Wellness Newsletter
February 2008
SLOW DOWN – CARE & MAINTENANCE OF YOUR BODY TEMPLE
Do you rush through brushing your teeth, showering, peeing or moving your bowels? Do you rush through morning prayers, meditation, stretching, energization exercises or skip them because there simply isn’t time? Do you rush through drying your hair, putting on make-up (I usually skip the make-up and just cleanse and moisturize with sun screen). Do you rush through dressing, taking your vitamins, eating breakfast – do you make coffee or drive through? Cereal or eggs? Fruit or juice? How often do your remember your vitamins?
Do you rush driving to work or take your time enjoying the sunrise? Do you rush through checking your email and voice mail messages? Do you rush to meetings?
Grab lunch at your desk or in the car? Do you rush getting your children fed, dressed and ready for school? Or ask them about their dreams and what they are excited about in school today? Do you rush getting them to the bus or dropping them off? Do you rush to meet deadlines or leave time for inspiration and creativity? Do you rush to meet clients – rescheduling, juggling and reprioritizing or do you allow space for spontaneity and synchronicity?
Do you stay late at the office, shop on the way home – run errands on your lunch hour? Do you grab take-out for dinner or shop and prepare a nutritious meal enjoyed with family and friends? Do you plan meals for the week and shop accordingly or grab whatever is left in the refrigerator, throwing away a lot that doesn’t get used?
Do you stay up late reading, watching TV or sitting at the computer? Do you work extra hours in order to take time off for vacation with your family then face a mountain of messages and backed up tasks when you return? Have you ever thought about taking an extra day before or after traveling just to relax and slow down?
Do you put off going to the doctor, dentist, counselor or mechanic until your body and your car are ready to crash for lack of preventive care and maintenance? If any of this (or all of it) sounds like your life – it’s time for a serious look at your relationship with time and your relationship with yourself.
I’m able to ask all of these annoying questions, because I’ve done all of these things myself for years and years as a workaholic, procrastinator who neglected basic self-care until the verge of a breakdown – physical, mental and emotional. I learned the hard way how to SLOW DOWN – with physical injuries, chronic illness and exhaustion.
You can learn to slow down gradually, gently and effectively by practicing mindfulness, paying attention, carefull planning, listening to your body and believe it or not – resting when you are tired, eating when you are hungry, drinking a lot of water, scheduling time off before you fill in your calendar with work. I have found that scheduling time away from home and work really allows me to unplug from the frantic pace – get fully rested and relaxed, so that I can stay more present and mindful when I am working.
Finding time to do nothing, or a least to do only what you darn well please, is what it takes to find yourself – your own pace – maybe you eat a late breakfast and an early dinner, rather than eating at six am, noon and six pm. Maybe you naturally feel the need for a nap in the late afternoon. Maybe you think and write more clearly with a pen and paper, instead of on the computer. Maybe you don’t really need caffeine when you get sufficient sleep. Maybe you actually crave fruits and vegetables when you check in with your natural appetite before choosing your food.
Maybe taking all day to read the Sunday paper is your favorite thing in the whole world. Maybe walking around the neighborhood with your kids and your dog to see which flowers are blooming is the best medicine you can take.
Maybe you will live longer, feel much better, take less medication, think more clearly and have a LOT more fun, when you slow down and enjoy each moment of your precious life. I challenge you to choose one new behavior this week and give yourself permission to SLOW DOWN, noticing less pressure, less stress and more room to breathe slowly and deeply, giving thanks for your precious life.
With love & blessings, Becca
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