15 March 2008

Zen-based ideas for establishing a calming routine

Morning coffee - If you're not a coffee person, tea or cocoa work great as well. Sit and enjoy the silence as you wake up and even better, watch the sun rise. It's the perfect way to greet the day.

Exercise - Go on an easy run. It relieves stress, and will give you time to think, and enjoy nature. Evening runs are great too, especially as the sun goes down. If you're not into running, walking, cycling, swimming, or really any exercise. Just take it easy.

Meditation or yoga - You don't need to do anything formal - simply focus on your breathing, as it goes in and out, is a good meditation.

Gratitude session - Take a couple of minutes to think about everything and everybody that you are grateful for in your life. This may sound corny, but it is an amazing ritual.

Goal mantra - Create a personal mantra to remind yourself of why you do everything you're doing this year and make sure to repeat this mantra at least once a day (if not several times!).

Bath time - Cherish a long hot bath. If you have the time to do this, it can be extremely relaxing.

After work unwinding - Long day at work? Stressed out? Take 30 minutes to unwind. Some great ideas for that include: A 20-30 minute nap, snuggling with your kids, deep breathing, stretching, self-massage, or really anything that relaxes you.

Journaling or writing - A morning writing ritual is a good thing, but you can do a writing ritual at any time that works for you. Or instead of writing, try journaling. It can be very productive and relaxing.

Conversation - Try this: every night for an hour, just sit and talk to your spouse. Share the highlights and lowlights of your day, talk about your goals, your finances, your relationship, movies, music, and books.

Reading time - Take time each day to spend with a good book. Or a trashy novel. It doesn't matter!

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