Personal Confession: I’ve Been Slipping…
I’ve been noticing lately that something feels off with me.
Know what I mean? When you feel like you’re doing everything right but you just aren’t feeling fantastic?
I have an endless toolbox of tips and tricks for feeling amazing – having high energy every day, feeling mentally focused, and light in my body. I love my tried and true tools and that’s why I dedicate myself to helping other people find the things that support them in feeling their best.
All that said, I’m super in touch with my body and I can tell almost instantly when something is off.
So when I started noticing something wasn’t right last week, I did a little inventory and realized I had been putting something super important to me on the back burner…
Meditation.
Yep. This is the probably the most important part of my health routine, and I usually meditate for 10-20 minutes twice daily. In the past few weeks, I’ve only gotten in a handful of 10 minute sessions per week – a big difference.
These are the hints that something was wrong:
1. I started to feel mentally scattered.
2. My digestion got a little off course.
3. I started to feel stressed and anxious, when I’m usually calm and present.
4. I had daily chocolate and coffee cravings.
5. I began to need more sleep.
So what am I doing about it?
I’m gently guiding myself back toward my normal, beloved meditation routine by committing to at least one 10 minute session every day, then I’ll eventually get back to two when I’m ready.
This is simple when I remind myself how good it makes me feel. When I meditate, everything else falls into place effortlessly.
It’s not about beating yourself up, because that’s counterproductive. It’s about reminding yourself what makes you feel amazing and then loving yourself enough to do it.
You might be wondering, why meditation?
1. It improves immunity.
2. It reduces your need for sleep.
3. It improves digestion by bringing more oxygen to your organs through deep breathing.
4. It calms and re-centers your nervous system and mind.
5. It reduces cravings.
I’m so excited to get back to my regular routine and 100% vitality.
Is there any healthy habit you’d like to get back to this week?
Share in the comments below so I can support you and cheer you on.
Photo: Jake Freeman
I’m so glad you posted this because I’ve been feeling the same way lately.
The past few months I have been dedicating myself to improving my health, mentally and physically. I’ve been eating clean for every meal, making sleep a priority, and I have even taken some time to concentrate on my hobbies by taking a class. I went to yoga twice a week and to the gym for cardio and strength 3 or 4 times a week until one night I pulled a muscle in my lower back during yoga. I was only out of commission for a few days; I got a nice, deep massage leaving my back feeling a million times better. That same night I went back to the gym, and walking to the subway after I crossed the street and rolled my ankle in a huge pothole, spraining my foot, leaving me on crutches for the past 2 weeks. I’m still in the boot and can barely walk without limping. Although my ankle is getting better I am unable to resume my fitness and I am feeling it mentally. I’m still eating clean but my old habits are starting to come back and I feel myself becoming more emotionally taxed and I figured out why: Because of my injury I stopped working out. Between that and the pain I can’t sleep at night, and I’m on edge during the day. I miss working out and am really suffering. I try to stay optimistic but I feel myself getting ornery with my coworkers and lacking interest in my daily duties. I stepped on the scale and I have lost 2 lbs since my injury which makes me want to lose more and get healthy again. So tonight I’ve decided that despite my injury I CAN and WILL still work out. I can do light strength training in my upper body and I know that once I get back into the routine of going to the gym everyday I will feel better inside too. I’ve realized that working out at the end of the day was my way of de-stressing from the day and releasing all my small frustrations that have unfortunately been forced to build up. I can’t wait to get back to it and am glad for you that you are getting out of your funk too. 🙂
I’m so glad you posted this because I’ve been feeling the same way lately.
The past few months I have been dedicating myself to improving my health, mentally and physically. I’ve been eating clean for every meal, making sleep a priority, and I have even taken some time to concentrate on my hobbies by taking a class. I went to yoga twice a week and to the gym for cardio and strength 3 or 4 times a week until one night I pulled a muscle in my lower back during yoga. I was only out of commission for a few days; I got a nice, deep massage leaving my back feeling a million times better. That same night I went back to the gym, and walking to the subway after I crossed the street and rolled my ankle in a huge pothole, spraining my foot, leaving me on crutches for the past 2 weeks. I’m still in the boot and can barely walk without limping. Although my ankle is getting better I am unable to resume my fitness and I am feeling it mentally. I’m still eating clean but my old habits are starting to come back and I feel myself becoming more emotionally taxed and I figured out why: Because of my injury I stopped working out. Between that and the pain I can’t sleep at night, and I’m on edge during the day. I miss working out and am really suffering. I try to stay optimistic but I feel myself getting ornery with my coworkers and lacking interest in my daily duties. I stepped on the scale and I have lost 2 lbs since my injury which makes me want to lose more and get healthy again. So tonight I’ve decided that despite my injury I CAN and WILL still work out. I can do light strength training in my upper body and I know that once I get back into the routine of going to the gym everyday I will feel better inside too. I’ve realized that working out at the end of the day was my way of de-stressing from the day and releasing all my small frustrations that have unfortunately been forced to build up. I can’t wait to get back to it and am glad for you that you are getting out of your funk too. 🙂
This is so beautiful and honest! Thank you for sharing. Get lots of rest and be easy on yourself. Beating yourself up is counterproductive. Trust that you’re exactly where you need to be and you know the choice you need to make in each moment. Let me know how I can keep supporting you! I’m always here. Hugs, Lula
I’m feeling off this week because I haven’t been running and walking. It’s time to get back to it. This was a great post!
Thanks so much Elizabeth! I’m so happy to be able to support you. I’m holding your intention to get back to running and walking and feeling your best. Hugs, Lula