Summer is here and with it, the good weather, the desire to be outside enjoying nature, the sun, meals outdoors; in short, it seems to be the time to enjoy “the outside”, and this often means that without realizing it, we forget a little bit about “the inside”; so if you don’t want to leave yourself aside, I propose 10 simple practices that will help you connect with yourself, even when you’re on holidays.
1. Say thank you
As soon as you wake up say THANK YOU.
Welcome the new day. Appreciate the new opportunity you have to be the way you want to be, to do what you really want to do.
Be aware, that everything you have planned for this new day, is the result of the choices you have done in the past, assume that responsibility, and live your day fully.
Thanks all you have, family, friends, health…. Observe how lucky you are!!
2. Breathe
You know that breathing is more important than eating, if not, try to hold your breath for a few minutes! …. So,… before having your breakfast have your breathe!.
As you get out of bed, open the windows, let the fresh air in, allow renewed air and new energy fill your lungs! Make a few deep breaths, feeling the air coming in, feeling that connection that occurs deep within you when you breathe consciously. Take a few minutes and breathe, breathe …
Breathing has many benefits for your body, your cells are oxygenated and burn toxins better, your abdominal organs are massaged to improve its performance, blood circulation is stimulated.
At a more subtle level, we are filled with prana, energy, and your body regenerates and rejuvenates, what else can you ask for?
3. Stretch yourself
And then …. Stretch yourself!
It is time to stretch your body. Slowly, giving you time to leave the rest mood. Observe, feel the changes that occur in your body when you do those early stretches. Enjoy them!
In your daily activities and when you move, your muscles tend to contract. However, when you stretch, it happens the opposite, and you help your muscle lengthen and get back to its normal length.
In addition, you help your muscle to drain dirty blood and refill with the clean and renovated fluid.
4. Watch your diet
You’re ready for breakfast now!
Go to the kitchen and choose the most suitable food for you. Surely, you know what is best for you and you’re probably aware of what you should eat and what you should avoid. If not, this may be a good time to start making changes.
Food not only nourishes you, it also charges you with energy. If you make the right choices, you will feel lighter, more energized, more alive!
The food also has a subtle effect on our mind, a natural diet based on fresh, light and nutritious food will keep your mind sharp, clear and calm.
5. Smile
Time to go to the bathroom!.
Look at yourself in the mirror and SMILE.
Smiling is one of the best therapies for the heart. When you smile is impossible to feel down. Try to get angry with a smile on your lips… it’s impossible!.
And once you’ve started the day smiling at yourself why not keep smiling at other people? Laughter is contagious; imagine the amount of people who can smile thanks to you…. Have you heard of the butterfly effect?.
And if that does not convince you, you might want to smile for exercise. When you smile, you move more than 400 muscles, including some stomach muscles which only move with laughter.
In addition, laughter relaxes and makes you see the positive side of things. What better way to start the day!
6. Enjoy what you do
Let’s go outside! Whatever you have to do, just ENJOY it!.
No need to wait for the holidays to enjoy a good day.
Focus on what you do, observe how you act, how you do things, be present. It is important that you realize how you function, how to react to stimuli, how you feel about things. This way you’ll be able to make decisions in a more conscious way.
Remember “Success is being able to take decisions, to take the step“.
So do not waste time thinking about what you’re going to do later, live the moment and do what you have to do, the best you can, that should be enough to make you feel good!
7. Exercise
You finish work and the sun is still well up!. Take advantage of it!
Do some type of exercise, do asanas, walk in the fields, run, go to the beach and stroll along the shore, swim in the sea, fill yourself with energy!
Choose places with clean air and the countryside, if possible. The mountains and coastal areas with moving water seem to have a higher amount of negative ions, making these places, more invigorating, filling you with energy.
8. Share your time
You probably still have some time to be with others.
Surround yourself with people with whom you can enjoy a few moments of conversation and good company.
Surely there is someone who is grateful to be with you, open up to others, share your time!.
Sharing is an expression of love, and love makes us feel good!
9. Meditate
Once back home, and before bedtime, give yourself a few minutes of serenity and meditate.
Sit, breathe deeply, focus your mind, and stay there for a while. You’ve spent the day “outside”, now it is time to return to your “inside”. Even if you sit for just a few minutes, you will notice the peace that these minutes bring to your mind and your emotions.
Meditation helps reduce negative thoughts and quiets the mind. If you learn to direct your attention inward, you will discover how to live in peace with yourself and with others.
10. Rest
It’s time to rest.
Even in summer try to set a rhythm to your day. Your body will thank the routine, early dinners, going to bed at the same time …
When you are asleep and relaxed, construction processes occur, renewing your body, improving your immune system; while you sleep, all the energy is dedicated to the regeneration of the body.
So have a good rest …. and … Sweet dreams!
