Recently, I featured an article from Huckberry, entitled, "A Skeptic's Guide to Mindfulness." It starts with the story of a professional athlete with a relationship which was deteriorating. It started affecting his professional life, and soon he found himself spinning out of control. How many times have you felt just like that? Yeah...me too. In order to be your best, you need to be able to take care of mind, body and spirit, and with that in mind, let's go through the top tips from that article.
Atmosphere
I'm a big R&B fan. It started when I was in Junior High, with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, James Ingram, Jeffrey Osbourne and Lionel Richie/The Commodores. Music can make a huge difference in how you see life. Whether you're feeling blue (Miles Davis), or peppy (U2), use music to celebrate where you are at the moment. Use the music to celebrate your thoughts and feelings...but don't go over the top.
Scents can also change the way you see things, as well. My parents always used Ivory dish soap and All Unscented laundry detergent. It was not a scent-filled environment. As soon as I left for college, all that changed. Candles, potpourri, incense and oils are all good ideas to use to push your mood in the right direction. If I feel like I'm getting a cold, it's peppermint or eucalyptus oil. If I'm feeling anxious, it's lavender. Use these tools as part of centering yourself.
Exercise
I always feel better when I exercise. It can be tough to do so during an Iowa winter, though. Make time for yourself to run or walk, lift weights, practice yoga...there are a million ideas for you to engage your body, while being mindful of the positive effects of exercise on your body. Yeah, it may make you feel rough at first...don't overdo it and stick with it. 21 days of doing something becomes a habit. I know someone who works through lunch every single day. They eat at their desk and never take advantage of a track or a trail right outside their door. You need to take care of yourself and value yourself to the point that you're willing to give yourself a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Minimum.
Reflection
Whether you examine the world through a lens or through the tip of a pen, taking the time to put your thoughts into perspective outside of your head is critical. I love my fountain pen. I love writing with it, and try to take time to do so on a regular basis. I recall reading through small tidbits that my grandmothers wrote on a daily basis. Whether it was a note on the weather, "Very cold today. We had to break ice on the troughs," or visitors from out of town, "My cousin came to the farm from town. She brought a new pattern that I may use this Spring," these are snapshots for the sake of posterity. Try it yourself! It doesn't have to be "The Old Man and the Sea." It just have to be your life, your words, your thoughts. In future years, you may look back to recall things you had forgotten. Your descendants will appreciate it, as well.
Photography is another action that is more approachable now than ever because of our cell phones. Recently, Kristina Kelley, my Saturday morning co-host, took a challenge on Facebook. It was multiple days in a row of black-and-white photographs with no explanation. They were striking! SImple moments captured in time offered her friends a glimpse into her life...I found myself waiting for the next photo to appear in my feed and was slightly sad when the challenge was over.
All in all, this is a reminder of the need to take time for yourself. Every day, you can do something to help your mind, body and spirit. Take care of yourself first, and you can better take care of those around you. What are some of the ways you take care of yourself? Answer in the comments and I'll talk about them on the air! First names only :)