Make Time for Yourself…

When was the last time you switched off all the social media, took a deep breath and focused on yourself? I know. It’s an unusual question. But we spend so much time and energy on our work and the stresses of modern life that we forget to check in with the state of our personal health and wellbeing. It’s as if we forget who we are and how we’re really feeling. But this is one of the most important exercises we can conduct in the quest for a healthier, happier and more naturally balanced way of living. Developing a better awareness of how your body is responding to the pressures and strains of your daily life is a perfect way to interrupt the old patterns of stress that can lead to exhaustion, burnout or depression. So, what should we notice about our bodies that could reveal how we’re feeling?

Let’s start with your shoulder position. We’re hardwired as a species to adjust our posture according to how we feel. When your shoulders are hunched and sloping forwards, this is a primal defensive reaction that aims to protect us against a possible blow from an attacker or predator. Even when there’s no physical danger, this is how most people hold themselves today and we know that the tension in our muscles reinforces our sense of fear. It’s time to dial down the stress, release your shoulders, breathe more deeply and unlock the tension in your jaw muscles. These simple steps are powerfully effective in adjusting your blood pressure and turning down your anxiety.

It could also be a good time for you to remind yourself of the things that really bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. Expressing your talents and encouraging your creative abilities can bring enormous satisfaction to your life. The key is to make time for these activities rather than dismissing them as unimportant and postponing the opportunity to enhance your wellbeing. Seize the moment. Seize the day. Acknowledge that you have the power to choose how to improve the quality of your life and that your needs are as relevant as everybody else’s interests. Improve your fitness. Take a few minutes to meditate. Pause to enjoy the experience of being alive and savour the miracle of your senses as you breathe more deeply and appreciate the wonders that surround you. Let this simple experience slip gently into your daily routine and discover the benefits of turning down your stress and turning up your feeling of being gloriously alive at this magical time in the course of human evolution.

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