The power of getting mentally fit…
Hey! It’s been a while… let me introduce myself, I’m Varvara I work with people by coaching, teaching and guiding those facing major life changes.
Particularly through midlife for women, when life seems to bring a different set of challenges – such as a change of career, looking after elderly parents, single parenting and having a baby later in life.
Today I’d like to talk about Power Breaks and getting Mentally Fit
Getting mental fit is the way to get on top of your negative emotions that often hold us back in leading the happy life we want and making those decisions that step us out of our comfort zone.
What can stop us from staying on top of negative emotions?
ANGER – SHAME – GUILT – FEAR
These are just a few of the negative thought spirals that take over our mind without even knowing sometimes. We might just think we are sad or depressed or lacking in enthusiasm for life but in fact it could be that you are beating yourself down about things continually. Giving yourself a hard time about not being good enough. It can start feeling like it’s a ‘normal’ way of living.
How does mental fitness come into this?
Mental fitness consists of building mental muscles and neural pathways by repetitions of mental fitness exercises
Along with guided knowledge of how to recognise and intercept your sabotaging thoughts and strengthen your innate wisdom and self-belief. This has been scientifically and psychologically proven – much in the same was a physical fitness strengthens muscles, mental fitness strengthens our minds! Visit https://www.positiveintelligence.com/science/ to find out more about the fascinating science behind Mental Fitness.
So, how do Power Breaks help?
These power breaks of repetitions can not only help to calm you down but research shows that regular power breaks help to build new neural pathways for positive thinking – this is what we call mental fitness. It keeps your tank of well-being topped up with resilience.
How do I get started with power breaks?
Do you find yourself only having 10 minutes here and there for a break? Let me tell you how to make it the best 10 minutes of power you’ve ever had for resting.
Here are four steps to achieving and making the most of those 10 minutes.
1: Permission: Allow yourself time to rest.
2: Embrace: Enjoy the moment, feel your body sink into the chair/sofa, relax.
3: Relax: Start by closing your eyes, or resting them in a downward glance. Resting them away from starting at your phone or laptop as you have been, reducing strain. Then begin to tune into the sensations in your body; the feeling of your hands resting on your lap and perhaps taking both hands and fingertips together and feeling gently the ridges and lines of each palm and hand.
4: Breathe: Begin to notice your inhalations and exhalations. Especially the exhale. Is it shallow? Do you feel a tightness to it? Now let your jaw go, relax your jaw by relaxing your face. Now trace the breath as you take a deep breath in let the out breath flow naturally out of your mouth or nostrils.
As you keep doing this you’ll notice you’re controlling your out breath less and less, it will feel more effortless and more restorative. You’ll notice this soft, effortless out breath is similar to the breathing we have before drifting off to sleep.
Now, if you’re going to spend this time worrying that you might fall asleep, simply set an alarm. This will stop you continually checking your phone or watch – which defeats the object of this power break.
I promise that just 10 minutes of rest and breathing will give you the restoration and renewed vigour to help tackle the rest of your day!
What results might I see?
FEELING POSITIVE – Feeling that things are going to be OK.
EXPERIENCING EASE & FLOW – A deep knowing that when we flow through life we appreciate moments and find gratitude easier.
CONTENTMENT – Not feeling lack of something in your life.
CONNECTION – Feeling a deeper connection to yourself.
