REFLECT & RESET
Wake up, scroll the ‘gram, eat (maybe), work, scroll a little more, have an FT chat or two, then clock out before going home to make dinner and eat. At the end of a day like that a reset is necessary… But we are all also recovering from the force known as the holiday season.
The daily stressors at work, in relationships, and other elements like our health and finances are amplified during this time of year. It’s a time to welcome energy exchange with loved ones. So, as we ring in the new year, and as the dust settles on a year of hectic activity, it is the perfect time to reset. But what does that look like for you?
My view on what a reset looks and feels like, and even when to do it, has evolved through the years as my life experiences changed. In a perfect world, I would shut down my laptop and go into a spiritual retreat with DND for a couple of days, whenever I needed a break from the grind. Unfortunately, this isn’t always an option for me.
When I’m on the go and need to give my body and mind a break, I simply close my eyes and turn inward. Focusing on my breathing helps. Visualizing my inner landscape allows me to take it further. The objective is to get back in touch with yourself by reflecting on where you are at that moment.
Mindfulness practice is the key to turning away from our outer world to become more aware of the sensations our body is experiencing. It allows us to be aware of patterns of moods and emotions, and the thoughts which arise with them. I’ve found that creating a sacred space for solitude promotes such awareness.
When you carve out the space and time to get comfortable with yourself, you achieve greater clarity. You’ll start to notice the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that emerge. Not that such discovery cannot happen when you’re not at peace, but it is far more difficult to translate or decipher those messages when there are distractions drowning those messages out.
The act of tuning IN and observing your inner landscape is the best gift you can give yourself. This opens doors to self-awareness and self-knowledge. When done right, this helps you create a personal route map, which can help you lay the groundwork to live the life you deserve.
RESETTING can be as simple as closing your eyes and can be done literally anywhere. But when you are mindful about the space you create for yourself, you can harness the powers within in a deeper and more meaningful way. Take some time to find a cozy, quiet corner in your home, and after preparing the area to clear the energies there, set the tone for this personal time using these accessories.
Meditation Pillow
Sitting on a cushion like this will improve your sitting posture by lifting your hips. This allows your hips to roll slightly forward, which supports the natural curve of your lower back. And with proper spinal alignment, the rest of your body follows, naturally. The more at ease you are, the more you’ll be able to focus.
Gaiam Halfmoon Round Meditation Cushion $86.00 from www.gaiam.com
Yoga Mat
This extra-thick cork yoga mat can be added cushion underneath your meditation pillow for further support.
Gurus Roots Premium Cork Yoga Mat $119.00 from www.ilovegurus.com
Incense
Aromatherapy has been used for millennia to help people overcome various health issues. It is thought to work by stimulating small receptors in the nose, which eventually lead to activating the part of the brain which controls emotions. Burning incense is a great way to elevate your experience, and the best scents to relieve stress or anxiety are lavender, ylang-ylang, and rose.
Chakra & Luck Incense $5.99 each from www.eastmeetswestusa.com
Candle
An alternative to lighting incense is to burn a scented candle; the candle’s flame will also serve as a point of focus throughout the experience.
Joy’s Velitas Round Concrete Candle in Sage + Lavender
$32.00 from www.joyalvarado.com
Crystals
Crystal healing can be used for grounding and energizing. Ancient writings show that crystals have been powerful tools of healing for thousands of years. Each contains its own energy. You can meditate with a crystal in your right hand, or you can incorporate your body with them by laying stones on the areas connected to different chakras (energy centers). Stones you may want to meditate with include Celestite, Mookaite, Amethyst, Tourmaline, and Rose Quartz.
Sound Healing Instruments
Sound healing has been used to heal and bring balance to many aspects of our lives. There are several ways you can use different sound healing instruments to help yourself and others. Singing bowls are just one way to balance your body’s chakras and eliminate stress.
Shanti Bowl Tibetan Singing Bowl $94.50 from www.shantibowl.com
Features Contributor Christine Rose
