Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Remodel Your Daily Routine
Begin this blog post by envisioning a version of your best self. This Self Affirmation practice will help you develop personalized affirmations that work for you. Let’s begin:
The arrival of Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. Because of this, many of us are motivated to change our lives, such as our habits and daily routines. Depending on what part of the country you live in, your daily routine in the Spring is quite different from that in the Winter. What worked in the dead of Winter might not be best for Spring and Summer. For example, it might be time to swap out that workout at the gym for something outdoors. The arrival of Spring means that Winter is finally behind us for another year, and life will soon be in bloom wherever you look. Even taking little steps to organize your life will help you reach your goals, because a little can go a long way. Here are just a few ideas for consideration for your daily routine.
Practice a Mindful Morning
Mindful mornings are intentionally curated to help alleviate stress and start your day fresh. Designing our mornings to prepare us for the challenges that come our way during the day is possible. Here are a couple of activities to consider for your morning routine remodel:
Morning Stretch - How we start the day can make a big difference in how the rest of the day goes. This simple exercise stretches and relaxes your muscles after a good night’s sleep. When you start your day like this, you’ll help minimize tension for the rest of the day and prepare your mind and body. Take a look at the Morning Stretch lesson below.
Breathe in the Morning - As you wake your body, take a moment to consider what you are grateful for…breathing in all the potential for this day. When you are ready, begin by sitting on your bed or moving to a comfortable chair. Next, inhale through your nose for a count of four. Now, hold your breath for a count of seven, and then exhale through your mouth for eight. Complete as many rounds of the breathing exercise that serve you. If these counts don’t work for you, substitute a count that does. You may need to work up to this 4-7-8 breathing exercise.
Breaks Throughout the Day
Many of us work through the day with few breaks, thinking this gets a lot done. However, even a few short breaks can make you much more productive, energized, creative, and less stressed. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Giving yourself time from your electronic devices is a healthy and refreshing break we all need. For your “no-device” practice, determine an activity that you want to be more focused on and present. Being present is like any other skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll stay in the moment. You might even note that activity on your calendar for the future to remind you when that opportunity presents itself.
Music meditation is an easy way to train attention and is often a favorite for beginners. However, even long-time meditators find it enjoyable and a way to relax and refresh. Find a time when you’re prepared to listen and will not be interrupted, then put on your favorite music.
Power Down from the Day
In many ways, we’re just like our electronic devices, but our power-down process results in having a good night’s sleep. One of the best ways to do this is to establish a power-down protocol for your mind and body. Turning off worries from the day and shutting off your brain's problem-solving process is essential for a good night’s rest.
One simple way you can power down is to begin a self-reflection practice. In its simplest form, self-reflection is asking yourself thought-provoking questions to develop a deeper level of understanding about yourself. Your practice doesn’t have to be structured or something we do out of obligation, but it is a time to clear your mind from the daily whirl of activities. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our purpose, relationships, and values at the end of the day. It is not ruminating and worrying, nor a time to engage in unproductive self-criticism. It is a time to reflect on the “big picture,” gain perspective, and help release useless emotions.
As you begin your self-reflection experience, remember that the goal is exploration, not necessarily finding solutions. It’s an opportunity to explore who you are.
This course provides 70 mindfulness lessons.
CLICK HERE
To help you on your journey, we are offering our most popular course to individuals, Learning to Thrive. Previously, this course was only available to organizations, colleges, and universities. This course provides 70 lessons on controlling stress and anxiety, improving your happiness quotient , finding meaning and purpose, building relationships, and many more. It is designed for busy people like you, with lessons ranging from three to five minutes, which can be assessed by computer, pad, or phone.
Click here to learn more and receive an introductory price of $49.95.
Use code SPRINGCLEAN2024 for 50% off of the purchase price!. Hopefully, you find this discount what you need to get the most from your life. Not ready to commit? Find a sample course for free available here.
We hope you are enjoying our Spring Cleaning for the Soul journey. To sign up to receive our weekly blogs signup here.
