Spring / New Year

Spring is a good time of year to clean, not only your home, but your lifestyle. 

To clean up your routine.

And to let go of practices that aren’t serving you.

 

I have always said the real “new year” is in the spring. 

Now is the time for new year resolutions and to make changes. 

And the renewal energy of spring will support you.

 

Are you struggling to sleep?

Do you always feel rushed?

Are you dragging your feet most of the time?

Do you find it hard to concentrate?

 

Call it insomnia, depression, anxiety, ADD, burnout, ….

 

These are all indications that your nervous system needs support.

 

While there are many supplements and herbs that can help support your nervous system. 

Letting go of bad habits are the first step. 

 

Rather than tell you all the things you need to stop doing… here are a few things to do instead.

 

#1 GO OUTSIDE 

• For the first 5min in the morning. Look up at the sun. Listen to the birds. Greet the day. Without looking down at your phone. 
• Before bed, go outside again 5min. Gaze at the moon and stars. Listen to the noises or quiet of your neighbourhood. Again without the phone.

 

** Sleep issues have skyrocketed since the introduction of smartphones. A phone should not be the last thing you see/hear before sleep, and the first thing you experience on waking**

 

#2 EAT CONSCIOUSLY

• Experience your food with all 5 of your senses at least once a day.
• Sit, - identify/name each sensory experience of your food.
• The smell, sound, sight, taste and feel.
• Offer gratitude for the experience of eating.

 

** Many digestive issues are due to not activating rest and digest mode when eating, which requires that we get out of our heads, and into our bodies. The 5 senses practice is a quick way to get into parasympathetic or rest/digest mode at mealtime.**

 

#3 SCHEDULE THE THING

• What have you always wanted to be doing, but haven’t started yet?
• Schedule it like you would work or school or any other commitment. 
• The first few times, it may be hard to start the thing.. but then it will become part of your routine. And you’ll look forward to it.

 

** All work and no play, makes life not only dull, but very unhealthy. And your nervous system will not have the capacity to keep going, if you don’t give it a break. It can be a 15min walk at lunch, or a 10min doodling break, or an hour of painting.. whatever it is, find space in your day. *

Then, be kind to yourself. 

 

It is a crazy time to be alive. We are bombarded with messages that we are not enough, that the world is terrible, and that we are not safe…

Its important now more than ever, to practice self-compassion and kindness. 

 

You are amazing.

The world is beautiful.

And you are safe.

Take good care of yourselves.

And enjoy your new year/spring season.