The simplest practices can impart the greatest gifts. Read my seven foundations & start fostering health, mindfully, this very moment.
1. Create moments of presence and relaxation to allow for healing, repair and stress relief
Bring your attention to your breath, meditate by joining a class or simply focus on what it is that you are currently doing at that time. For example, be mindful of chewing when eating. Come back to yourself and from that space act, living purposefully rather than by default or reaction.
2. Words to live by “The Four Agreements” a book by Don Miguel Ruiz:
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
3. Become mindful of breathing.
Through the nose, mouth closed and deep diaphragmatic breathing. Healthy breathing offers oxygenation for energy, detoxification and regulating acid/alkaline pH. Overcome factors that inhibit healthy breathing such as sinusitis, excess mucous, hayfever, allergies, snoring or sleep apnoea. Walk amongst trees or through a park: plants breathe out the oxygen we breathe in, they are our partners in life. They breathe in Co2 that we breathe out. Be mindful of what you are inhaling: remove yourself from toxic smells or chemicals. Look at the ingredients of products you use: beauty, cleaning and environmental.
4. Hydrate for energy, detoxification, absorption, lubrication and inflammation
3% of your body weight = the number of liters required per day. Drink more if exercising. Filtered tap water, spring water or herbal teas are best. Drink 1 glass upon rising, 1 before breakfast, 1 before lunch, 1 before dinner and 1 cup before bed. Drink another 3 cups in between meals.
5. Eat nutrient dense, clean whole foods by:
- Considering the source of your food: health of plant, animal, soil, farming. Organic, biodynamic, pastured, wild, natural and chemical free.
- Considering the process or preparation methods in order to preserve nutrients in food and enhance digestibility. Avoid processed and chemical additives.
- Eating what we have evolved to eat, both plant and animal.
- Chewing food until liquid and eating in a relaxed state. Taking time to eliminate well.
6. Move your body
For circulation, oxygenation, detoxification, fitness, leanness, flexibility and energy. Not only does it foster happiness, but self-confidence and strength (physical & mental).
Avoid over exercising & be considerate of injuries, poor posture or underlying stress – don’t compound the problem!
7. Create a healthy/sleep wake cycle
Wind down with the sun, sleep by 10pm and wake at sunrise for restoration and rejuvenation of the body.
Create a sleep/wake cycle that includes what you’d like to achieve in a day: daily meditation or breathing, rest, exercise, family time, hobbies, creativity, connection with nature, sourcing, preparing and eating food, sleeping, relationship time, bathing, washing, cleansing, socialising, working and playing. Take time to look at your 24-hour day and see what you’d like to create for yourself. Keep a daily rhythm and life will feel abundant and beautiful.
These tips are not radical nor do they require great feats of self-discipline, rather they are simple, everyday habits that can amount to exuberant health. Don’t wait for tomorrow – start living consciously & mindfully, today.
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