What are you doing to support your self care at this time? As we are surrounded by tension and fear, it is great to have personal practices that support you during this period of uncertainty. It may be a walk in nature, a cup of tea or a warm bath. It is important that we create at least 30 minutes a day for self care rituals.
We know that meditation has many benefits, like a sleep for the mind it can help to reduce stress, tension and fatique. More importantly it can help us sleep well at night. For me, a bad night of sleep and I cannot function at all.
Below are a few tips for sleeping well from Chelsea Pottenger EQ an accredited mindfulness and meditation coach, a psychology student, a proud ambassador for mental health charities including R u Ok? and The Gidget Foundation and an authority on mindfulness.
SLEEP CHECK LIST
- journal a gratitude list before bed
- avoid all screens 30 minutes before bed
- Try a guided sleep meditation
- practice 6 deep diaphragmatic breaths before bed
- exercise 30 minutes during the day
- avoid all caffeine after 2pm
- try epsom salts in your bath or have a warm shower before bed
- do some light stretching 30 minutes before bed
- wear an eyemask to eliminate light
- use lavender to enhance your slumber
Here is a beautiful guided meditation from Chelsea to help with sleep.
Mandala Living have both mini and reviver lavender filled eyepillows to help you relax at this time. The eye pillows are filled with essential oils, dried lavender and flaxseed. They are designed to stimulate the vagus nerve by applying light pressure on your eyes. This triggers a relax that lowers your heart rate and regulates your mood, allowing your body and mind to rest. Flaxseeds are naturally cooling and gently form to your face, just breathe in the oils and let go of the stress. They can be used at bedtime, while traveling, during yoga, to help relieve a headache or when you simply need a quiet moment of meditation.
Doing an activity with your hands can also be very calming for the mind. Mindful sewing is another meditation tool.
I have collaborated with Sewing with Kate to bring you the DIY Sashiko Reviver Eye Pillow. This is the perfect project for beginners who want to try this mindful craft and make a beautiful luxe eye pillow in the process.
What is Sashiko?
Sashiko is an ancient form of Japanese embroidery which dates back to the 1600’s. It was originally used as a mending technique to reinforce seams and mend worn fabric. Sashiko is also a slow process and encourages calm and conscious sewing. To order your kit to create your own Sashiko eyepillow check out Sewing with Kate.
For some of us, sitting in stillness for a daily mediation practice can be difficult. The good news is there are other methods we can try to help us relax, activities that can be meditative and good for our wellbeing. It might be swimming in the ocean, cooking, reading, going for a walk or journalling.
Create space for you to relax today.
love tara
