Grateful?????

Take some time to take a walk and absorb all of the glorious colours that Autumn is displaying…… Not only are you taking time to be more active, but you are also opening your mind, relaxing and focusing on the now. Autumn smells very different to any other season, it’s earthy and woody draw it deep into your lungs, through your nose and out of your mouth. Many of us feel that going a walk helps to put things in perspective, think things through, in fact a general feel-good factor!

We are so lucky to be able to see all of our wonderful seasons, just sometimes we don’t always appreciate the glory of nature. It’s easy to moan the loss of the summer, to allow ourselves to feel despondent and miserable over the shorter daylight and longer evenings, instead of looking for the benefits that are around us. There is a guilty pleasure to be had curled up with a good book and a hot drink on a rainy day! Just be mindful of the biscuits you may feel you need to ‘cheer you up’ Many of the choices we make during the cooler months can be associated with ‘comfort’ It is always a dangerous habit to slip back in to, past experience has shown there is no comfort found in food. The comfort comes from knowing you are making great choices, and of course…. Summer bodies are made in Winter!

There’s also the benefit of tasty slow cooked soups, casseroles, chillies and stews, which actually are ‘comfort’ foods’ the traditional ‘Square Meal’ Meat and potato (As well as loads of vegetables!!) Take time to relish the aroma and taste of home cooked filling and satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy.

If you are a summer lover, this thought always helps me… after December 21st (this year) the days start to become longer and even though winter may be yet to come, spring and summer are on their way.

So when you’re feeling a little low, take a step back and think about all of the small things we are grateful for.

This is a really valuable way of taking time to refocus on you…

Are you sitting comfortably?

• Take a deep breath – in and out. Look around the room and name five things you can see.
• Keep breathing and now pinpoint four things you can physically feel.
• Now, take a moment to listen. You may even want to close your eyes. List three things you can hear
• Now, take another deep breath. Notice two items you can smell.
• Lastly, notice one thing you can taste.
• Now take one last deep breath.

This technique will ground you in the now taking time to appreciate the now and the season we’re in, all too often we throw away the now for what’s lost or what’s coming!

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

buddha