3 Restorative Methods to Practice Daily

We are a proud people of the mentality “gotta’ do more, gotta’ be more,” where it’s common practice to boast about the busyness of it all and go, go, go until life is gone, gone, gone. I get tired just thinking of the running around that is inherent to the life culture of the masses. What we forget is that our ability to exert ourselves is proportionate to our ability to rest and rejuvenate. To that end, we must create as much time and space in our daily life to rest and restore. These days, all doctors’ orders should be something in this realm. Here are some ways to encourage restoration in your daily life, have a healthy life for me with meditation, yoga, taichi

Meditation to have healthy mind

Active Relaxation

Try to take at least one or two opportunities during your day to actively relax. What does this mean? You aren’t sleeping, unless you feel called to a nap, but you are consciously:

• Closing your eyes
• Breathing
• Turning off all electronic stimulation
• Spending time in nature

These don’t have to be long bouts of relaxation; 5-15 minutes is sufficient. You will notice a boost in your energy, decreased need for caffeine and more clear thinking (less brain fog).

Restorative Yoga

The balancing practice for all the styles of yoga that are popular and practiced in the West. As yoga, we have become accustomed to working hard in our classes, being challenged, and definitely breaking a sweat. While this is good for the body in many ways, the body also craves the practices where we actually gain energy rather than lose it. Restorative yoga classes are the best complement to your regular yoga and can support your life in unimaginable ways.

Sleep

Sleep has been devalued so much that people actually say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Sleep is a beautiful time of complete relaxation and renewal where all the following beneficial processes take place:

• Breathing slows
• Blood supply to muscles increases
• Muscles relax
• Growth hormone is released
• Growth and repair of body tissues
• Cortisol levels drop
• Energy is restored

Sleep is crucial for our daytime performance. It is of great important to give the body, the brain, and the nervous system this precious time of decompression.

When you are planning your weekly schedule, be certain to include time for slowing down, turning inward, and being generous to the body that works so hard for you, all day, every day. Your life will thank you! With the cultivation of restoration in your world, you will be a better partner, parent, employee, boss, friend, and overall contributor to the world.