In the modern world, life is fast-paced, ever demanding experience that seems to constantly grab our attention.

Learning to prioritize yourself is no easy task.

From our own personal/familial responsibilities to those we encounter at work. Add in a good measure of technology, and we see that there’s forever something seeking to engage us.

This cycle of engagement means most of us are living in a perpetual state of doing. Never ceasing to rest, or allowing the space to just BE.

It is important to acknowledge that despite its challenges, this type of life is a privilege that not all of us are afforded. There are many people across the world who haven’t the option to access the opportunities we do, or practice self-care by going to a day spa when they feel tired. For many in the world, that simply will never be an option. For those of us lucky enough to born into a developed country where the needs and demands placed upon us are different, we do have a responsibility to nurture ourselves.

We have a responsibility to nurture our humanity.

Self-care isn’t selfish |Prioritize Yourself

The difficulty that comes with this notion is that because of the nature of our society, that being one of consumption, achievement and often egoic self-driven success principles, the space for self-nourishment is not freely given.

So it is up to us to take it. To cultivate that space and enforce it.

There are many ways you can do this. Some of my favourites are:

1. Practice self-compassion | Prioritize Yourself

I put this first on the list because ironically when we actually finally do give ourselves the time to BE, often we are riddled with guilt about it! Practising self-compassion and self-forgiveness if you feel that you haven’t been caring for yourself as well as you would have liked. Accept that you are a work in progress and you are trying to do better.

2. Move your body | Prioritize Yourself

Moving the body you have been given in a way that FEELS good helps us to ground and reconnect with the self we are outside of what we do. Dance, walk on the beach, or yes go to the gym if it feels good for you.

3. Love your insides | Prioritize Yourself

Drink water, lots of it. Eat whole foods, mostly plants. Take quality supplements that support your body and mind.

4. Get off technology | Prioritize Yourself

No phone, no tablet, no TV.. Get off technology and come home to yourself. Remember who you are without that incessant pull of social media, calls, messages and emails. Get out into nature. Breathe.

When you practice these steps and perhaps add more of your own, you will renew and regenerate yourself to feel more whole.

It’s important to recognise though that self-care is not transactional. We don’t care for ourselves just so we can add it to our list of stuff to get done or even to then care for others. 

Don’t allow your ego to tell you that you can only practice self-care if you can DO something with it afterwards.

Instead just allow yourself the joy of being loved by you in a way that you like, for no other reason than it feels good. We must care for ourselves because simply because we deserve it.

Do you have a particular technique you use that helps you to prioritize yourself? Share it in the comments!

The post Beyond Self Care – Learning To Prioritize Yourself In The Modern World appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Life is like a book and every new chapter brings with it a mixed bag of feelings, emotions and experiences.

While some experiences give bring us joy and happiness, others make us anxious, sad and depressed. It’s like a roller-coaster ride with continuous ups and downs, but that’s what makes it interesting, isn’t it?

When life gets overwhelming, instead of facing everything with a positive attitude, we tend to stress over bad experiences, difficult situations and unfavorable circumstances. This creates panic and tension within, and suddenly we are no longer the person we used to be.

We forget our good habits, our natural style of living and start to embrace negativity. That’s where depression starts to set in. If not treated early we can end up stuck in a depression loop.

Yoga for Anxiety and Depression: 6 Poses to Boost Your Mood

Yoga, the age-old science of life is undoubtedly one of the best ways to overcome those miserable feelings and adopt a positive attitude towards life. The physical benefits of yoga are numerous and so are its mental rewards.

For those who are able to maintain a daily practice of yoga – depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue are only distant memories.

So, let’s look at 6 yoga asanas which should be practiced on a regular basis to ward off anxiety and depression.

1. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Lie down your back.
The arms should rest by the side and the palms should be down.
Fold your legs from the knees, making sure that a few inches of gap is there between your feet.
Now lift your back from the mat and ensure that the thighs remain parallel to each other.
Stay in the position for as long as you can and gently release.

Apart from being a great reliever of pain from the back, Setu Bandhasana helps to alleviate stress, anxiety and depression.

2. Child Pose (Balasana)

Kneel down on your mat.
There should be a gap of a few inches between your knees.
Bend forward such that your forehead touches the mat.
Bring your arms stretched out in front.
Stay in the position for a couple of minutes and gently release.

