Stress Less!
Lisa and I have been heads down bums up working like crazy behind the scenes lately to create the most incredible retreat for our guests in Bali and we can’t believe how quickly its come around. We can’t wait to get over there and the actual planning of the retreat itself is what really lights us both up.
But even when you’re working your dream job, life can still get stressful, especially when you have peoples hard earned annual leave and vacations in your hands it’s important to us to really deliver a premium experience for our retreaters.
People underestimate the negative effects that stress has on our lives and well-being. When stress is clouding our heads it can make us behave out of character, it can negatively affect our lives and well-being, and it starts to have a huge impact on our health. Finding balance in life and de-stressing isn’t always as easy as we would like, I know for me it’s taken years to fine tune a good work/life balance that keeps me happy and avoiding burn out, and balance is something that I have to keep a check on all the time.
Because we know everyone has their stress out moments in life (yes even the yoga teacher) here are some strategies we implement here at Temple Yoga & Retreats when the yogis start getting a little overwhelmed and not so yogic:
Be in the present
When you are present there is a certain stillness and centeredness inside. You calm down. If you are feeling stressed during your normal day then one of my favorite ways to let that go is to simply focus on my breathing for a minute or two.
This pretty much always calms me down and helps me to connect back into the present moment instead of the past or future scenarios that are making me feel stressed.
Sweat it up
One thing I have learnt that I need to make time for in my life daily is movement. I had a big break from exercise over the Christmas period, and although I think its good to let the body rest I definitely didn’t feel myself during that time. The minute I made time for just 20 minutes of sweat/exercise a day and got back into my routine I instantly felt better about life and felt an emotional lift. Exercise can leave you feeling happier and more relaxed, and when you exercise regularly it can boost your confidence and improve self-esteem.
Hug a pup
For those of you who know me, you know I have no boundaries when It comes to stopping people and their pups and smothering them with love. Literally Jake my 14 year old Border Collie is my soul mate and love of my life (and I love my husband too! Hehe)
Studies show that animals can reduce tension, improve mood and some pets can help people with mild to moderate depression feel better. If you're having a rough day grab a pup or a friend with a pup, or just a random persons pup and give them a squish.
Take a break
Of coarse we are going to recommend you take a BIG break in the form of a Temple Yoga & Retreats Bali escape (July/August - you know you want to). But for your everyday routine the most important thing is to, well, actually take a break for a start.
In many industries, lunch breaks are getting shorter and shorter, or even nonexistent. These days, only one in five office workers reports taking an actual lunch break away from their desk. Yet taking a break—even for 15 to 20 minutes—is a proven way to sustain concentration and energy levels throughout the day.
Call a friend
If you're totally strung out, you better call your BFF (In my case I’m lucky enough to be business partners with mine as well). Studies have found that spending quality time with your best friend can alleviate stress and make you feel better. There's no better person who can give you a shoulder to cry on or just make you have a little giggle.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress. My mum bought me a gratitude journal a while ago and on those night I’m feeling a bit off Ill write down all the things in my life that are going right for me and instantly feel everything getting put back into perspective.
Meditate
Meditation I feel is essential to my wellbeing and happiness, in the same way I need my sweat sesh each day, when I sit down and meditate even for ten minutes each evening I feel so much more calm and grounded. Meditation is free, its powerful, it works for me, and so it’s the one thing I harp on about to my students on retreat to work into their daily lives as it plays a massive part in making my own life so much happier.
