The secret to longevity is to live well. By gradually adopting good habits, you will amplify a sense of structure in your day and a sense of achievement within your life.
DAILY PRACTICES TO ENHANCE YOUR WELLBEING.
Establishing rituals around your habits brings a specialness to what you do; a sacred invitation to begin. For instance lighting candles for a bath, or a single flame for meditation, setting the table, saying grace before a meal or bowing your head for prayer will signify an intention to begin.
In our modern world there’s so much ‘stuff’ to deal with on a continual basis, so it’s vital to schedule exclusive time to yourself each day. This will bring a sense of pleasure, peace and accomplishment to your life, while negating the dangerous and cumulative effects of stress. While spontaneity is the spice of life, establishing healthy habits and patterns is the framework for success and satisfaction. They provide us with a sense of purpose and the repetition of a habit builds shakti or energy, bringing us a sense of fulfilment.
In a time-poor society, work-life balance is important and will ultimately provide you with more freedom and happiness. You have the power to change the way your life looks and feels. Break the cycle. Start today.
Breathe consciously
When we learn to control our breath we control our minds. Breathing brings life to our physicality so learn to breathe effectively. Close your eyes and withdraw from the world around you. Come home to yourself. Breathe in deeply, expand your lungs slowly, and exhale. Relax. With each inhalation, notice your breath nourishing your lungs and with each exhalation relax a little more deeply. Let go.
When possible go outside in nature and go bare feet on the earth. Smell the fresh air and be truly thankful for it. For breath is life.
Move your body
One step at a time, move towards fitness. Exercise is addictive; the feel-good endorphins will have you coming back for more. Staying physically active is the most important ingredient to ageing well. That said there’s no time to waste. Movement begins with a mindset
Quite meditation
With a calm, clear mind, the debris of a cluttered, disorganised life falls away leaving behind what’s important. A meditation practice encourages us to take time out, to pause, to get grounded, to find peace and to realise what really matters. When you close your eyes, delight in the vastness within yourself, explore, go deep, stay awhile. The more time spent in quiet contemplation, the more shall be revealed.
Visualisations and positive affirmations will make your meditation practice more potent. Keep a journal handy and give life to your thoughts in the moments after with the power of intention or sankulpa; journaling actually reduces stress promoting greater wellbeing. Create a vision for how you want your life to look. Get really clear on what you want. Make an action plan. Go for it. Chase your wildest dreams and that which sets your soul on fire.
Eat well and hydrate
Become aware of the food you eat and drink and begin to question what you are putting into your mouth. We literally are what we eat. Knowing that every 28 days our cells turn over, would you choose to be made of delicious, vital, non- GMO organic fresh food or processed artificial products, loaded with additives and wrapped up in plastic? Drink plenty of water to flush toxins and inflammation from your body.
Sleep enough
A good night’s sleep is an essential part of our wellbeing. Positively impacting cellular repair, immunity and relaxation it does wonders for our mood, focus, productivity, creativity, mental and physical health and of course our beauty. Set a regular bedtime where possible, avoid screen time close to lights out, try reading a book instead and cuddle if you can. Sweet dreams.
Practice gratitude
Gratitude was often quoted by the ancient philosophers: As Marcus Aurelius said: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” Recent studies suggest that grateful people are happier, healthier, better rested, more motivated to exercise and enjoy better relationships; that gratitude is actually good for our health.
Life is our greatest gift after all. Cherish it.