5 Tips for Creating and Keeping Your Spring and Summer "OM"

Many of us sat for months and months waiting for spring to finally break. While the trees were slowly budding, we got snow, rain, wind and lots of cold. The cold seemed to be etched in every corner as if it was making it's permanent home everywhere we turned. Meanwhile our calendars clearly read March and April.....maybe we didn’t get that new memo that spring has officially changed its date. Spring 2018 looked and felt more like January. Winter, scarves and hats still dominating our wardrobes, pockets stashed with tissue and throat drops and a hurried step, as the goal was to get out of the cold ASAP. 

Within the past week I would say “spring” has officially arrived and there is more sunlight, warmth and an increase of activity all around us.  You especially take notice, if you dwell in a highly populated city area, you know first hand what that looks and feels like. So while the sun and beautiful weather can all be a benefit, increasing our endorphins leaving us in feel good mode, it could also suddenly shift us off center in many different directions like an                     uncalibrated compass. That's just the nature of life, we go through constant shifts in the many seasons and cycles of life and there's no better way to flow with the cycles than to be prepared for them. So here are 5 Tips for creating and keeping your spring and summer “OM” 

1) Keep a Schedule

During the spring and summer months it’s fairly easy to get lost in all that the beautiful weather has to offer.  You can kinda go into free bird mode, spending more time outdoors, dining out, an increase in recreational activity options, to just feeling the need for more chill time. While those are all great things, having and keeping a schedule keeps us centered and balanced and more capable of making rational, thoughtful, healthy decisions and choices that support who we are and the lives we are creating for ourselves. It also leaves us better prepared to take on life’s challenges, new opportunities and always in a space ready to greet the next moment with our whole self. Just a few tips, start with a visual planner, or simply create alerts within your phone or Gmail calendar of daily reminders of important life task that keep you all together. Simply, make dates for your self. It’s as simple as creating a reminder for attending a new class your interested in, or carving out time for special people in your life. These simple reminders keep you focused, your attention at purpose and you’ll be far less likely to spend your time and energy wastefully.

2) Create a Food Preparedness Plan

Outdoor eateries, ice cream shops and food trucks and the like are preparing for your

smiling sunlit face,“ yes they are”!, but “we” thank them in advance for thinking of us. And   

yes, the possibility of you eating from any of the above increases immensely during these  warmer months…it’s a proven fact! Just the other day walking out of a library on a beautiful day there were at least three ice cream trucks along my path, I beat them all, feeling totally good about passing them, then I ran into the roasted peanut cart, and well….. I gave in.  Looking back, I was unprepared and set myself up for this, but I don’t beat myself up about it. I acknowledge, and plan for better days. A simple act of being mindful of how your nourishing your body is key, and knowing that at the end of the day, it all adds up. So, while foods are meant to be enjoyed, pay close attention to how the food you eat makes you think and feel. Is it nourishing? Is what your eating supporting your health? Does it make you feel energetic, clear, balanced, focused or tired, agitated, hungry? Overall, just know your personal limits and stay prepared and be ready like a champ before the impulse  and temptations hit.

A few tips: To prevent impulse eating or consuming foods that are unhealthy for you on the go, prepare before hand. It can be as simple as carrying water throughout the day. Fresh fruit 2- 3 portions, choice of whole fruit or your small packaged container of freshly chopped fruit or veggies  (my fave!). A  small protein based or complex carb. snack and you’ll be able to dodge the food temptations coming your way. Having done the above, your selection for outside dinning will be more selective and less on a whim. Your food choices will be very well considered to your choice of living and your goals of healthy living 

3)  Establish and Maintain a Movement Routine

I discovered that movement is not the easiest thing for most people; it generally gets somehow unconsciously classified as “another thing to do”. And yes it is in some ways, it is another thing to do. Like everything else in life, you have to make time for it and it takes great mental strength, ambition and confidence to start and keep a routine going. 

The world of fitness has become so vast and inclusive, it has moved far beyond gym memberships and I absolutely love that! I’ve found what works is adopting a routine that fits you, meaning your personality, your lifestyle and your goals. It sounds simple, but many people are intimidated as they look onward at other peoples fitness or movement regimen and model and either shy away and do nothing or  began to adopt and model what they are seeing, both in the gym and through social media. I think we are now so far ahead of cookie cutter living and I think the most empowering thing is realizing that, this is your life and guess what, you have a choice. If you ever wanted to explore your creativity, this is the perfect opportunity to create a life long movement routine that fits your lifestyle, your personality, your budget and most importantly your schedule. 

I also think what poses a major hindrance is  the word Exercise and Fitness. Exercise and Fitness is for everyone, however, it has a certain stigma attached to it. For such a long time it’s mostly been associated with the having of agile ability, or and act of preparedness for something like sport and competition, the attainment of a certain psychical appearance, or adopted by many already having what looks like a healthy body or fit physique. Also, for many years, exercise facilities and programs where not accessible to a lot of people, but now fitness and exercise is readily accessible to all through free and affordable programs as well an increase in  fitness facilities, parks and community based groups.

I personally refer to fitness as “movement,” an engagement of my mind, body and spirit as an ongoing creative series of very sacred moments that keep me balanced and well. As mentioned before I truly believe that if we really re-define fitness and exercises and take it from outside of this prepackaged box and redefine it for ourselves, it will become away of life instead “of a thing to do”. 

A great place to start is by asking yourself, how important is movement to me? 

There are so many benefits to active ongoing movement and I cannot stress how crucial physical movement is for sustaining life in the body, everything changes when you move. Movement allows us to activate and elevate chi” ( energy ) assisting us in raising and sustaining a certain level of vibrational energy vital for good health. The likelier we are to be engaged in some sought of ongoing movement regimen the healthier we become physically and mentally and the better able we can potentially avoid and or manage any onset of life threatening disease or ailments. Also, with your increased movement you will also discover a new kind of happy and vibrancy you will literally become a glow worm.

4) Observe Nature

In other words get outdoors, not only physically outdoors, but find yourself next to a park, with grass and trees, a body of water, an open airy space free where you can star gaze, or cloud gaze. Or simply just bring your attention to other life forms around you as you go about your day. Birds, squirrels, dogs, cats, flowers and just watch their “being”. This by far is the most simplest form of meditation that will most immediately put you in a heart centered state of mind that will transform your life and help you be present in the here and now.

      4) Be Intentional

Sounds a bit rigid, yeah I know, but quite far from it. Being intentional helps you set "your" bar and will focus your life in a purposeful way. Life is pretty darn big that it’s quite easy to get swayed in many directions or dragged into the plans of others through their planning or even through spontaneity. Being intentional is far off from having an agenda. Being intentional can be as simple as sitting in a space with a friend and being completely present and available in the moment, with the intention of  welcoming and opening an availability to create goodness, peace, joy, harmony . Paying attention to what stirs your soul, what makes you feel alive, what do you care about? Go out there and do it with all your might. Being intentional isn't self seeking, it doesn't seek resolve, it responds to life, it just is, ever so present in the goodness of the moment.  and lastly, in a more concrete sense of being intentional, If you don’t feel it, don’t do it. I’m referring to things and experiences void of a soul, things, interactions leaving behind an echo of a hollow door or an empty cup.

My rule of thumb, simply think thoughtfully before acting and know whats important to you  and lastly bring love into all that you do and know that being intentional lives in this moment…and so it’s always within reach and available to you.