Tag: Healthy habits

Embracing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation

Have you ever felt the weight of self-doubt holding you back? You’re not alone. Many of us grapple with the fear of not doing things “right,” especially when it comes to new practices like meditation. 🤔 I remember my first attempt at meditating; I was filled with uncertainty and nervousness. I questioned whether I was doing it correctly and worried about feeling bored or missing the point entirely. But through this journey, I’ve discovered that meditation is not about perfection—it’s about finding what works for you. 🌟

Overcoming Self-Doubt with Meditation 🧘‍♀️

Identifying the Problem

Self-doubt can be a significant barrier to personal growth. It often manifests as anxiety, a scattered mind, or an overwhelming sense of being unable to focus. These feelings can prevent you from fully engaging in activities that promote well-being, like meditation.

Finding the Solution

Meditation has been a transformative tool in overcoming these challenges. Here are some strategies that have helped me, and they might just work for you too:

1. Start Small: Begin with just 5 to 10 minutes a day. This manageable time frame makes it easier to incorporate meditation into your routine without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Use Guided Meditations: Apps like Headspace offer guided sessions that can help you navigate the initial discomfort and uncertainty. These sessions provide structure and support, making it easier to stay focused.

3. Embrace Personalization: Remember, there’s no “right” way to meditate. It’s a personal practice that should feel good for you. Experiment with different techniques until you find what resonates.

4. Practice Patience: Be gentle with yourself. Meditation is a journey, not a destination. Allow yourself the grace to learn and grow at your own pace.

5. Connect Mind and Body: Focus on the connection between your mind and body. This awareness can help you function better throughout the day, reducing anxiety and improving concentration.

The Benefits of Meditation 🌞

Through consistent practice, I’ve experienced numerous benefits that have enhanced my daily life:

– Reduced Anxiety: Meditation has helped me manage anxiety by allowing me to acknowledge my thoughts without judgment. This acceptance makes it easier to let go of negative thoughts and move forward.

– Improved Focus: By taking a few moments to breathe deeply and connect with my surroundings, I’ve found it easier to concentrate on tasks without feeling overwhelmed.

– Enhanced Mindfulness: Meditation has taught me to be present in the moment, whether I’m enjoying a meal, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a walk. This mindfulness has brought a sense of peace and serenity to my life.

Integrating Mindfulness into Daily Life

Mindfulness extends beyond meditation. It’s about being fully present and aware of the current moment without self-judgment. Here are some ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine:

1. Observe Your Surroundings: Take a moment to notice the sounds, sights, and sensations around you. This practice can ground you in the present and reduce stress.

2. Acknowledge Your Feelings: Instead of resisting your emotions, allow yourself to experience them. Recognize when you’re feeling tense or anxious, and take steps to relax.

3. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Accept your thoughts and feelings as they are, without labeling them as good or bad. This self-compassion can lead to greater peace and self-acceptance.

4. Focus on the Present: When your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to the task at hand. This practice can help you stay engaged and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

Conclusion

Meditation and mindfulness have become integral parts of my life, helping me overcome self-doubt and fostering a deeper connection with myself and those around me. If you’re looking to build confidence, improve your mental health, and enhance your overall well-being, I encourage you to give these strategies a try.

Start small, be patient, and remember that there’s no right or wrong way to meditate. Embrace the journey, and you’ll likely find that meditation becomes one of your favorite parts of the day, bringing you immense peace and joy.

Take the first step today, and see how meditation can transform your life.

As always thank you for reading, and I hope this gives you the confidence to begin a meditation and mindfulness practice of your own.

Caelin Plants 💚

10 Happy Healthy Morning Habits

Morning routine, Habits, Morning.
Morning Brew

 

Having a morning routine that wakes you up and makes you feel energized is so so important. I have spent the better part of two years tweaking and adjusting mine to fit all my needs.

I hope that seeing what I do will help you to create a routine that makes you excited to wake up in the morning. These are my ten habits that make my mornings happier and keep me feeling healthy!


1) Tell my house good morning.
A house at night should feel different than a house in the morning. In the morning I always open my blinds/curtains to let all that natural light in, it really helps me to wake up. I also tell my partner and our dogs good morning and give them all a hug and kiss. For the darker parts of my house where the sunlight can not get in due to lack of windows, I have put Phillips hue bulbs and I set them to a “morning light” setting. It is important that your house not look like a dark cave in the morning, or you will find yourself wanting to go back to sleep.


2) Drink a glass of water.
It does not have to be the largest cup your own. Just get some water down first thing in the morning. Drinking water in the morning helps to wake you up, get your digestive system working, give you some energy, and helps you feel fresh for the day!


3) Stretch and get some exercise.
I do a short yoga circuit in the morning to get my body moving. This helps with mobility and decreases the chances of injury and stiffness during the day. It does not have to be yoga, you can do some basic stretches that you know, or look some up. Get your body moving for 5 – 10 minutes and you will feel noticeably better the whole day.


4) Have a healthy breakfast.
Giving your body the nutrients and calories it needs to perform throughout the day is arguably the most important thing to do. Pay attention to what you put in your body. Try to aim for foods that will give you energy and not lead to lethargy. Two of my favorites are smoothies, and scrambles. Smoothies are so diverse and light, you can really put anything in them. Plus they are portable! Scrambles are also great for mixing it up, you can throw all kinds of vegetables, tofu, and sauce in there and boom! You got yourself a nice healthy breakfast.


5) Meditate.
I have starting meditating multiple times a day this year, it has done wonders! Meditation can be hard at first, I would recommend finding a guided meditation to start with. Having a guide and something to listen to is going to be so much easier than if you try to sit in complete silence for ten minutes. Trust me!


6) Read and write.
I have three little daily readers that I use in the morning. Each has a short passage for every single day. All of them are uplifting and positive and have a quote or question to think about through the day. I highly recommend getting at least one daily reader to give you something to think about in the morning other than your to-do list.


7) Morning hygiene.
Everyone has a different self care routine for the morning, mine is pretty short and simple. I wash my face, braid my hair, put on some lotion and deodorant, brush my teeth and that’s it! Even on the weekends, or days when I am not going anywhere I at least do these things. Getting yourself ready in the morning makes it a lot more likely that you will have the day you want and not couch potato all day.


8) Get Outside.
Fresh air and some sun is basically magic. A short walk up and down your street will get your blood moving and give you some endorphins. I prefer taking my dogs when possible, sometimes I walk them, other times I set up the joring equipment and take them on a bike ride.


9) Vitamins and natural energy boosters.
I take a daily multivitamin and also a daily natural energy boosting vitamin. Recently I have starting putting a natural energy mix in with my protein smoothies as well. It is all plant based and organic, and it is what works for my body. If you are not a protein smoothie kind of person then a good daily multivitamin is what I would recommend.


10) Daily plan.
Okay, so this is the part where you have to have some self control. Plan your day out, every part! Even if part of the plan is that from 4pm – 6pm you have free time to do whatever, put it in the plan. If you have a to-do list, make time to get three to six of those things checked off the list. Cooking? Schedule it. Chores? Schedule it. Relax time? Schedule it! Put every single thing on the schedule and follow it. This is the best way to ensure that you will not be just floating through your day.