Balasana is a well-known pose for relieving negative mental build-up. The asana also helps to stretch the hips and lower back helping the body to relax.

3. Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Stand on all fours in such a manner that your body forms the structure of a table.
Let out your breath and slowly straighten your knees and elbows lifting your hips.
The idea is to create an inverted ‘V’ shape with your body.
Your feet should be in line with the hips whereas your shoulders should be in line with your hands.
Press firmly on the ground, tuck your tummy and look at your navel.
Stay in this position for as long as it is comfortable and gently release.

The benefit of this asana is that it promotes fresh blood flow in the body. The cervical spine and the neck are also stretched to a good extent which results in the release of stress from these areas. Thus, the entire body feels calm and anxiety is reduced.

4. Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

Lie face down on your yoga mat.
Place your palms on either side close to your chest.
Straighten the arms; lift the legs and torso from the mat (a few inches).
Keep the top of your feet pressed firmly on the ground.
Head should be kept straight or upwards and the shoulders should be away from the ears.
Maintain the pose till the time you are comfortable and release slowly.

The asana is best-suited for milder cases of depression but is better at relieving fatigue. The physical stress that is captured in the back is easily released with the practice of this pose.

5. Standing Forward Fold Pose (Uttanasana)

Stand in a straight position with hands by the side of your body.
Take your arms to your hips and bend forward.
Your chest and head should touch your thighs.
Now take your hands down and grab your ankles.
The thighs should be straight.
Maintain the position for a few breaths and release.

The tension from the neck, shoulders and back is removed with the practice of this pose. The functioning of the nervous system is also improved with its daily practice.

6. Plow Pose (Halasana)

Lie down flat on the back with the arms resting by the sides.
Lift the legs such that they make a 90 degree angle with the ground.
Now take your hands to your hip and lift the hips close to the chest by using the hands as support.
Now slowly take your legs over the head and place the toes above the head on the ground, firmly.
Thighs should be kept straight and remove the hands from the hips and keep them straight, stretched out forward with palms down.
Stay in the position for at least a minute and release.

Another pose great for reducing strain, felt in the back. Halasana is also good for calming the brain and keeping your mind relaxed.

Use this poses often to increase your health and mood, beat depression and get the most out of life.

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Ayurveda is a practice that goes back at least 5,000 years to ancient India. It blends an understanding of human physiology and the 5 senses with the natural environment’s healing elements to teach you about the fine ‘art of living’. Millions of people around the globe are waking up to this phenomenal holistic health care path because of its power to almost magically uplift people’s day-to-day lives. Here are 3 superb Ayurvedic self-care strategies to help you relax into a more balanced, joyous daily routine.

Eat Mindfully

Patience and calm, deliberate action are core teachings of traditional Ayurvedic healing, especially when it comes to food. This is because the practice celebrates the power of digestion. Ayurvedic methods showcase the processes of the body and mind are set in motion not only by the food that you it but more importantly by how that food is consumed. 

Being aware of how you eat has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. It also helps people make fewer unhealthy food choices.

What exactly does mindful eating look like? One example of the practice is eating until you are about 80% full.  This works because it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that you’ve had enough food. Ayurveda encourages you to be mindful of when you’re feeling slightly satiated, so that you can give your brain enough time to catch up with your stomach, and you don’t overdo it. Because good digestion has been shown to thrive in calm, quiet, and stress-free environments, putting on some soothing tunes or turning off the television while you eat is also highly encouraged.

Engage in ‘Abhyanga’

Touch is the first sense to develop as a baby, and the last to fade in old age. It holds powerful healing capabilities, especially when it comes to reducing stress, strengthening the immune system, managing pain from injury, depression, and disease, and speeding up the healing process after injuries. In fact, touch is so vital that it actually helps babies develop normally, and grounds in basic human compassion.

Dacher Keltner on Touch

One of the best therapeutic touch practices is known as ‘abhyanga’ or ‘self-massage’. This is an ancient form of touch where you apply healing massage oils and gentle nourishing strokes to you skin in order to replenish lost nutrients while stimulating your muscles, joints, and lymphatic fluids. It has been shown to have an amazing array of wellness-boosting benefits including decreasing blood pressure, inflammation, back and diabetic pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Ayurvedic practitioners teach that there are 3 ‘doshas’ or biological energies that exist among people: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. To optimize your abhyanga practice, it’s best to determine your main dosha and then follow a few simple guidelines:

Vata Dosha: Use sesame oil and slow, light to moderate pressure strokes with your whole hand 4-5 times per week.

