Making mindfulness work for you and your loved ones.
You’re home. But so is your partner. And oh, the kids and the dog too. Can you recall the last time we were all home together for this long? Me neither.
For some, we are loving this new way of living and working. More time to work on personal projects, finishing reading a book or binging on all the shows. For others, we’re facing the new reality of being with our loved ones for 24 hours. This can be tough if we’ve been used to having our refuges to run to. The gym. Yoga class. Happy hour. The coffee shop. Church...
So what do we do? We CREATE it.
Create the calm you need despite what’s happening in the world. We’re taking the art of mindfulness and making it work for us in our homes and families.
Here’s a few ways that you can try right now:
Be Present in the Mundane
Washing the dishes multiple times a day? Laundry? Set the phone down and be fully present in these tasks. Notice the movement and pay attention to the rhythm and flow of how you move.
6 Senses Game
This is perfect for when you’re at the dinner table or sitting in the living room. Include the people around you to play the game. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you smell? What do you taste? How do you feel in this moment?
Mindful Movement through Mirroring
A great movement activity for those with small children, but works for all ages!
One person is a leader and one person is a follower.
The leader moves freely (traveling in space, moving their body) slow enough that the follower can mirror their exact movement. It’s a super fun way to move the body and practice mindfulness. Bonus: Turn on some fun tunes!
Breathe with Someone
Are you with another adult? Sit facing each other. Place one hand on their heart. Have them place their hand on yours. Start to slow down the breath. Notice the rise and fall of the chest. The expansion in the belly. After a few breaths, you may notice you’re breathing in sync.
With a small child? Sit back to back. Hip bones aligned. Backs straight. Start to breathe together. Bonus: Stretch your torso forward and backwards.
The Bathroom is your Sacred Space
Yep. The toilet offers plenty of time to work on breathing with some peace and quiet. In the shower, be fully present to all the sensations: the water, the temperature, the sounds, how it feels on your skin.
Consume Positivity & Encouragement
Mute certain people if you need to. Don’t scroll too far on Facebook. Follow people who uplift, encourage and inspire you. Don’t let social media dictate how you will feel. Remember, you set the tone for how your day goes.
Back to the Body
Bring attention to some grounding focal points. Your feet. Your hands. Your breath. Your fingers. Breathe ease into the places that feel tight or stressed. Give yourself a hug or a self massage.
Start and End your day with Gratitude.
Write it out. It’s so powerful to see your handwriting and say out loud what it is you’re grateful for. Get specific.
Bonus: Add how you have contributed to that thing/person you’re grateful for.
Cultivate a New Morning Routine
Our lifestyle has shifted. We’re adapting to new ways of living and being. Create a morning routine that feels good and gets you pumped for the day. It doesn’t mean having to wake up at 5AM, but it does require some thought and intentionality. Maybe still use your work travel mug and set regular work hours for yourself. Try different things until you find something that sticks and feels right to you.
Decompress through Art
Now is the time to pick up that old hobby! Or maybe start a new one! The options are endless. Take advantage of all the FREE courses and training we have online right now. Learn how to draw, design, dance. Or learn a new language! Create your new world.
We can agree our timelines are flooded with news updates, crazy headlines, sadness. My friend, do not let your timeline dictate how you feel today. There is a lot that can keep us worried, but there is also a lot we have control over. Our energy. Our attitude. We can respond instead of react. Let’s spread the love and positivity we all need.
Now is the time to encourage, serve and support. How can you show up for others today? And most importantly, how can you show up for YOU today?
Love & Light,
Lauren 🌻