Slowing down so we can hear more?

Anyone else feeling out of control?

In 2020 we slowed, stopped, as a society we paused all except ‘essential’ activities and were forced to lead a simple life (which many of us actually enjoyed)

This year has been hectic. The days and weeks are flying past and I feel like I am running through the year. Not wanting to be ‘Busy’ saying to people ‘life feels a little crazy just now’ ‘I can catch up with you in a few months”’ I know I am not alone, I have had people mention to me they want to go back to the slower days of 2020. One girlfriend loved being in iso for 2 weeks in the sanctuary of her own home with space to think, plan and re assess. She said she felt clearer and more creative.

If you follow my page on instagram or facebook you will know that this has been a challenging time for me. In all the busyness of life, I let slip doing some of the things that support me to feel balanced in my life. I woke a few times with chest pains in the night, and thought I might have been having a heart attack. Luckily the ECG came back all clear, but it was a warning sign for me to stop, and look at what was going on.

The human body really is incredible, when we take the time to listen to the signals that our body gives us along the way. I have always loved yin yoga for this reason too. We hold the pose for a few minutes, eyes shut down so we close off our sight and feel into the pose, listen for the signals from our body, then enjoy the space between ‘the rebound’ for our body to rebalance.

Controlled breathing is a really good way to curb the physical symptoms of anxiety? Breathing deeply and slowly activates a powerful part of the nervous system responsible for resetting the body to its pre-anxiety state. There are many good breathing techniques. Find one that you like.

So I am having a mindful May, to RESET and SLOW DOWN.

Here are some of the things that I find are helping me

  • Exercise first thing in the morning
  • No screens before bed
  • In bed before 9pm
  • No refined sugar
  • A break from alcohol
  • Journaling
  • Reading
  • Cooking and eating nourishing meals
  • Daily meditation
  • Yoga
  • Time in nature
  • Talking to a friend
  • Quiet time in the sun
  • Quick dip in the ocean
  • Enjoying a relaxing herbal tea
  • A massage
  • A bath
  • Kinesiology
  • Rubbing essential oils into my feet before bed

Most importantly being KIND to myself, learning to SAY NO, and listening to my body. When I am tired, REST. So a friendly reminder to listen out for the messages from your body, be KIND to yourself.

Here is a little breathing exercise from our friends at Ikou, (www.ikou.com) a beautiful Australian brand who make divine oils to help you relax at home.

Love Tara.