This is a time of the year when many of us are starting new things: a new school year for students and teachers, the last half of the year for corporations, the end of the summer, and the beginning of fall, to name a few. As the weather begins to change and our routines become busier, it is important to remember to take excellent care of yourself so you can be and do your best. This means being mindful of what you need. You can get the best grades in school, do a great job at work or home, and accomplish your goals, no matter how lofty they may be, as long as you remember to nurture good health, create a calm and focused mind, and build healthy relationships that are mutually supportive. Here are 4 ways to feel healthy, calm and focused:
Take Time to Breathe
It may sound funny, but many of us forget to breathe, or we don’t breathe deeply enough to fuel our brains and the rest of our bodies. At least once an hour, take a full minute to breathe deeply in and out. Close your eyes and inhale through your nose to the count of 5, picturing the air filling your heart area. Hold it for the count of 3, and then exhale slowly through your mouth to the count of 5, letting your muscles release a bit more each time. Do four of five breathing sets in a minute. You can set your phone or your watch alarm to go off once an hour to remind you to literally take a breather. If you’re in a meeting or in the classroom, invite everyone in the room to take a one-minute breather with you. It can really make a difference in the energy and focus in the room.
Connect With the Earth to Get Grounded
When you are feeling at lose ends and you want the comfort of a solid foundation, get grounded by touching the earth beneath your feet. Studies have proven that “Grounding” or “Earthing” calms your system by neutralizing the frenetic free radicals that bounce around inside your body. Getting in direct contact with the earth energizes you like a battery. It can heal and strengthen your immune system, reduce inflammation, decrease anxiety and depression, and enhance your overall wellbeing. Spending just 10 minutes a day barefoot on the grass or gardening with your bare hands in toxic-free soil, rejuvenates your body, mind, and soul. For further information about earthing, check out the following links: http://www.earthinginstitute.net/ or http://www.intuition-physician.com/behind-the-scenes-on-location-with-the-grounded-movie/dsc_0277/
Wash Away Stress
Water has a similar impact as earthing on your whole being. The calming negative ions that water produces replace the anxiety provoking positive ions that stress our bodies. Do yourself a kindness and take a walk along the shoreline of a lake or ocean, making sure to get your feet in the water. Take a nice relaxing bath or shower to wash away stress. Or soak your feet in a basin of warm water at the end of a busy day. Studies show that all of these will noticeably improve your mood and decrease stress.
Surround Yourself with People Who Bring Out the Best in You
We are all made up of energy, which we use to live, create, and connect. For those who are tuned into the waxing and waning of energy, you can feel quite clearly who around you gives energy and who drains energy. We all do both at some time or another; we are only human. But it should be our aim to manage our own energy in such a way that it adds to the world around us rather than taking away from it. Understanding this, you can choose to be around people that you naturally energize and who bring out the best in you, the majority of the time. Avoid, but resist judging, people around whom you feel chronically drained.
When you practice each of these on a regular basis, you will find more comfort, focus, and energy to be and do your best.