Feel Your Best

In Today's Email:

• Feel Your Best: 6 Tips To Feel Amazing Everyday…

• Did you know? Switch from late nights to long brunches…

• Yogapedia: Today’s pose of the day...

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LEARN TODAY:
Feel Your Best

1. Exercise

Our brain releases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals when we exercise, and these chemicals are crucial for promoting calm, contentment, and happiness! Exercise offers numerous health benefits for our bodies in addition to being excellent for our minds. It also helps to improve our energy levels, immunity, and sense of self.

Here, consistency is crucial. Double-blind research has shown that 20 minutes a day of exercise can raise wellbeing levels just as well as popular antidepressants. Give that some thought!

For years, I've made it a top priority to move my body every single day, and it got even simpler when I discovered hobbies that I enjoy doing while working out! This includes, for me, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, highlining, and pretty much any other activity that involves being outside, in nature, and on the move.

Find a physical activity that you truly enjoy doing. It shouldn't seem difficult. You may attempt a new sport or activity, throw a dance party in your kitchen, or go for a stroll in the outdoors with a buddy. Get your body moving every single day to reap the long-term rewards!

2. Sleep

Oh, elusive sleep, how important you are! Our bodies use sleep as a critical period of time for cell regeneration, emotional integration and processing, and the conversion of daily learning into memories.

Not only do we experience the impacts of inadequate sleep the following day, but also at least two days later (and occasionally even longer). Enhancing our sleep quality results in less stress and anxiety, enhanced cognitive abilities, fortified immune systems, and increased vitality.

When I made the decision to value having a wonderful day over staying up late at a bar and sleeping all day the following day, my mental health journey underwent a significant change. (Besides, if you drank till four in the morning, that hike wouldn't seem nearly as enjoyable.) The night before sets the tone for a lovely morning, and you should savor the daylight!

3. Nutrition

You truly are what you eat, my friends! Not only does the food you consume literally become the cells that make up your body, but you also have an entire nervous system in your gut.

The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) is where the majority of your serotonin and dopamine are produced. When our guts are healthy, our minds feel the benefits, and vice versa. This is also why IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and anxiety are so closely linked, and why, for some, IBS can actually be cured with meditation and hypnotherapy.

Nutrition plans are so specific for everybody, but some guidelines that are helpful to follow are:

Eat seasonally

Eat locally

Eat a wide variety of whole foods

Avoid processed foods (easier said than done, go easy on yourself)

How you eat is equally as important as what you eat. Allow yourself to slow down, bring a moment of mindfulness into every meal, and practice gratitude for the miracles that brought this nourishment to your plate. I absolutely love food, and bringing in these simple adaptations had a huge impact on both my gut health (goodbye, IBS) and my mood.

4. Mindfulness and meditation

Modern science is proving what ancient wisdom has been saying for centuries. One can experience reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, increased creativity, and a plethora of other advantages by engaging in even five minutes of daily meditation! Your mind will appreciate you for taking five minutes in the morning to meditate with a free app that you may download!

It is possible to practice mindfulness at every moment of the day. It's just being cognizant of your feelings, ideas, and current situation. I like to utilize the approach of posting small sticky notes with phrases like "pause" and "breathe" all over my house. I'm reminded to pause, be mindful, check in with myself, and take a deep breath every time I see a note.

5. Connection with nature and source

Exercise and spending time in nature are the only two things that consistently improve our well-being more than we anticipate. Since we are naturally disconnected from others, experiencing poor mental health is frequently the result. Your mood can be much improved by getting back in touch with nature, with source, divinity, or spirit, and by reminding yourself of your place in the greater scheme of things.

Connecting with nature also means tuning into my cycle as a menstrual woman and connecting with my body. At different times of the month, we have different needs, and connecting with these rhythms is a lovely way to re-establish a connection with the natural cycles that surround us.

6. Human connection

You are the sum of the five people that you spend the most time with. What inspires you about them? What do you love about them? The cool thing is that they’re thinking the same things about you!

We are social creatures, and we need each other, as mirrors, in order to thrive. This week, set up an appointment to see a close friend, send a heartfelt note to someone you haven't spoken to in a long time, and show off your social skills!

I used to believe that taking care of myself was sufficient when I first started identifying my mental health pillars. It didn't take long for me to remember that sharing happiness makes it much better.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Switch from late nights to long brunches.

One study found that 41% of parents said too many late activities — their own and their kids’ — kept them from getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep is key to feeling in control and making a good decision (as well as a bunch of other health benefits.)

Aim for seven to eight hours, and keep the thermostat at 67°F for the best dozing environment. Remember, “No, thanks, let’s do brunch!” may be the healthiest solution to too many afternoon and evening get-togethers (even if they are digital in nature!).

YOGAPEDIA
Balancing Butterfly Pose (Malasana)

What is Balancing Butterfly Pose?

Balancing butterfly pose is a variation of malasana, or garland pose. Here, the yogi balances on the toes with the hands in prayer. The pose stretches the feet and develops both strength and balance.

Instructions

• Begin standing with the feet together.

• Exhale and lower into a squat.

• Place the fingertips on the floor in front of the feet to find stability. Open the knees wide and lift onto the toes, bringing the balls of the feet and heels to touch.

• Slowly bring the hands to prayer in front of the chest and then toward the sky.

• Breathe while holding the pose.

• Place the fingertips on the floor, bring the knees together, and inhale to stand.

MEME