World of Wellness
Follow Me:

Sheila's Blog

  • Home
  • About Me
  • LCHF
  • Blog
  • Yoga
    • Yoga Classes
    • Yoga Q&A
  • Meditation
    • Meditation Sessions
    • Meditation Q&A
  • Ayurveda
    • Ayurveda Program
    • Ayurveda Q&A
  • Relaxation
    • More about Relaxation
    • Relaxation Training
  • Training Programmes
    • Chopra Centre Programs
    • Retreat
    • Relaxation Training Programme
    • Ayurveda Lifestyle Programme
  • Contact Me

Connect with your True Self on Vacation

20/8/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Connect with your True Self on Vacation - Michelle Fondin

As a kid, vacation was a thing of magic. Anticipating the chance to explore new places and try new wonderful things, you would fantasise about all that lay ahead. You would make detailed plans or pack your suitcase weeks in advance, annoying your parents with your enthusiasm and the constant barrage of asking how many days until you left.


These days, things are a little different. While you still look forward to your vacation, your to-do list of all the tasks you have to accomplish before you leave keeps you from enjoying the same type of anticipation. Then, when you finally arrive at your destination, you find you’re still thinking about work, or the dog sitter, or whether your luggage will get there on time. Before you know it, three days have gone by before you can completely relax and fall into vacation mode.

Yet somewhere inside of you, that playful child still exists. It may be buried underneath the worry and responsibility, but she’s there. Vacation can be the optimal time to connect with that part of you. Follow these five steps to make it easier:

1. Let Go of Responsibility
Most often, moms (and sometimes dads) fall into this category. You know the weight of this responsibility. You need to make sure the kids have:
  • Food
  • Sunscreen
  • Enough toys to play with
  • A bath at the end of the day

If you’re the police officer, nurse, server, and entertainer, how can you possibly let your inner child come and play?

To remedy this, designate a day or two during your vacation as a no-responsibility day. If you’re able, give the responsibility to another adult who’s with you. Explain that the designated day will be your day off, and that no problem or obstacle shall be put on your plate. Give yourself permission to eat breakfast alone or read an entire book with your feet soaking in the ocean.

In the event that you’re not able to give the responsibility to another adult, give the kids a little more slack than usual, so you can have some “me” time. Or think about hiring a babysitter for an afternoon. Most hotels have onsite childcare or babysitters for hire.

2. Act Goofy
Society pressures you to act in certain ways to fit into social norms. Some of those rules go out the window on vacation. It’s likely that you’ll never again see the strangers you see at your destination, so you can afford to act a little goofy. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, and they have the evening comedy skits, be a volunteer and ham it up on stage. Do the water aerobics with seniors. Sing in the talent show.

Ask yourself, “What did I do when I was a kid?” If you skipped on the promenade and got sticky from cotton candy, then allow yourself to be like your two-year-old self, eat that ice cream, and get it all over your face, for old times sake.

3. Try Something New
Being away from home, in a faraway place, can make you more of a risk-taker. Take advantage of this momentary freedom from inhibitions to try something new:
  • Jump off the cliffs into the ocean
  • Try parasailing
  • Sign up for a few surf lessons.

Let go of your reasonable self and all the reasons why you shouldn’t try those things. Embrace the philosophy, YOLO (You Only Live Once), even if it’s only for a day. When you give into your adventurous side, you will feel exhilarated and see life from a different perspective. On top of it, you will have a great story to tell when you return.

4. Play
Do you remember when you were in your early 20s before all the responsibility came? You joined in that game of beach volleyball and played putt-putt golf with the love of your life. Get yourself out of the goal-oriented mindset and jump into free play time where you’re not looking at a clock or concerned about the next event.

Play can open up your creativity in tremendous ways. You see things from a broader perspective. During playtime, you regain a grasp of the deeper meaning of life, such as playing fair instead of playing to win. And when you return to work, you can try including this deeper insight into your day-to-day decisions.

5. Be Present
It can be difficult to be present when you’re concerned about obligations back home or connected to your electronic devices all the time. Unless you have pressing issues that require you to keep checking emails, text messages, or social media, keep your devices locked up in the room. Set an automated out-of-office message, and if something does come up, ask yourself, “Can this wait?” Chances are, it can. If the world is not going to come crashing down around you by not attending to it, then let it go.
​
It’s likely that you’ve spent a lot of time, money, and effort to go on vacation. Immerse yourself intentionally into it and enjoy it thoroughly. Create memories that will last by being true to yourself and letting go of the responsibilities you have in the day-to-day. In the end, you will be glad to have had a more true and authentic experience while on vacation.



0 Comments

Ways to Maintain an Ayurvedic Lifestyle on Holiday

22/5/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ways to Maintain an Ayurvedic Lifestyle on Holiday - Tris Thorp

Summer brings with it beautiful weather, a change in daily activities and—for many people—a complete lifestyle makeover. Family reunions, summer camps, social activities, and vacations are in full swing, which can affect the time we rise and sleep, the nutritional choices we make, our exercise routine, and our schedule.


Healthy habits take a long time to form, but sometimes not much time for them to fall away. When you’re on vacation with your family during the summertime, how do you maintain your daily routine? Keep in mind that it took dedication and commitment to establish your daily routine … and it will require dedication and commitment to maintain your healthy lifestyle practices when the season—and your schedule—changes.


