Less Scrolling & More Self-Care
I consistently hear from clients that they are time-poor – that it’s difficult for them to find time for a daily routine of self-care. When I dig a little deeper, I often find that a lot of time (and energy) is lost in cyberspace. According to current research, the average person spends well over two hours scrolling social media platforms every day.
I’m a light user myself – and so might you be – but this statistic got me thinking about illusion versus reality. Many of us perceive that time is a rare commodity but what’s really happening is that we are simply making unconscious choices about how we use the time available to us.
Imagine a world where the two hours the average person spends engaged in social scrolling is halved – freeing up a precious hour that could be invested in self-care.
Just imagine that world.
Imagine people who are suffering unnecessarily … anxiety, depression, gut disorders, metabolic syndrome, low immunity, exhaustion … imagine these people (and perhaps you are one of them) suffering less or not at all because they invested in a little daily self-care that reduced or avoided these symptoms. All of these symptoms point toward a deeper imbalance where self-care has long been absent.
We must actively support the impressive self-organising activity of our body and mind if we want to be resilient and robust. According to Ayurveda, we are miniature holograms of the universe and subject to the same laws that govern the circadian rhythm of the day, and the shifts of the seasons. Our nervous systems are soothed by a daily and seasonal routine. Mentally and physically we become more supple and can flex without breaking when life throws us a curve ball. We flow rather than fight.
Looking after ourselves every day requires a little time and a lot of curiosity.
This is a good thing.
Use this time to become more conscious of how you’re feeling and the kind of nourishment you might need - is it three easy breaths, a glass of water, a view to refresh the eyes - or could laughter feel like a tonic? These are all game-changers; they are small but powerful ways to look after yourself.
Choose to begin each day feeling calm, clear and spacious.
Micro Morning Routine
Here are three ways for you to spend that precious hour. Done at the beginning of the day, this is a micro morning routine that detoxes, nourishes and rejuvenates. Do this for at least three weeks and notice what shifts.
1. Wake up earlier. This is easier if you’ve had a good night’s sleep. Daily routine starts the night before by getting to bed at a reasonable time.
2. Make a cup of hot water and add a little freshly grated ginger root and lemon juice. This helps to activate the bowel, move toxins and tone the liver. Sit and sip and just sweetly be with your own company. Read beautiful words or listen to something inspiring. Consciously connect with yourself before you start to direct your attention out towards the ten thousand things that delight, distract and deplete you during the day.
3. Shift the residual stagnation of sleep and move your body - walk, move on a mat, swim, hula hoop, dance – whatever feels good, do that thing. You might only have five minutes – but use that time to get your blood moving. Getting outside for some natural light therapy is wonderful for the brain and whole body.
Taking care of ourselves requires presence and sensitivity. It requires kindness.
Having embodied kindness we can then offer this to others, rather than project our unkind baggage. We can extend this experience of care and kindness to our planet.
We become more … Connected. Authentic. Creative.
This simple self-care routine is a large investment in your health & happiness. Your body and mind will thank you, as will your loved ones, community and world.
Tat tvam asi. You are That.
Note: a morning routine of self-care is a little more challenging when you are caring for small children or your job involves shift work. Just do what you can. Small children grow up fast, and shift work should include days off when you can anchor into a routine.