Pitta Dosha: Use coconut oil, sunflower, or olive oil and slow, light to moderate pressure strokes with your whole hand 3-4 times per week.

Kapha Dosha: Use safflower oil and fast, strong strokes with friction 1-2 times per week.

It’s also recommended to use long strokes on your arms and legs and circular strokes on your joints for all the doshas.

Balance with Essential Oils

There are amazing health-boosting compounds found in nature’s plants, trees, flowers and herbs known as phytochemicals. When these natural organic elements are extracted, they are then used to create essential oils that help bring balance to many of body’s main systems.

Regular use of these essential oils in baths, aromatherapy, and massage oils is a great way to strengthen your immune system, reduce your stress levels, aid with your digestion and weight balance, boost your mental health, and keep your skin fresh and glowing.  In fact they are so powerful that they are even used to help cancer patients with the effects of their condition, and show promise for helping reduce the risk of developing tumors.

Some of the most popular and powerful essential oils include frankincense, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, myrrh, turmeric, lemon, ginger, clove, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose. It’s good to note that oils made using chemical solvents (known as absolutes) are not considered essential oils by clinicians. Instead, they advise to use a pure oil that is extracted from the plant using heat, known as steam distillation, or a cold-pressed method, known as mechanical extraction.

If you’d like some help getting started, you can take a look at this 2018 Essential Oils Review and Essential Oils Guide.

Ayurvedic texts have also taught us the power of affirmations to guide you in taking charge of your thoughts and creating your best life! This video will take you through some amazing self-affirmations to help you attract a steady flow of abundance into your life…

Change Your Beliefs & Change Your Life!

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The Benefits of Time in Nature: The Hidden Medicinal Magic in Plants and Trees

The phenomena of forest bathing first came to light when researchers in Japan decided to set up tents along hiking trails to measure trekkers ‘before’ and ‘after’ health statistics.

What they found after years of research is that taking a walk among the serene scenery and medicinal ‘magic’ of trees and plants actually helps ground you in the present moment and uplift your joy.

“Shinrin yoku {Forest medicine} is like a bridge…between us and the natural world… it takes us all the way home to our true selves.” Dr. Qing Li

The Fine Art of Forest Bathing

‘Forest bathing’ may sound like a fantasy practice involving stream-dwelling mermaids, but it’s actually a very down-to-earth activity. Simply put, it is a refreshing walk through the woods. By combining a reflective hike with a quiet mindfulness practice that unites all five senses, forest bathing offers a uniquely uplifting escape from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world.

Immersing yourself mindfully in the natural world helps you to stay present and brings out the best in your nature as well. The practice is about allowing your mind to unwind from your daily concerns and instead tuning it into to the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you.

Walking Among the Trees to Boost Your Joy

The Japanese consider forest bathing preventative medicine, and it’s easy to see why. Listening to the gentle sounds of a water bubbling, birds chirping, and the wind blowing while smelling the beautiful aromas of flowers and seeing the gorgeous green canopies above creates a positive domino effect which helps ensure that your peace, happiness, and ingenuity thrive.

Moreover, taking small breaks throughout the day is a strategy that is used by some of the most successful people in the world to boost their productivity.  Here are 3 surprising ways that taking your time outs ‘among the trees’ can help you to jumpstart your joy.

1. It Reduces Your Stress Levels

Forest bathing allows the natural healing elements that are released by plants and trees to enter your body through your skin and breathing. These compounds have been scientifically shown to reduce key stress hormones, lower your heart rate, and send signals to your systems that activate relaxation. This allows you to enjoy a rejuvenating retreat without ever having to leave your community!

2. It Elevates Your Mood

People who engage in forest bathing have lower incidents of depression and report feeling increased levels of happiness and overall well-being. Not only that, but the activity has been shown to create higher levels of empathy, which can go a long way towards making the people around you feel happier as well.

3. It Wakes Up Your Creativity

Those who take a meditative stroll through the woods can count on finding more insightful solutions to any issues they need to resolve or goals they are trying to reach. People have also reported a much greater ability to reflect on their priorities, and the practice has even been shown to boost creativity by 50%!

