Step 4 : keep moving - slowly to begin...

Up to now, I didn't pratice any sport... not in the mood, too tired, it is dark and cold outside, I don't have time... Any excuse was good.  But now, everything will change !  I can't remember the number of times I pronounced these words, but this time I'll really try to keep my promise. 

But I don't talk about extreme sport, you don't have to be exhausted, to be out of breath and to sweat a lot.  I mean I'll try to move a bit more and practice a regular physical activity.  So, from now on, I choose to walk instead of using my car all the time, try to park your car a bit further than your destination, in order to walk a bit.  You'll have less stress, because you'll immediately find a place.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator, when you are on a supermarket parking, try to run to put the caddy back to its place.  You can do the same when you drop your kids off at school. These activities may seem a bit light to you, but I find it's a good way to start before practicing a real sport.  This will allow you to get back in shape.

At home you can also move easily, put the radio on and do the household in rythm !  Get down, get up a few times in order to wipe off the dust on the furnitures, climb on a chair to clean the cupboards, get down to clean the floor, etc.  In the garden, sweep the floor, remove the weeds.  The windows haven't been so clean for a long time !  And then you can sit and see the result ! 

A bit later, when all these habits will be engraved in your mental and in your body, you will be able to increase the amount of activities... But... not too fast,... everything in his own time.  

Good luck !

Step 3 : Keep your home organized to feel better in your mind

When was the last time that you came back home, tired, after a hard day at work, and you walked on a pair of slippers lying on the floor… in the kitchen, you see the dirty dishes that accumulates, you check into the fridge, there is nothing to eat, you forgot to do the shopping, you open a cupboard and the pack of rice falls on your head and the content spreads on the floor… you are searching for a dustpan and you have forgotten it your sheds on the end of your garden but the rain is pouring outside… you decide to take a warm bath but all the towels are in the dirty laundry, you did not use your washing machine since a long time…  Suddenly, the bell rings, your friends are standing at the door, you invited them last week for a dinner… At this moment, you can just sit on the ground and scream your despair… Maybe I'm a bit exaggerating but all these little problems are frustrating when we are already exhausted, mentally and physically…

So, this has to change, from now on, each object will be at its place, the dishes and the laundry will be made on time, you will implement a planning for the shopping in order to avoid forgetting items and to have something to eat at any time…

Why should we be organized ?

Not only to find everything easily but a well organized and clean home improves our state of mind and that can also be seen from outside.  We are in a good mood and have more energy, do the test !  You will see from yourself.  Do you know what Feng Shui is ?  It's the art of organizing your home in order that the Qi (vital energy) can circulate in an harmonious way, this will be covered in a future item.

Write everything !

A shopping list updated each time you see that an item is missing in the fridge, you can also buy some frozen dishes for the unforseen visits.

An agenda to write down not only the appointments but also the things to do, the bills to pay, etc…

A magnetic board to stick little notes for the other members of the family…

Nothing left on the ground !

Sort all your things after having used them, each object should have its own place, nothing has to be left on the ground or on the table, the dirty dishes go immediately in the dishwasher, the dirty laundry in the basket or directly in the machine.

When everything is clean and organized, sit in your chair and enjoy your new home, relax...

Step 2 : Let's be zen !

In order to feel good, your mind has to be freed from all these negative thoughts which keep rising in us...  Mediation could help us to bring peace in our mental and to be more in the here and now.

But how can we begin ?

The goal of meditation is to be attentive.  The best way to concentrate is to bring our attention to an object, personnally I concentrate on my breath, trying to be aware of the inhalation and exhalation, of the sensation of the air entering in my nose and coming out through my mouth.  Step by step, my breath is becoming calmer...

Of course, you  will not be able to stay concentrate for a long time, suddenly, some thoughts will rise in your mind : did I turn off the gas ? tomorrow I'll have a lot of work...  There is no milk anymore in the fridge... etc... You don't have to stop yourself from thinking but just simply examine these thoughts, be aware of them and then gently come back to breathing...

Acknowledge the thoughts without rejecting them, simply observe !

When do I have to meditate ?

It is better in the morning because you are wide awake and you will not end up falling asleep. Or in the evening before going to bed, this can help you relax and make your sleep easier.

Try to take a position where you don't feel too comfortable because you could fall asleep...

The best is to sit on a chair, in the tailor position.

How to relax completely ?
When you feel extremely nervous and anxious, after a long day working, the body scan can help you to completely relax, from head to toe.  With a guiding voice, you relax each part of your body, one by one in order to come to a total relaxation !

Some suggestions :
An interesting book : "Mindfulness in plain English" - Henepola Gunatarana
A site to visit (French) : https://www.petitbambou.com/
For the body scan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBIaYS4gpnQ&t=1335s

Step 1 : to drink 1L water per day

Today, I begin with the first step of the transformation program : to be able to drink 1L water per day ! Not easy at all for me because I'm never thirsty…  And water isn't really appealing to me.   But the turning point came at Christmas, when I received as a gift a scale which analyses the body fat and the water content of the body and I was surprised to see that my hydration rate was very low,  but physically I was fine.

And yet I know that the benefits of drinking water are various, to be healthy but also for the well-being, so let's go ! 

Why is it important to drink water ? 

Firstly, the body is better hydrated, the mental (memory) and physical (blood flow and energy) capacities are enhanced.   Those who would like to loose weigth can drink a whole glas of water before the meal, which will slow down the hunger sensation ; furthermore, with 0 calorie, it's the ideal beverage for a diet.  Water eliminates toxins of the body (by urine, sweat) and helps us to get a beautiful skin.  The intestinal transit is smoother and we don't suffer from constipation anymore.

How much water should we drink on a daily basis ?

First of all, we have to drink before we get thirsty because the thirst is the sign that our body is dehydrated.  Formally speaking, we should drink 1.5L water per day… but I'm beginning with 1L to avoid getting discouraged.  I drink 4 glasses of water in the morning and 4 in the afternoon.  In the morning, when I wake up, a glass of water before eating allows to eliminate the toxins and to wake the body softly.  However, it is better to avoid drinking water during the meals, this would disturb the production of saliva, essential for digestion.

Which water is best for me ?

There are a great variety of waters on the market.  Personnally I begin with the Vittel because it has a good taste. You can choose waters which are rich in magnesium in the case you are stressed or in calcium if you need it.  Some waters help the intestinal transit of digestion.  It's up to you to read the labels and especially to make yourself happy.  There is a water I've heard about recently : Mont Roucous.

Then, follow me for this first habit which will change your life !

Welcome !

How many times have you thought : this time I take myself in hand and I implement the necessary changes in order to achieve happiness ? 

I'm just like you, each year, I've got new resolutions (the first days at least), then my motivation falls down and I forget all the things I had promised myself to do in view of improving my well-being, my health, my mood, my life...

This time, I've decided to make a blog with that idea and to note all the steps details to make in order to really make changes and hold on to it...

It won't be easy, I'll maybe give up after a few items but at least I would have tried ;-) 

What about doing it with me ?  Together, motivation is stronger and sharing experiences, difficulties and achievements encourages us to continue the way.

Enjoy reading this blog and don't hesitate to send me your comments.

See you soon !

Lynpixx