Do you ever feel a little overwhelmed with life sometimes? Right now, it may be that we are in a time of uncertainty, our daily routines are muddled, and we often find ourselves not knowing what to do next.

We get it!  

We have put together - 6 steps to restore calm and balance in your everyday life.  

Mindfulness  
Incorporate mindfulness practice into your daily routine. It could be as simple as sitting down to a meal and concentrating, on nothing other than, eating your meal. Turn off the television, and the phone, and enjoy your meal in peace. Try to eat in a relaxed, or meditative state. Take small bites and chew many times. Notice the textures, smells and flavours. You will be surprised how differently your food will taste.  

Yoga  
We could talk about yoga all day. The benefits are huge! Yoga is not only amazing for the physical benefits, such as increased flexibly, increased muscle strength and tone, injury prevention and weight loss. But what we really love is, the mental health benefits. Yoga relieves stress, reduces muscle tension, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centres the nervous system.  

Why not give yoga a go from the comfort of your home? Jump onto the Home Fitness Network for your program and classes.

Meditation  
Meditation is the practice of turning your attention to the present moment. Not thinking about the future or living in the past. When we meditate, it changes the brain and nervous system and can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Try sitting in silence, in a comfortable, seated position and concentrate on your breath. Notice the breath, as it enters and exists the nostrils. Start with 1 minute a day, and eventually work your way up to 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can listen to a guided meditation such as the Les Mills based 15-minute Mindfulness videos available on the Home Fitness Network.

Journaling  
Journaling is a great outlet for processing emotions and increasing self-awareness. It can aid bringing you into a state of mindfulness. Expressive writing can help people heal emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Studies have shown journaling improves immune function, promotes emotional release, lowers anxiety and stress, and induces better sleep. It can also spark your creativity.  

What a better time than to grab a pen and paper and get writing.  

Gratitude  
In our current situation it can be easy to focus on the negatives each day. Practicing gratitude, is a great way to switch our mind into a more positive state. Start with something simple, such telling your partner, or friend, five positive things that happened in your day. Or you can write it in a gratitude diary. We promise, the results will surprise you!  

Breathing
Sounds easy right? Breathing happens naturally, and we can often forget how important breath is. Breathing calms the nervous system and helps us restore calm, if we are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It can be as simple as taking 10 deep breaths before a meeting, or whenever you are feeling a little stressed or anxious. Try some belly breathing before bed, to help clear the mind before sleep.  

There are so many little action steps we can take each day, to restore calm and balance in our lives. Start by adding one or two of these to your daily routine and progressively add more.  

Want more? Home Fitness Network has a dedicated mindfulness and wellness area, created to soothe your mind, body and soul. Join now…

Are you a Coaching Zone member? You receive discounted access to Home Fitness Network. See here for further information…

Be happy, stay healthy