Clear your
Mind
Recently
I’ve been trying to make an extra effort to put myself first. I’ve been taking the time to exercise, take
control of my eating habits, stay hydrated, and get an acceptable amount of
sleep. What I wasn’t prepared for was how
exhausting it is to take care of myself!
Although
I’ve had more energy from drinking my 3 liters of water per day and sticking to
a clean(er) eating lifestyle, I haven’t had the chance to reap the benefits of
my progress. After reflecting upon this, I came to the realization that I’m
missing something – I don’t take a time out.
I
know I’m not the only person who is constantly on the go – and that’s why you
should keep reading!!! This “quiet time” we tend to lack in is surprisingly
important. Meditation is a simple yet
effective way to decompress. By using
this form of relaxation you will improve your health. These improvements will range from sleeping
better to being more emotionally stable and thinking more positively.
By
taking 10-20 minutes out of your day to take a step back and just breathe and
relax can make a huge difference. The
important part about this quiet time is to focus on rhythmic breathing. Shavasana is, the most common yoga term used,
where you lay down with your palms up, legs not touching and with your eyes
closed.
Benefits of taking a “time-out” for yourself:
The
purpose of this activity is to rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit. After practicing shavasana it allows the body
to regroup and reset itself. This sounds
easy and it is FREE!
Additional
benefits:
- a decrease in heart rate and the rate of respiration,
- a decrease in blood pressure,
- a decrease in muscle tension,
- a decrease in metabolic rate and the consumption of oxygen,
- a reduction in general anxiety,
- a reduction in the number and frequency of anxiety attacks,
- an increase in energy levels and in general productivity,
- an improvement in concentration and in memory,
- an increase in focus,
- a decrease in fatigue, coupled with deeper and sounder sleep, and
- improved self-confidence.
Challenge:
I
challenge you to take the time to meditate/reflect for 10-20 minutes at least 3
times a week to start. Once you start
taking this short time out of your day to refocus your mind and body then you
will continue to look forward to this time every day. A great way to remember that you accomplished
this task is to keep a journal of the dates and times or to simply put a star
on your calendar.
References
