Daily Routines

SETTING UP YOUR DAY

Getting out of the wrong side of baed is a phrase awarded to those who are not at their best. Perhaps lifestyle – stress, coupled with poor diet, over-indulgence of the wrong food types, plus late nights and lack of sleep are contributing factors. Or maybe negative thoughts and holding patterns may be contributing to a depressed mood. If the mornings are usually a struggle, there may a number of things that need to change.

Likely, if mornings are not the best time for you, becoming a member of the 5am club is something out of the question. So making the most of the remaining time throughout our day is where we can optimise on developing body, mind and spirit.

The best time to focus on ourselves, is when we are ready to do so – be that early in the morning, late in the evening or any time in between. The key is to factor-in this time for ourselves. We can even practice yoga mindfulness while on-the-go. 

You Make Your Own Bed

From the moment we wake, until the last moments before sleep, we are influenced by our environment. From the sounds of the birds singing, the wind in the trees, curtains blowing, sounds of the sea – or the traffic on the streets. Our senses are picking up the movements all around us. Recalling any dreams and the first deep conscious breaths, we open our eyes to the place we've rested. How does it look? This is our space for rest. Ideally, clothes are tidily hung up, pictures of inspirational art adorn the walls, with loved ones in frames on the dresser. If this isn't the way your place of rest looks, perhaps work on how to improve the waking environment. 

We are faced with choices every waking moment. We are sentient beings. We don't have to follow anyone else's path, nor take anything in our lives which does not serve us – so in a place where we spend at least a third of our day (and lives), we should make the efforts to make it a temple of health, love and rejuvenation.

Whatever the day throws at us, there's always a place to lay ur heads. No matter how humble this space is – even if simply a pillow – we have a choice to make the best of this space, for when we really need it. It needs to be inviting. Therefore, the most important thing to do upon waking, is to make the bed. Fluff the pillows, smooth down the sheets and prepare. Know that this waits for you, no matter what challenges we face.  

Defining a Path
Sadhana means following a daily spiritual  practice. It's about intentions and connection to your true self. By investing merely 15 minutes per day, we can all enhance and evolve, to attain success in our person development along the journey of life.

Everything Is Yoga
We needn't rush to a yoga studio for our daily practice. There's a multitude off ways to practice yoga – at home, in a park, fully dressed, in all weathers – even while walking. Time should never be a barrier for 'gifting' ourselves a daily 10 minute yoga and mindfulness window. 

To practice yoga, Qi Gong or Mindfulness Breathing - the same benefits can be felt while driving, cleaning the house or sat at our desk. Find a quiet place (put earphones in). Set a timer for 2-20 minutes and choose movement or stillness – or stillness whilst moving.

Exercise On The Go

All movement is exercise. We burn less calories whist sitting. So stand up as much as possible. Riding on public transport, getting off a stop early or walking back part of the journey, taking the stairs and making each step count, will help burn  more calories and flush the system. 

The simplest way to raise heart rate, is through walking fast – double the normal pace at around 3.5-4mph. Taking mindful steps, engaging stabiliser muscles while making longer strides, running up stairs or taking core-strengthening lunges two at a time – this is a very low-impact and effective work-out. For extra workout, carry a heavy bag.

Night Time Routines

Eating at the right times, having light meals in the evening and ensuring we allow enough time to digest before bed, will give us the greater chances of a restful night's sleep. We should avoid alcohol late in the evening, switch off all blue-light emitting TVs/monitors/screens and make time for 10-15 minutes to check-in with the day's achievements, plan the following day and wind down the mind – parking any thoughts about work, unfinished tasks or other commitments.

Mindfulness practices throughout the day, especially planning the type of day we want, the food we deire eating and the times we intend to exercise, eat and retire, are how we ensure there's no getting out of bed on the wrong side ever again.

Original link to FFC blog post here.