Experience your own joy-boosting ‘forest bath’ right from the comfort of your own space with these naturally soothing woodland rainfall sounds…

3Hrs Relaxing Forest RAIN, (Sleep, Relax or Meditate to Sounds of Rain)

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The old proverb about silence is more meaningful than originally interpreted. Quieting your speech, actions and surroundings does more than prevent you from looking unintelligent. Studies prove silence actually makes you smarter. Let’s look into what led to these discoveries and why it makes sense.

As society grows noisier, people seek refuge in silent spaces

With the growth of populations and technology, it’s more of a challenge to escape the noise at your convenience. Moments of quiet have become a valuable resource. Silence is something people will now pay top dollar for, and the country of Finland has proved it.

The “Silence, Please” Strategy |  Silence Rewires Your Brain

During a group study in Finland, marketers decided to take a calculated chance at using the quiet attributes of their geographic area to draw tourists. The strategy went against the grain of the noise—music, bright lights, busy streets and late nights—large cities offer. It turned out to be a hit, and led to the gathering of information about how silence impacts the brain.

Several studies have revealed that silence or an abrupt end to noise stimulates positive activity within the brain.

Most of these discoveries took place by accident while trying to prove the positive or negative affects of noise such as music or familiar sounds. One of the most impressive factors is that a couple of hours of continued silence can produce new brain cells in the area connected to memory.

Silence does the body (and brain) good | Silence Rewires Your Brain

Our bodies are naturally wired to crave rest and relaxation after high mental stimulation or intense physical activity. This rest and recharge ritual boosts strength and wellness, but the thought process benefits your brain. When you sit quietly, it reprograms your brain to improve your intelligence.

The healing benefits run deep. Conditions like dementia and depression are linked to a decline in cell production in the memory portion of the brain. This opens doors for more research on a connection between silence and treatment for mental illness.

Silence triggers self-reflection | Silence Rewires Your Brain

Ultimately, we can only achieve silence externally. Our inner wheels are always turning, producing new thoughts and ideas. Even the silent treatment speaks volumes. Aside from expressing displeasure, it forces all parties involved to think about the issues at hand.

A habit of internal silence results in positivity and improves the quality of that inner noise that is our thoughts. Preventing outside noise and distractions eliminates what is demanding your attention and setting the path for your thoughts. Without external focal points, self reflection is almost inevitable.

The brain reacts more to silence than noise | Silence Rewires Your Brain

For years, we have heard the advice to watch less television and read more books. Absorbing the wrong energy will create negative consequences. Now, science is revealing it may have more to do with the differences in how the brain responds to noise and silence.

According to science, one thing that can increase your intelligence is doing nothing.

This is not to say you should curl up in a ball and hide under a rock. Exploration and relationships are keys to opening your mind. At the same time, you should to take moments to be still.

If you feel the urge to have some quiet time. Listen to your body. Even on days of continuous hustle and bustle. You should take time at lunch and before bed to keep silent. It’s for the sake of your present and future brainpower – and mental health. This may be a practice you have been subconsciously doing all along. If not, now is the time to start.

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Do you have trouble sleeping? Is it because you find yourself anxious as you go to bed and spend more time thinking than actually sleeping? Sleep relaxation techniques can help.

If you have trouble sleeping, you are not alone. Stress and worry have a strong connection between insomnia and anxiety. If you’re stressed it’s probably affecting your ability to fall asleep.

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people have trouble going to sleep. Trying to go sleep anxious makes it easy to feel fear and a general feeling of being overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life.

This anxiety makes you wake up feeling groggy, tired, and frustrated. It can also lead to irritability, lack of energy, and you might find it difficult to concentrate.

It can be a vicious cycle to break. But, with these four proven sleep relaxation techniques, you can learn how to fall asleep faster and rid yourself of anxiety related stress.

1. Progressive Relaxation | Sleep Relaxation Techniques

Progressive relaxation can help you sleep better and also help you learn more about your body in the process. With this sleep relaxation technique, you work one area or set of muscle groups at a time. First, you tense them, then you relax them.

This tensing and relaxing of them will show you where you hold the majority of your tension and help you remove it before bed. This exercise tends to start at the feet and work your way up as you drift off to sleep.

Some of the benefits also include:

• Improve mood disorders including PTSD, depression, and anxiety
• Minimize daytime fatigue
• Reduce bodily pain

Try it before you got to bed, only spending 5-7 minutes on your entire body.

