While I experienced the same pressures you mention when I was your age, the pressures don't decrease as you age. I am 78 now and find that the pressures just change. That's why I appreciate what you and your mother have taken the time to help us all with. Breathe, breathe, breathe and be grateful.
I totally relate to that, holding pee, holding breath, lifted shoulders, gritted teeth! Some things I do: I rub essential oil between my hands and inhale, look out the window at the bird feeders, have a slow cup of tea without any music or tv or background noise on, take a shower, go for a sea swim and just stand in the water hearing the birds, the water and look into the horizon.
My nr.1 health problem is that I am in simphatetic state almost whole day long. What helps me is to connect with nature.( I live in the centre of Utrecht so that is a challenge):
step outside my apartment en take in the fresh cold air
watch the moon at night and breath the moon in (if that makes sense)
listen to the sound of the wind, the birds
Silence
when I am very stressed out: sitting down and strike my upper legs very soft and slowly, like petting a cat.
I am seventy-four and a retired dietitian striving to be reflective, compassionate, helpful and kind to others and explore the elusiveness of certainly with this precious time.
Living in a city and feeling a lack of connection to nature during the first wave of COVID , I started pausing to breath and look at the sky. It is always there, wherever I go… and it renews my connection to the wider natural world and the cosmos.It takes me out of my narrow self centered world view.
Sometimes when I get home from work, I'll go outside and water all of the trees and plants, even if it's winter. It gives me time to be outdoors after being inside for hours, to not really think about anything and feel like I'm taking care of something valuable.
I also at times find some mindful alignment in the household chores. When I need to expand my perspective, I have been looking up. Especially at the sky. We are so often looking down that the expansiveness of looking up helps me. Like a descending calming or broadening. And a good bath and a few pages of my book help too.
Feeding my horse in the morning. The feel of her fuzzy coat. The smell of her. Listening to her breath or even her little winney demanding for me to get the food in the bucket. Her eyes when I rub her face. Also the moon in the evening. Breathing the air as I find solace in the light.
Hello Lizzie, I am writing because I would like to know the brand of the best bolsters you use and all other restorative equipment and where to purchase? Thank you!
I start my day sitting on the kitchen floor with our 15 month old puppy watching the changing light in the garden. If he wants to play I’ll get his toy box and play. If he settles I’ll sit and focus on my affirmations and gratitudes, body and breath and see what happens. It feels like I’m doing nothing and giving in to the dog but it probably makes a difference to how the rest of my day unfolds and my ability during the day to find moments of peace
Like others stated my main go to is stepping out, pausing, to sense nature. Inhale & exhale with eyes closed. Inside I take a moment to pause washing my hands, sensing the water or making a cup of hot water with lemon and sipping it, taking deep breaths. I also love to wrap up in a blanket and feel a cozy moment.
So many ways in addition to all things yoga. My favorites are decorator therapy where I do something to change the beauty in my home for example rotate art or declutter, walking the dog, reading an inspirational quote, and being outside to engage with nature no matter the weather - these really soothe my soul.
I sit and slowly and gently pet my dog when he’s on my lap. Research has shown that this increases both my dog’s and my dopamine levels (the “feel good” hormone).
While I experienced the same pressures you mention when I was your age, the pressures don't decrease as you age. I am 78 now and find that the pressures just change. That's why I appreciate what you and your mother have taken the time to help us all with. Breathe, breathe, breathe and be grateful.
Love it! "Breathe and be grateful" is now my mantra for the week.
gratitude. and the silence between breaths. but is that because i am also over 70. and more being and less doing is “on the menu”.
Amen.
I have to work on the 'less doing'. I was raised on 'idle hands...'
I totally relate to that, holding pee, holding breath, lifted shoulders, gritted teeth! Some things I do: I rub essential oil between my hands and inhale, look out the window at the bird feeders, have a slow cup of tea without any music or tv or background noise on, take a shower, go for a sea swim and just stand in the water hearing the birds, the water and look into the horizon.
love the oil idea. I'm going to start doing that. Smelling deeply is self care.
My nr.1 health problem is that I am in simphatetic state almost whole day long. What helps me is to connect with nature.( I live in the centre of Utrecht so that is a challenge):
step outside my apartment en take in the fresh cold air
watch the moon at night and breath the moon in (if that makes sense)
listen to the sound of the wind, the birds
Silence
when I am very stressed out: sitting down and strike my upper legs very soft and slowly, like petting a cat.
Yes! Nature is self care.
I am seventy-four and a retired dietitian striving to be reflective, compassionate, helpful and kind to others and explore the elusiveness of certainly with this precious time.
Living in a city and feeling a lack of connection to nature during the first wave of COVID , I started pausing to breath and look at the sky. It is always there, wherever I go… and it renews my connection to the wider natural world and the cosmos.It takes me out of my narrow self centered world view.
Sometimes when I get home from work, I'll go outside and water all of the trees and plants, even if it's winter. It gives me time to be outdoors after being inside for hours, to not really think about anything and feel like I'm taking care of something valuable.
I also at times find some mindful alignment in the household chores. When I need to expand my perspective, I have been looking up. Especially at the sky. We are so often looking down that the expansiveness of looking up helps me. Like a descending calming or broadening. And a good bath and a few pages of my book help too.
Sitting outside in the sunlight doing nothing helps me connect to something bigger and brighter.
So true. Sunlight is self care.
Feeding my horse in the morning. The feel of her fuzzy coat. The smell of her. Listening to her breath or even her little winney demanding for me to get the food in the bucket. Her eyes when I rub her face. Also the moon in the evening. Breathing the air as I find solace in the light.
Absolutely. Animals are self care.
Hello Lizzie, I am writing because I would like to know the brand of the best bolsters you use and all other restorative equipment and where to purchase? Thank you!
Awwww, thanks for the compliment. I designed the bolsters myself. They are one-of-a-kind.
I start my day sitting on the kitchen floor with our 15 month old puppy watching the changing light in the garden. If he wants to play I’ll get his toy box and play. If he settles I’ll sit and focus on my affirmations and gratitudes, body and breath and see what happens. It feels like I’m doing nothing and giving in to the dog but it probably makes a difference to how the rest of my day unfolds and my ability during the day to find moments of peace
Breathe...gratitude...morning walk to ground/be in nature
Like others stated my main go to is stepping out, pausing, to sense nature. Inhale & exhale with eyes closed. Inside I take a moment to pause washing my hands, sensing the water or making a cup of hot water with lemon and sipping it, taking deep breaths. I also love to wrap up in a blanket and feel a cozy moment.
To await your Sunday email and relax into that space
So many ways in addition to all things yoga. My favorites are decorator therapy where I do something to change the beauty in my home for example rotate art or declutter, walking the dog, reading an inspirational quote, and being outside to engage with nature no matter the weather - these really soothe my soul.
I sit and slowly and gently pet my dog when he’s on my lap. Research has shown that this increases both my dog’s and my dopamine levels (the “feel good” hormone).