5 ways to shut your brain
Good morning from Singapore! We are in super-hectic-week mode. All those keep-calm reminders? Nah-uh, not working. The items on my to-do list? Multiplying exponentially. And in between errands I'm adding more tasks to do. I'm moving at the speed of light. My brain is on overdrive, and not surprisingly, I'm comatose by the time I hit the sack. There isn't enough hours in the day to do all the things I need to do. Sound familiar? *Sigh* You and me both. Here are five things that may help.
Photo taken at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
1. Breathe
Before anything else, breathe. Yes, breathe. Deep, mindful breaths. 5 breaths. 7 breaths. Break into a sun salutation sequence. Begin in mountain pose. Inhale, raise your arms overhead. Exhale, forward fold. Inhale halfway lift, left foot back, right foot back, plank, chaturanga, up dog, should I maybe do yoga teacher training? Dammit, breathe, stop thinking! Down dog, right foot forward, left foot forward, halfway lift, forward fold, rise with a flat back, mountain pose.
2. Sweat it out
Run. Swim. Crossfit. 60-minute vinyasa. Whatever floates your boat.
3. Get with the program
TV, I mean. You think you've got problems? Man, Sansa Stark has problems. And McDreamy, really? I'd just gotten off Breaking Bad, aka the greatest show ever, and I'm gearing up for House of Cards. Find a series, and watch it to your heart's content. You don't have time? Make the time. Add it to your to-do list, if that helps.
4. Eat a Frosty
Or cake. Or a Frosty and a cake. Or go on, do the wine buffet. Whatever it is that you've put off doing because you're so busy, do it. Carve out this time for yourself, even if it's in between errands.
5. Restorative yoga
Here's a 30-minute sequence from Yoga by Candace. No props necessary. Just you and a flat surface. Best to do before bed. Try it.
To shut your brain, find your zen. You know how sometimes you've got a ton of things to do so you just eat chocolate? That chocolate's your zen. Take a break. You deserve it.