2. Guided Imagery | Sleep Relaxation Techniques

Guided imagery is a visualization technique that lets you engage all the senses of your imagination. This tool can help you connect the subconscious and conscious mind together to guide your mind toward the outcomes that you want. In this example, your goal is reduced stress and better quality of sleep.

Spend a few minutes before bed imagining a calm, peaceful, and soothing environment. There are a ton of great mindfulness apps that can also guide you through the experience before bed as well.

3. Breathing Techniques | Sleep Relaxation Techniques

A simple breathing practice before bed can help you reduce stress and fall asleep much faster. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, try different types of breathing techniques to rid your mind and body of negative emotions.

The 4-7-8 technique is a very useful one that you can try right now.

• Inhale for four seconds
• Hold the inhale for a total of seven seconds
• Exhale your breath for eight seconds (very slowly)
• Do this exercise 3-4x when you feel stressed or anxious

4. Nighttime Meditation | Sleep Relaxation Techniques

There are man similarities between meditation and sleep so it makes sense to use meditation as a sleep relaxation technique. Meditation can help you relax, reduce stress, worry, and anxiety as well. Try a Guided Meditation from our friend Jess at Rising Higher if you want to have someone walk you through the process.

Hopefully, these four proven sleep relaxation techniques will help you fall asleep faster and get the rest your mind and body deserve. If you’re struggling with falling asleep don’t accept it, take action with these tips to figure out something that works for you. The more quality rest each night, the better your mind and body will perform the following day.

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Dr Christiane Northrup is an New York Times Best Selling author and a leading authority on women’s health, wellness and self love. Dr. Northrup teaches us that the key to vibrant health on all levels is within us—our inner wisdom.

11 Inspiring Christiane Northrup Quotes To Inspire You To Love Yourself

1 – “I want you to know that it is pleasure, not pain, that is your birthright.” Christiane Northrup

Pleasure, joy and love are our birthright and our natural state. Allow yourself to experience life as a delicious playground where positive emotions and sensations are a part of your daily routine.

2 – “If you want to have world peace – peace in your family, peace in your town and peace in your own bedroom – you simply begin with whatever creates peace within yourself. This vibration will go out from you in waves, and these waves have a very positive impact on the world.” Christiane Northrup

Peace in the world starts with peace within yourself. If you want to make a positive impact on the world around you, start with being the example; with your family, your friends and yourself.

3 – “Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.” Christiane Northrup

Gratitude is the key to manifesting more of what you want in your life. The more grateful for are for what you have, the more the Universe will respond to that vibration and continue to send you blessings.

4 – “Celebrate every relationship you’ve ever had. For better or worse, your relationships are your best teachers.” Christiane Northrup

Relationships, both good and bad are our greatest teachers and can actually provide a path to deep enlightenment. The people closest to us are our best mirrors and can illuminate the shadows within us that we are  perhaps unable to see when we are alone.

5 – “A grudge is like a cesspool; forgiveness like a flowing river.” Christiane Northrup

Forgive. No matter what happened or when. Holding on to your pain in the hope it will change the past is toxic.

6 – “Our inner guidance comes to us through our feelings and body wisdom first – not through intellectual understanding.” Christiane Northrup

Our bodies have great wisdom. When we can tune into our feelings and physical sensations we are tuning into our own internal GPS. It will never lead you astray. Trust it.

7 – “Your authentic, true self doesn’t lie to you, mislead you, or take you away from your power source.” Christiane Northrup

If you feel out of alignment in life, perhaps you need to ask yourself – how am I really showing up in the world? Am I allowing myself to be seen and heard from my absolute truth, or am I playing the role that I feel I need to in order to be loved and safe? When we are living authentically, we are always on the right path.

8 – “The secret to thriving is the knowledge that we are never simply victims of our bodies. It’s very reassuring to know that we all have within us the ability to heal from anything and go on to live joy-filled lives.”  Christiane Northrup

Any disease in our bodies is always a way for us to look deeper into how we are thinking about ourselves or perceiving the world around us. Our bodies are so powerful and sometimes they throw us little messages to make sure we are listening.

9 – “Loving everything about yourself – even the ‘unacceptable’ – is an act of personal power. It is the beginning of healing.” Christiane Northrup

Learning to love all of who you are is the greatest journey you can take in this lifetime. The power to be found when you accept yourself, warts and all, is immeasurable.

