Keep Your Cool

In a world of busy and “too much” (inspired by Tony Crabbe) – it’s easy to get lost under piles of work, social events, and honestly, even yourself. Below are some ways for you to slow down, stay calm, and re-center yourself, because we both know you need it.

1. It’s all in the breath; we can get so caught up in everything around us we forget to breathe – you’d think that is something we would’ve mastered by now! Start nice and slow, throughout the day for just a moment or two, take big belly breaths. You can place your hands on your stomach and heart or just stay focused on your breath. Inhale deeply so you feel it in the bottom of your stomach and then slowly relax and exhale. Doing this a couple of times will help reset the mind, get you grounded and reduce anxiety.

2. Start your day with calm. I don’t know who invented the blaring alarm tone on our iphones but that’s definitely not a nice way to wake up from a deep slumber. Switch it up and change your alarm to something a bit more inviting and soothing to gently wake you up – explore your alarm settings and you’ll be sure to find something else you enjoy.

3. Set yourself up for the day. You know all those very impressive people that seem to always have their life together and are energetic in everything they do? They somehow make it to every party, finish every assignment on time, pass exams with flying colors while working like 7 full time jobs and still manage to look fresh AF? It’s all the set-up friends, wake up and plan your day out. Make your list of must dos and want to dos and follow it! Not only will that clear your mental plate of everything, you’ll feel so good checking everything off as the day goes on!

4. Create a solid bedtime routine. Sleep hygiene is so important to ensure good quality sleep. Get into the habit of doing 1-3 things that help you unwind before bed. This will allow you to create a mental cue of when it’s time to stop and get ready for rest and recovery. Your routine does not have to be crazy – keep it nice and simple by committing to something like the following:

· Commit to a 2-3 minute stretch before bed

· Keep a regular skin/oral hygiene routine

· Easy reading

· Meditating (start with 5 minutes)

· Light some candles or turn your lamp on low lighting to create a soothing atmosphere

· Incorporate essential oils to reap the benefits of aromatherapy

· No screen time for up to an hour or 30 mins before bed

5. Lastly, stop judging yourself and constantly criticizing your every move. Practice kindness towards yourself and express gratitude for all the amazing things you are. Starting off your day thanking yourself, your body and mind will lighten your mood and encourage you to get things done without stressing about it. Easier said than done, but practicing and building this habit will open you up to so many more possibilities and have you seeing the world in a different light.

Nothing has to be difficult if you don’t want it to be. Taking things slow and steady is the best way to ensure sustainability in anything your practice. Hopefully these tips can support you and your wellness, slow you down and take off some unnecessary stress.

Don’t forget - balance is everything.