E is for Everyday
Whilst we increasingly realise the importance of physical wellbeing, we don't always make enough time for mental wellbeing, until something cracks. That might be signs of anxiety, or postnatal depression, but what's key is feeling like there's a way back from it. Mindfulness exercises, meditation and quiet time are a few of the simple things that you can do to create some mental calm and a happier you, but we're often guilty of putting those activities to one side. Here we explore why it's okay, even essential, that you make time for the wellbeing of your mind as well as your body.
Our Resident Happiness Coach, Olivia Horne, talks us through feeling fitting in time for you, EVERYDAY.
Go on - #BeYourOptiMUM
Why
Because practise makes progress. Because every little helps, and it all adds up. And because your life is busy enough, without adding a list of new to-dos to your plate – so don’t wait for the perfect moment to relax or the ‘right’ time to connect with a loved one, because it will never arrive.
Choose something small and simple and do it now. Chade-Meng Tan talks about habit forming in his book ‘Joy on Demand’, and says that “successfully reshaping your mindset has less to do with hours of therapy and more to do with recognising ‘thin slices of joy’.” So the more you notice joy, the more you will experience joy.
Life is packed full of little moments of joy, and they really do add up. The same is true for choosing to notice and embrace positive, supportive, empowering things in the world around you. Practise this every day and you will build positive, healthy habits that set you and your kids up for a happy and successful life. The only thing standing in between you and your best self, is you.
“Life is packed full of little moments of joy, and they really do add up.”
How
Start today. Make a commitment to yourself to prioritise Breathing, Relationships, Harmony, and a feeling of being Empowered, Awake and Thankful. Focus on your wishes and goals, on why these things matter to you, and how they could impact your life.
Just choose one for now, and make a little bit of time every day to be curious about what it looks like for you. There’s no right or wrong here, so don’t beat yourself up if you forget or get distracted – every moment offers a chance to refocus. Just remind yourself why you want or need this form of nourishment, and gently bring yourself back to your goal.
And practise – just like physical exercise, your mind needs help to build new habits. "Patience is key. Remember, a jug fills drop by drop." (Buddha). So if you want to find true inner calm and contentment that lasts, you have to work at it. Make it fun, track your progress and enjoy the ride. And soon the benefits will be so present in every area of your life, that it won’t seem like work at all.
“Patience is key. Remember, a jug fills drop by drop.”
Try it now
Connect with your motivations by asking yourself: what value will I get from regularly taking a few moments for myself? Be curious about the positive impacts it could have on your life and your relationships, both now and in the future. Then go and make it happen, every single day.
Olivia Horne is &Breathe's Resident Happiness Coach, because finding your best you is about the mind as well as the body. She also offers one-to-one coaching and small group meditation classes in London, find out more here and here.
#BeYourOptiMUM
At &Breathe we believe in Being Your Best You to be at your best for everyone around you. Our retreats and events allow you the selfcare time you deserve and through this Spring, we're sharing ways to #BeYourOptiMUM - what's yours?
Tag #BeYourOptiMUM and tell us!