10 – “Thoughts are an important part of your inner wisdom and they are very powerful. A thought held long enough and repeated often enough becomes a belief. A belief then becomes your biology.” Christiane Northrup

Be mindful of your thoughts, always. Learn to develop a close dialogue with your inner world. You create the opportunity to be fully capable of impacting your outer reality.

11 – “Age is just a number, and agelessness means not buying into the idea that a number determines everything from your state of health to your attractiveness to your value.” Christiane Northrup

Your value is not based upon how you look, how old you are, your sex or social status. Your value is intrinsic. In fact your very existence is a miracle. You are the only you that has ever existed. You are priceless.

Do you have a favourite Christiane Northrup quote? Share it in the comments below!

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Life is busy. Sometimes it can feel like there is always something or someone who needs our attention. But how often do we take the time to give that attention to ourselves? If you struggle to find simple ways to practice self care, this article is for you. 6 Simple Self Care Practices To Help You Reset Your Mind

6 Simple Self Care Practices To Help You Reset Your Mind

1. Make a promise to yourself

The first and most important step in embracing a self care practice is to commit to doing it! Even if it’s for 5 minutes a day, make your self care a priority. You are worth it.

2. Take something out

This step is actually not an addition at all, it’s a subtraction. SIMPLIFY. Look at your schedule, re evaluate and adjust it. What can be removed? Make space for yourself. How can you take care of anyone else if you aren’t taking care of YOU first?

3. Sit still

Meditation is an obvious choice for self care, but if that freaks you out, no problem, just sit still. Turn your phone onto silent, set an alarm for 5 minutes time, and just sit. Be comfortable. Feel the support of the earth holding your body.

4. Breathe

Breath is life. Allowing yourself moments to deeply breathe into your body is a brilliant way to care for yourself. Take a few moments to allow your awareness to rest in the natural flow of your breath. Notice how effortless it is.

5. Drink water

Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and even food cravings. Make sure you are drinking enough good, clean water every day. Take it up a notch and add a slice of lemon to help alkalise your blood.

6. Be silly

Self care doesn’t have to be hard. Allow yourself a moment to be crazy, silly and fun. Dance, laugh, jump up and down, stand on your head, whatever! Just do what makes you feel GOOD.

If you have struggled with self care in the past, don’t allow your brain to continue to tell you that you have no time for it. We are meant to feel good in our bodies every single day. Life is here to be lived and loved. Allow yourself the pleasure of self care and watch how your mood, your energy and then your life, changes.

What are your favourite self care practices? Share them in the comments!

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10 Useful Tips to Start Practicing Yoga

Yoga can be really beneficial for both your physical and mental health, but if you’re just starting off, it could be a little daunting. If you want to learn more about yoga, or find out how you can get started, consider these 10 useful tips.

1. Read

First of all, read as much as you can about yoga. There are plenty of great outlets, like Care2, which is a huge online community with great articles. Yoga International is also another great online outlet, with all the latest news about the yoga community and suggestions to help you get started.

2. Take a Beginner’s Class

The best way for you to get started is by taking a beginner’s class. If you live in a fairly populous area, you should have no trouble finding a class that will introduce you to yoga. It’s one of the most popular forms of exercise around these days, so be sure to check local websites and magazines to see what’s available.

3. Go with a Friend

Going to yoga with a friend can be good for your confidence. If your friend already has experience with yoga, then this is even more beneficial. Even a friend who has never tried it before can help – by being there for each other, you’ll feel more confident as you’re learning.

4. Read Works by Experts

There are lots of great books available online about yoga, and these are a great place to start. There are also websites, like Yoga Dork, which publish content written by experienced yoga enthusiasts.

5. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is comparing yourself to others. When you compare yourself to other people doing yoga, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You might become self-conscious about what you’re doing, and worry you’re doing it all wrong. That’s not the case, and you need to ensure you do everything your own way, all the time!

6. Write About Your Experiences

For some people, keeping a blog about your experiences in yoga is a great way of really connecting with it. By writing a blog, you’re outlining what you’ve experienced and what you want to achieve – and by publishing online, you might even gain an online following. To help with that, try connecting with UK Services Reviews. They have a great team of essay writers who can help you put together high quality blogs, and who can provide reliable proofreading services.

7. Get the Best Equipment

From yoga mats to essential oils, be sure to get some really great equipment to make your yoga experience as rewarding as possible. There are plenty of resources online to help you find the exact equipment you could benefit from.

