Many of us find ourselves slowly slipping back into our old lifestyles. Over the past few months, many of us have tried to find relief from mental and physical fatigue by keeping ourselves busy. Whether this is diving into the depths of Netflix’s archives or getting our bodies beach-ready (minus the beach part). With yoga arguably experiencing a renaissance due actors including Gweneth Paltrow and Matthew McConaughey endorsing its benefits. Many of us have sought refuge in daily meditation and online YouTube yoga classes with the likes of ‘Yoga with Adriene’, clocking up an impressive 7 million subscribers. So with our busy lifestyles coming to look us straight back in the eye, here are a few tips for keeping up these mindful good habits.
Not having the time is always the ‘get out of jail’ free card when it comes to reserving the time for our bodies and minds. Juggling the responsibilities of our old lives far too exhausting to plan anything remotely relaxing. That is of course until it’s time for the yearly pilgrimage through the departures at Heathrow Airport; jet setting us off to wherever EasyJet has offered the best all-inclusive that year. Yet by strategically allocating a realistic time for our yoga mats, rather than just adding to your plate of responsibilities, will always ease those low-grade daily anxieties. Honouring commitments to ourselves doesn’t always come as naturally as honouring commitments we make with others. So by making an effort to make “dates” with yourself to practise yoga, literally writing yourself into your schedule. Harnessing your inner guru to practise what the calendar tells you is always going to keep your practise growing and thriving.
Getting yourself unstressed, focussed, energised- while you may not be travelling to regions with more favourable weather forecasts than our own this year. Enjoying the plights of chasing our tent pole bags across a campsite in Norfolk. That shouldn’t stop us from a bit of ‘self-love’ now and then.
Linking to the next crucial factor to a consistent yoga practice, reward. The answer to regular yoga stretching is motivating ourselves through reward. More specifically that sweet nectar feeling of post-session ‘bliss’. The bliss of self-satisfaction, gratification and being able to pull yourself away from watching Stranger Things again part 3.0. To savour that sense of accomplishment, CBD can be used to squeeze out the last juices of satisfaction post-yoga session. While to critics, CBD is that alternative hemp oil treatment that long-haired ageing hippies bang on about. CBD is scientifically proven to suppress the enzyme that breaks down Anandamide (a.k.a ‘bliss’) for more Anandamide remaining in the body for longer. Blessing you with that kiss of ‘bliss’ for ongoing motivation to look inwards through yoga. Pandemic or not, we always have the motivation for results but often lack motivation and enjoyment of the process.
The use of aromatherapy or burning incense and candles have been shown to improve psychological and physical wellbeing. Buying scented candles of things that naturally bring you comfort, such as lavender or rosemary can help tranquillise your mind, which is vital during yoga.
With motivation seen to, how many self-reflection and exercise goals are hindered by aches and pains? Our inner mother’s lecture, causes us to rinse the internet dry of solutions to our niggling pains, overloading our hypothetical online shopping basket almost symbiotically. CBD’s shapeshifter-like product forms provide a large level of autonomy in the marketplace to buyers’ needs. These products helpfully target the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system that triggers the brain when experiencing pain. By CBD getting pally with these receptors, the body produces more natural cannabinoids producing an anti-inflammatory response in the body. Providing a solution for any overstretched muscles and joints. Removing your fears of walking around the office tight like a sailor’s knot the next day.
With so many CBD products and infused goods on the market, it can be difficult to know what is right for you.
- CBD oils as a product are quite versatile that can be cooked with or taken sublingually coming in a range of flavours with the likes of vanilla and mint. Enabling you to cater to the fussiest of taste buds in the kitchen; whether it’s for salad dressing or even homemade popcorn. Largely beneficial in their application on the tongue reaching all parts of the body giving the entire endocannabinoid system a boost.
- CBD capsules are perfect for on the go users, neatly fitting into your bags. With dosage sizes measured into capsules, enabling you to monitor your intake more easily.
- CBD topicals are applied directly to the skin in the form of creams, salves and even bath bombs. Specific for localised use, topicals are usually recommended to those with injuries reaching endocannabinoid receptors in certain regions.
As reality dawns we are faced with a new mid-year resolution that can’t leave us in the resolution breaking sin bin again. When you are looking for mental wellness, getting active may be one of the last things you feel like doing. But with yoga stretches helping alleviate back pain, vulnerability (using seated stretches often lying in a foetal position, anger (with a heavy focus on breathing to calm down) and self-care (a lot of self-hugging). Along with yoga for runners, those in service industries on their feet all day and even writers (focussing the brain and body inward). Yoga is becoming the heavyweight champion for versatile exercise that can be accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere (often not even requiring a yoga mat).
At a time when health has been at the forefront of our mind and newspapers, many people are beginning to take a more active role in their health and wellbeing. Laying out a route of action, rather than a seat of passivity to redress our connection between mind, body and soul will always serve us well whatever life might throw at us next.