We live in a fast-paced world, so much so that it is not uncommon for most of us to live a life constantly on the go…
Running from here to there engaging in one thing after another - at the end of the day, it stops one from being able to just be….
Does getting caught up in all the things you “must do” sound familiar?
Do you tend to magnify the importance of these tasks and before you know it you’re in a panic, living in a constant state of urgency.
You’re not alone!
Living a life constantly plugged in and on the go results in an accumulation of a whole lot of stress and tension ~ physically, mentally and emotionally.
Putting it simply, we forget what it actually feels like to truly relax, rejuvenate, and simply be and enjoy life.
It doesn’t have to be this way!
Below are three simple, yet effective ways to assist you in living a more relaxed and present life.
Include just one of these practices into your daily routine and it will do the trick!
According to a study published by researchers at UCLA a few years ago, using a specific type of yoga “mantra meditation” briefly each day reduced an individuals stress level - causing them to relax. (Source)
How is this even possible?
We already know how effective yoga can be in regards to our health, the problem has always been creating that time for it.
Here is how you can delegate as little as 2 to 10 minutes of your day to improve the quality of your life, health, and happiness.
Yoga really is the answer, how you ask?
By taking out a few minutes of your day to practice the following simple home yoga practices:
Natural breath awareness – 3 minutes on waking in the morning before jumping out of bed can bring you into the present moment
Abdominal breathing – 3 minutes whilst commuting to work on the bus will send a message to the body to relax, physically and mentally
Mantra Om – 5 minutes of chanting before bed will calm the business of the mind and tame anxiety…
The Benefits Are:
Natural Breath Awareness/ Abdominal Breath
Mastering breath awareness gives an individual breath control which is one technique used voluntarily to ease stressful and discomforting situations.
And unlike chest breathing, abdominal breathing involves breathing from your abdomen; this enables an individual to draw air into the deepest parts of their lungs.
This takes relaxation to a whole new level as this can decrease sympathetic(flight and fight) nervous activity, inhibit neural responses (enhance parasympathetic tone – the rest and digest response), improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, limit the effects of stress, improve your physical and mental well-being.
Abdominal breathing has a way of making you happy, as it helps calm the mind, emotions and relaxes mental tension. It also optimizes the performance of the lungs, bloodstream and all the cells of the body, which restores and causes rejuvenation.
Chanting the Mantra Om
Taking out 5 minutes to chant the mantra Om can yield mind-blowing benefits, from the calmness, peace, and purity it brings to the environment, to the tranquillity it ignites within you.
Chanting Om also reduces stress, improves your ability to concentrate and gives you deep relaxation. Not to mention getting you out of the head and into your heart…
Maintaining a healthy life balance in the hustle and bustle of this world we live in can be difficult.
However, it is important that you take time for yourself, and restore your body/mind, by unplugging a little each day.
In doing so you will be more productive, have more energy, feel happier and create more quality time for your family and friends…
Enjoy the practices above. Let me know how you go…
I am also teaching these practices in my quarterly 2-Hour Pop-up Yoga and Meditation Class. The next class will be on December 5. Click here to read more.
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