8. Same Time and Place

When it comes to yoga, it’s important to be regular. Be sure to practice yoga in the same place and at the same time, as much as possible. This helps you maintain a routine and means you’ll be getting as much from yoga as possible. Commit a certain time during a day to your practice, and find a comfortable spot to do it.

9. Stick to Your Schedule

Once you’ve decided on a schedule and you’ve found the perfect place to do yoga, you now need to stick to that schedule. An ‘as and when’ approach to yoga doesn’t really work, when you can quickly get wrapped up in the stress of everyday life.

10. Create a Relaxing Space

Go beyond finding a spot in your home that’s comfortable – create somewhere relaxing! Use candles and other decorations to make your space as relaxing as possible.

So, don’t be afraid! You might be new to yoga, but once you get started, you’ll feel the benefits pretty quickly. Let go, relax, and plan – and your yoga sessions will be extremely rewarding.

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How to Stop Complaining And Become A Happy Person

If you complain quite often, it’s not entirely your fault. Science has revealed that evolution favors complaining. We need to focus on problems to fix them and improve our lives. Moreover, nothing unites people better than a common dislike. So, don’t blame yourself if you complain too much. 

Once you realize that complaining is sucking your energy, see it as an opportunity. Why? Because not many people make the effort to fix their complacency. Once you stop complaining, you’ll discover newfound energy and happiness in your life.

Complaining drains our energy by producing stress hormones every time you complain.

The more you complain, the more you’ll have to complain about. This creates a vicious circle of negativity, increasing your stress and anxiety levels.

Wired For Change

The first step to stop complaining is to understand neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of our brain to form new neural connections, especially in response to new learning or experiences. So how does this help stop complaining?

The key here is that complaining is just a thinking habit that can be changed.

How to Stop Complaining

Now that you know you can change, here are six practical ways to stop complaining and become a happy person.

1. Go on a ‘No-Complaint Diet’

When you catch yourself complaining, pause and say something positive about the situation. This no-complaint diet can last from hours to days, but start small. Start with a 3-hour period to be mindful and focus on the positives.

For example, if you catch yourself saying that, “I feel so tired and overworked. I hate my life”, pause for a moment, breathe, and say, “But it will make me a workhorse and increase my odds of success. And I still get two hours to relax every night!”

How to Stop Complaining: Go on a no-complaint diet.

2. Stay Away From Complainers

Famous motivational speaker Jim Rohn used to say that you are the average of five people you spend the most of your time with.  So if you are surrounded by people who complain about everything and praise nothing, you need to keep away from them.

Remember, criticism causes anxiety, stress, and blocks awareness. On the other hand, praise increases awareness and energy.

How to Stop Complaining: Stay away from people who complain all the time.

3. From Complaints to Solutions

When you become aware of your complaining behaviors, take note of the few things that bother you the most. It might be your noisy neighbor, aggressive boss, or unsupportive spouse. Once you figure out the problem, take consistent action until it is fixed.  

Sometimes we forget that problems cannot be solved without conscious effort. As Tony Robbins says, “The only problem we really have is we think we’re not supposed to have problems! Problems call us to higher level – face and solve them now!”

How to Stop Complaining: If a problem is bugging you for a long time, resolve it.

4. Break it with “But”

Whenever you catch yourself complaining, add “but” at the end of the sentence and say something positive.

For example, “I am so lazy, I will never be successful”…“but laziness is just a habit and I can change it. I will exercise ten minutes every day to have more energy.”

How to Stop Complaining: End complaints with but and say something positive.

5. Count Three Blessings Every Day

Sometimes the best way to eliminate negatives is to add more positives. Choose a time and count your three blessings at that time every day – before bed or after waking up is generally preferred by most people.

In fact, soldiers are often taught this exercise for mental strength when all they can see around is bodies drenched in blood. The great thing about gratitude is that you cannot feel thankful and angry at the same time. So it dissolves all negativity.

How to Stop Complaining: Be grateful, count three blessings every day.

6. Meditate

Meditate for a few minutes every day to center your mind. Once you are grounded in the present, you will stop being reactive towards tough situations.

Things are not bad, your mind and perception make them bad. So take control of your mind with meditation. This makes you more aware of situations, and as a result, you are always calm and composed even in tough situations.

Now that you know how to stop complaining, move forward in life with a positive attitude. Try some of the techniques to form a new habit of feeling fulfilled and positive.

How to Stop Complaining: Meditate to stop being reactive.

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