Three things I do to make the most of every day
Feeling stuck, frustrated, and tired? The following will help. This isn't magic beans territory, just simple places to start if you don't know what else to try.
Give this routine at least 3 months before making changes - it takes some time to show results. Keep them in mind from moment to moment, and challenge yourself to find a balance of both.
Each of these practices has an element of practice related to the body and the mind, outlined below
Caution: These practices are not risk-free, especially more advanced breathwork and longer fasts. Please shape them to match your own situation, or skip some all together if they aren't a good fit for you.I choose these because they work for me, but be aware the research and risks with these practices is a mixed bag.
Body: Reconnect with hunger, and find ways of putting more time between meals. Skipping breakfast can make a difference (typically called 16:8), and longer fasts can teach you a lot about yourself.Mind: taoists talk about "Fasting of the Heart", slowing down the complexity and conflict inside of yourself. Stop scrolling feeds, challenge bad habits, stay away from gossip. Figure out how to have a little less in your life.
Body: Simple stuff: take ten minutes, sit, and breathe slowly through your nose, into your diaphragm. Try to incorporate it as an ongoing practice throughout the day, or when you feel the need to centre.Mind: Slowing down your breath slows down the mind. More time to think, space to pause before you react, and a calmer outlook. Super useful for navigating stress, making decisions, and chilling out.
Body: Find more ways to move your body. I don't love the whole gym-cult, so it's more about walking, yoga, stretching, callisthenics, and small instead of heroic efforts. Incidental exercise is also great.Mind: A philosophical approach of "finding ways to move forward", ensuring that you take action towards what you care about each day. If you feel stuck, listen to it - it probably means you lack motion somewhere.
Why? Because these worked for me and I wanted to share them! I've found these three things to be sturdy, dependable, and simple for improving the quality of every day life.