mountain that seems too hard to climb. But I cannot emphasize enough the importance not only to your body, but for your mood and attitude and also the impact it has to strengthen our brain!
Studies
have shown that exercise causes your nerve cells
to multiply and strengthen helping to shield them
from wear and tear by promoting nerve-protecting compounds. There’s more!!
Exercise increases blood flow to your brain and improves the development of
neurons, which keeps our brain functioning at its optimum levels.
Exercise alters our mood as serotonin levels rise and endorphins kick in. It may be tough to begin the habit, but before long you will find it oh so sweet and you’ll wonder how you ever did without it!
4. GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO LET YOURSELF OFF THE HOOK..
Take a hard look at the busyness of your life… If life were a plate of food would it look like thanksgiving dinner..Piled high, spilling over on the edges so you have to carefully walk a balancing act so you don't lose half the meal on the way to the table.. Give yourself permission to make some changes. Are there negotiable items on your plate? If there are, and they are causing unnecessary stress...REMOVE them. Be okay with saying NO, or delegating, or re-scheduling some not quite so important things to another time or season.
5. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. When we get stressed out, we tend to focus on what isn’t working, we dwell on what’s undone, or what’s all messed up. Gratitude shifts our thinking, brings in a new perspective and improves our attitude. Keep a gratitude journal. It helps to take time to pause, ponder and record the good in our lives.
Another effective way to cultivate gratitude, is to take time before your rise to name three things you are grateful for, then before you drift of to sleep, re account the day think of three things that took place in your day that put a smile on your face. Be thankful for blessings, your spirit will glow as you take just a few moments to jot a thought or two.
Until next time, take good care,
Nancy
