Letting Go of Tension by Living with Intention – Part I

“If we pause and breathe in and out, then we can have the experience of timeless presence, of the inexpressible wisdom and goodness of our own minds. We can look at the world with fresh eyes and hear things with fresh ears.” ~Pema Chodron

Let’s face it… life is demanding! We live in a fast-paced world where busyness and overcommitment are rewarded. Where the drive to get ahead has us feeling like we are always behind. And where there are so many obligations and expectations required of us that our lives feel consumed by stress and overwhelm.

Which is why it’s essential to learn how to let go of tension and instead, live with intention if you really want to feel joyful and fulfilled in life. If you want a sense of peace and contentment in your outer world, you’ve got to begin with your own self-care.

Whether it be an intentional act of caring for our mental, emotional, or physical health, practicing self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. And yet, when we start to get busy, stressed, or overwhelmed… What do you think the first thing to go is? Yep, you guessed it… self-care. And instead, in times of stress or struggle, are precisely what we should be ramping up our self-care.

The thing is, to practice self-care, it doesn’t have to be a big thing, but it should be activities you practice regularly that recharge you. Just about any activity done with an intentional element of self-care attached, can keep you from feeling drained.

So how can you be intentional about your self-care? Well first, remember what I just said, self-care should recharge you, not drain you. And practicing self-care daily gives you more instant and consistent renewal versus waiting till you’re completely depleted and frazzled. You’ve got to take breaks to avoid totally break down.

Now there are obvious forms of self-care, like hanging out with friends, exercise, massage, reading, prayer, meditation, getting out in nature, listening to music, a facial, a hot shower or even a good long nap. But there are also more subtle forms of self-care that can be done daily to increase your overall well-being. Today I want to give you a few of my favorites:

Breathe – One of my favorite breath exercises, which I call “Extended Exhale” Gives me a chance to slow down my breathing and release tension. Try it – Breathe in four counts, hold four counts and breathe out eight counts. Repeat at least 4-5 times. Want a more natural breathing pattern? Try connecting with breath by intentionally following your breath instead of taking deep breaths. Notice the pattern. Notice how it naturally softens.

Move – Yes, I mentioned exercise above but now I’m talking about movement of any kind, big or small. A quick stretch or shift in posture can reset your nervous system when you’re feeling stressed. When I’m preparing for a client’s session (especially when I have a full day scheduled) I make a point to add stretching and movement into my session prep. It’s as important as reviewing notes when it comes to being fully present, energized and prepared for a call.

Pause – I have a note on my computer that simply says “Pause”. It reminds me to pause and take breaks during the day. Intentionally pausing my thinking and my actions, even for just a few moments, gives me a mini break that prevents random and often extended wondering of my mind or distracted behaviors. In turn, I’m more productive in less time with less stress. When you pause, you can close your eyes for a moment to just be. Focusing on the depth of the darkness that comes from your eyes being closed. Or you can focus on an object in the room. Really look at it. Notice the colors, texture, shape, etc. Let yourself be fixated on it for just a moment. No other thoughts or actions. With both ideas… breathe, be still and smile.

Give these three simple self-care practices a try! Then be sure you come back next week… I’ll be sharing a few more ideas to help you let go of tension and live with intention through self-care.

Today is a great day to invest in your self-care and your future by equipping yourself with the knowledge and support you need to thrive! Join me for an interactive virtual workshop by Clicking Here!