While I like routine, I also need flexibility.
If I set a rigid self-care or mindfulness schedule, I will spend much time and energy dreading what I “have to” do.
The Experiment
This week I decided to experiment with a new way to approach my mindfulness and self-care plan.
I created a flexi-self-care plan, in which I set weekly goals without a specific schedule.
My goals
I wanted to include:
3 Yoga Classes
6 Sitting Meditations
3 Mindful Movements (exercise, but done mindfully).
Each day I could chose whichever practice my body felt like doing.
This week I am happy to report:
6 Sitting Mindfulness Meditation Practices – both at home and in the office, ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes.
6 Yoga Practices – Restorative, Hatha, Yin and Yang, Restorative, Gentle Flow, Restorative and Yoga Nidra.
4 Mindful Moments – 2 Runs, 1 Walk, 1 Swimming Laps.
The Results
This week I ended up with more mindfulness practices than I normally have.
I’ve found that I’ve had more energy and have required less sleep. I normally require 7-8 hours of sleep, yet this past week I have only been requiring 6-7 hours.
I’ve had more energy and better focus.
My mood has been very calm (less agitation when stuck in traffic).
My appetite has been more balanced – no urges for emotional eating, more cravings for healthy, clean foods.
I’ve done short gratitude practices before working with each client – I believe this makes me a better clinician.
Went to the doctors – my blood pressure was 104/70 BOOM!
What’s Next?
I quite like my flexi-self-care plan idea!
My mindfulness goals for next week are:
3 Yoga Practices
3 Mindful Movements (see, it sounds so much better than “exercise”)
6 Sitting Meditations
1 Mindful Cooking
3 Mindful Meals
Your Turn
What mindfulness goals would you like to set for the next 7 days?
Share it in the comments below and then come back once you’ve completed them. Remember to make your goals realistic – you can increase them over time.