08/02/2021
Great advice from Got the Monday feels?! Here’s a helpful checklist. ✨
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
P.s. one of my most fav rituals for calming my mind and getting back to the present moment (instead of the past or the future where overwhelm tends to live) is a body scan. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When we feel stressed, it’s common to carry tension in the body. Doing a body scan helps me notice what I’m feeling and where, and relieve stress.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here’s how I do it:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1️⃣ Close your eyes and sit (or lay) in a comfortable position.
2️⃣ Starting with your head, notice where any tension lives. Are the eyes sore? Is your head achy? Are your shoulders stiff? Is your jaw tight? Notice the sensations without judgement and breathe into and relax the tense spots. Visualize that you’re blowing the tension out through a straw. Take a deep exhale if you need to.
3️⃣ Once you feel ready and more relaxed, move slowly down to each area of your body, group by group: chest, arms, stomach, sacral, legs, feet, etc. Notice sensations, breathe into tension, and release by blowing through the invisible straw or taking a deep exhale.
4️⃣ Massage any areas that want extra care, and remind yourself that “I am safe” and “I can handle this.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
5️⃣ When complete, slowly wiggle your fingers and toes and open your eyes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Tip: When you’re short for time, notice and breathe into the specific spot where you feel tension in the body, instead of moving group by group.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here’s to a Present Monday 💕