As we step into March, we are thinking more and more about what we want to create this year. A thought for me is what energy do I want to feel more of this year and what I want to let go of. We open up our mind this month to thinking about the stress in our lives and how we can better learn and also change our relationship to stress. More and more we hear our friends, family, loved ones are "stressed" and the more we hear it the more we just make it our normal. What if I was here to tell you that you don't have to have stress as your normal. Our tips month are all about reducing stress through small mindful changes.
1. Reducing Screen Time
I read a research done in 2014 that in Australia we spend 23.3 hours online a week and it is only increasing since. That's almost a whole a day a week not spending time connecting in real life, not with loved ones, not moving our bodies or in nature. Our is constantly being thrown information and without even knowing we are adding and adding more triggers to our nervous system. Our mind is constantly looking for whats next and where to now, because it is always ONLINE. Reducing the time on our phone allows our mind to find clarity.
NOTE: Choose specific times in your day to just air plane mode your phone and be present with wherever and whoever you are with. (example 6.30pm-8.30pm or putting your phone away from the night at 7pm every day.) Try to avoid being on your phone when spending quality time with others. Find moments in your day when you are on your phone mindlessly and just put it away and BE.
2. Manage Your Time
So often we stress because we haven't planned our day properly. Begin using a diary or a planner in your phone to plan your week and days ahead of time. If you know you have a busy day coming up, plan ahead with things like organising your outfit the night before, organising dinner etc. Plan your month not just on events but ladies, look at when you will be on your cycle and be aware that this is a time you know you may feel a bit more tired than usual and so on. So don't overload your schedule for those days, rather plan some slow mindful self care activities. Don't over extend yourself, I like to keep my days with 2 plans MAX, anything more than that and I feel too overwhelmed and am stressed rather than present.
NOTE:That the days after your cycle is usually when your energy is back up so a great time to plan your social gatherings.
3. Schedule Mindful Moments into your day FOR YOU.
Giving yourself time to just sit without technology, without distraction or a to-do list and just breathe and be. A great way of guided breathing is counting your inhale and exhales. 4-4-6 Breaths. Breathing in and inhale for a count of 4, hold that breath for a count of 4 and exhale for a count of 6. The extended exhale brings our body into a state of calm and into rest and digest mode.
NOTE: Set alarms on your phone for every two hours to go off as reminder for you to just stop what you're doing, close your eyes and take some mindful breaths.
Would love to hear about your self care journey and thoughts below.
Florence xxx