5 TIPS TO START 2022 OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Spend as much time in nature as possible and oxygenate the brain and body.
This might seem obvious but in this world of urban living and busy-ness, we spend too much time in our isolated, unventilated homes. Commit to going on daily short walks and go into a natural park for longer periods at least once a week. Time spent walking in a heavily forested environment changes our whole outlook on the day. Many of us go prolonged periods of time without immersing ourselves in the freshness of nature. Since we are spending many hours a week wearing a mask, we want to give ourselves the gift of clean air. We live in northern Italy because of the pristine nature and unpolluted air all around us.
Avoid conversations and people who get into heated polarized, political, social, or cultural views.
Life is short and as the ancient Greeks used to say, “take the time to understand other(s) and when others are more interested in the position of being “right” rather than the all-encompassing view of understanding that we have different ways of seeing the world then walk away”. The chaos of today is forcing people to choose sides and sometimes we have to choose a side. Whatever side you choose, you want to cultivate respect, understanding and empathy for the other view. If you feel yourself arguing and getting angry that others have a difference of opinion, remove yourself from the environment, breathe and remember that every view has merit (even if it is only 1% true). Do not compromise your state of equanimity for anyone or anything. The wise person listens with friendliness and decides whether to engage or disengage without causing harm or hatred.
Honestly review your day - Practice Self-Inquiry.
Ask yourself at the end of each day: Where did I compromise my highest values? Where was I self-aware and kind and where did I lose the plot today? By doing this regularly, you will spend more and more time living the kind of day that brings joy and fulfillment. Ask yourself: what did I do well today? Where was my discipline tested? Where did I not do so well today? How can I improve tomorrow? Just don’t beat yourself up. Remember to forgive yourself daily. Practice self-compassion. Research shows that forgiving yourself, not beating yourself up, prevents you from continuing to put things off. Don’t just be critical with yourself. Think about what you did well so you can repeat it tomorrow. Be grateful for the good that happened today!
Take multiple short 5-minute mindfulness breaks throughout the day.
This will reset your nervous system. Practice your favourite breathing meditation. Breathe in consciously and imagine that with every exhale, you are removing the mask of tension. Use your hands in a gesture of gathering air and imagine you are inhaling pure, clean air and with every exhale, you could even put your hand on your face imagining you are removing stuck masks: the mask of disappointment, the mask of tiredness, the mask of the fear of uncertainty. This exercise produces unfathomable results. By consciously breathing and imagining that we are unmasking ourselves of our struggles and pain, the joy of our original face is revealed.
Move your body vigorously at least once a day.
Dance to your favourite song. Moving to one short song instantly changes your chemistry. Moving your body in creative and emotionally expressive ways reduces stress and depression, increases energy and serotonin, increases mental capacity and creativity, and increases so much joy that we are better equipped to handle the ups and downs of home and work life.
If you are not sure what song to play, we have attached a fun short song here.