Hello Healthy Habits

In March of 2020,  while the world took on a new burden, most people carried it too.  For me, I came to a realization that my self care at the time was not enough to surmount the collective pressure I was feeling.   Like all challenges in life, there is always a silver lining.  For me, world events provided an impetus  to step up my game, to shine brighter, to be calmer, to come back stronger and lighter than I have ever been.  While many people took a few steps backward, there are some exceptions, those who did not skip a beat (good for you),  and then there are those that took giant strides forward after a few steps back.   Here is what I learned to maintain a positive outlook, peak performance and optimal vitality in spite of what might circle around me.

•  Before I rise from bed in the early  hours of the morning, I awaken with a Universal prayer.   With the Five Principles of Reiki as my foundation,  I give direction to the Universe and  give thanks knowing that divine guidance is mine, I only need to heed, trust and surrender.
• Once awake, I continue my morning with a grounding meditation.
  
• I continue with a Reiki hands on healing, opening myself as a vessel to both give and to receive Universal Life Force Energy for the highest and best good.
• I engage in deep breathing for at least 20 minutes fully oxygenating my body and emptying my mind followed by a few minutes of positive affirmations.
• Before I rise from bed, I give my self a hand/foot and/or scalp message.  Stimulating all of the vital organs, I am ready to rise.
• Once risen, I use a gentle comprehensive whole body detox spray.  Just as I enjoy a daily shower, I think of it as my daily internal cleanse.
• I make a delicious organic whole foods plant based fruit smoothie loaded with high vibrations, fresh tender baby greens and Super Greens juice
• I share precious one on one time giving gratitude to my beloveds, pet or partner.
• I engage in brief activity to improve blood circulation, whether it is an inversion, squats, crunches or push ups.
• I take time for my morning hygiene – teeth, hair, and body with an invigorating cold shower where I  engage in my daily happy dance.
• Before I leave the house, I adorn  my home with fresh flowers.  Surrounding myself with beauty and especially the elements of nature always brings me cheer and especially when I return at the end of a long day to be greeted by the scent and beauty of flowers is always a treat.

On the days I take time for my morning self care, my mood is better (often stoked), my mind is clearer, my energy is greater and the less likely I am influenced by any events of the day.  If it is possible, I do my best to go outside and take in the fresh air and sunshine, even if it just a few moments at a time; even better, if I can stay longer.  Hydrating with fresh whole foods throughout the day, each evening I close with more plant based nourishment usually a large colorful salad, followed by my evening stretch or yoga, hot bath or shower.  I often indulge in a bowl of banilla nice cream or a cup of banana tea later in the evening.  Loaded with tryptophan, this helps ensure a sound night’s sleep.  Before retiring each night, I attend to my  teeth, and enjoy another hand, foot  and/or scalp massage before delving in to at least 20 more minutes of  deep breathing.  In this way, my body is relaxed and my mind is free.  I sleep deeper and wake up feeling refreshed.

Like most people, I tend to be on track for a prolonged interval of time and then begin feeling so good that some of my healthy habits begin to fall away.  It often takes an event in my life to throw me off kilter when I am reminded of the things that help me be the best version of myself.  It is always a lesson as to how important consistency is in every aspect of life.

That which we do consistently will yield consistent results,
that which we do fleetingly will yield fleeting results. 

Just as important as the things we do are the things we don’t.  I limit my exposure to the  media and to any electronic devices and do my best to avoid any negative heavy influences, be it people, places, situations, food or things.  For me, it is not only in the doing or the not doing, but my self care lies in the practice of ‘being in the moment’ wherever I find myself.  While I am not on point all of the time, life has a way of helping me to continually practice until I get it right, hopefully more often than not.  A few setbacks along the way are just the reminders I need to stay on track.

May you cherish your daily healthy habits as much as I do mine.  When we forget our self care, we often falter, feel stressed out, worry, take on more than we can handle, react, get ill, feel depressed and/or attract negativity in to our lives.  When we take care of ourselves, we often find  our lives are more harmonious in every way.  We have a positive impact on those around us, setting a good example and sharing the love of living.