Here are five ways to maintain to your Ayurvedic routine while on vacation:

Rise and Shine

Wake up 30 minutes earlier. The sun rises earlier in summer months, which makes it a little easier for us to do the same. Giving yourself some extra time in the morning will provide a buffer of space and time to mindfully choose how to unfold the day. If your days are already planned and packed full of activity, these precious 30 minutes will be set aside just for you.

Connect to Stillness and Silence
Get your meditation in. If you’re vacationing with family and sharing close quarters, finding a quiet place to meditate can be challenging. Tap into the field of infinite possibilities and consider finding a seat on the front porch, in a hotel stairwell, nestle yourself into a coat closet, sit inside your rental car (while parked, ignition off), climb a tree or—if you must—meditate in the loo! Pack a set of ear plugs for those ‘off-the-map’ meditation locations and remember, there is no substitute for your silent, mantra-based meditation practice.

Choose Your Meals Consciously
If you know you’re going to be eating on the go, be sure to pack healthy snacks and lots of water. When you take the time to plan ahead, you can elicit the creative response by preparing some simple, delicious, and healthy meals to go. Eat and drink your greens and avoid processed foods that have no nutritional value. Select foods that have all the colours of the rainbow. This will keep you feeling healthy, strong, and vibrant on your vacation and throughout the summer months.

Move Your Body
When you’re sitting in airports, at rest stops, on airplanes, or as a passenger on long car rides, try chair yoga. It’s a fabulous way to increase your circulation and create movement in your body while travelling.  For more movement, jog around a city block, stroll the decks and corridors of the cruise ship, do crunches in your hotel bed, and practice standing balancing poses while waiting for your toast to brown.

Laugh Often and Laugh Out Loud
Laughter triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humour and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Crack jokes, play Twister, tell stories, tickle yourself (or someone else!), watch comedy, partake in child’s play, get frosting on your face, giggle for no reason, and have fun!
​
Remember, your lifestyle choices directly affect your overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Be sure to enjoy your next vacation—but avoid taking a vacation from making healthy choices. 

0 Comments

7 Reasons to consider Retreats over Vacations

13/11/2016

0 Comments

 
7 Reasons to consider Retreats over Vacations - by Audrey Throne

Each year, millions of people across the globe withdraw from their frenetic lifestyles for a week or two in an attempt to rest, rejuvenate, and recoup. These getaways range from family holidays to adventure trips to secluded exotic retreats.

However, after a year's hard work when the time comes to pick the perfect holiday option, we often find people bolting off to their favorite travel destinations without realizing that they will probably still be on 24/7 holiday management duty during this time off.

Such vacations undermine the fundamental purpose of a holiday—to relax and recharge. However, as opposed to a vacation, which is quite simply a time off from everyday routine, retreats are purposeful getaways that are aimed at rescuing you from an undesired or unpleasant situation and whisking you off to an exotic location to heal in that particular respect.

Retreats offer everything including spiritual healing, fitness through meditation or yoga, family or marriage counselling, and much more. Outlined below are seven reasons for you to opt for a retreat over a regular vacation.

1. Retreats Have Long-Term Benefits
In addition to offering you an escape from a tiresome routine, retreats set themselves apart from mere vacations due to the specific intent behind them. This intent can be an issue that you wish to focus on but don't get time for, a recent experience that you want to reflect on or talk about with people who understand what you're going through, the quest for some distance from your current situation to think clearly and bring things into perspective, or simply quality time with yourself and nature so you can rejuvenate.

To quote the words of Jiddu Krishnamurti, a famous spiritual leader, "I think it is essential sometimes to go into retreat, to stop everything that you have been doing, to stop your beliefs and experiences completely and look at them anew, not keep on repeating like machines whether you believe or don’t believe. You would let fresh air into your minds."

Moreover, all aspects of retreats—including location, accommodation, food, facilities, professional consultation, and activities/exercises—are all in line with what you are seeking to achieve; hence, the benefits of retreats are much more impactful and long-lasting as opposed to vacations where you are more apt to binge, gossip, and probably still spend time finishing work.

According to a research study published in Translational Psychiatry (Nature), simple vacations only bring about short-term improvements in well-being; however, a week's meditation can improve metabolism for the long-run.

Moreover, yoga retreats are known to provide relief to patients of respiratory problems, anxiety, bone thinning, high blood pressure, arthritis, incontinence, and rheumatism, along with several other ailments.

2. Retreats Provide Peace Away from Your Daily Routine
Retreats are aimed at providing you the solitude you need. This can be complete solitude as with individual and silent retreats, with your spouse or partner as with marriage retreats, or in the form of groups as with yoga and Ayurvedic retreats.

Wellness retreats are usually situated in secluded and serene locations that present the perfect platform for you to forget about the hustle and bustle of life and let your nerves relax. However, regular vacations can be taken anywhere that need not necessarily be in a quiet and calm locality. Moreover, retreats also offer a plethora of other activities that quench your thirst for adventure and exploring new cultures.

3. Nature Let's You Unwind
One of the biggest advantages of going on a retreat is that it offers you proximity to nature and its healing touch, which can’t be matched by a simple vacation. Being close to nature has shown to reduce the production of cortisol—our primary stress hormone. Moreover, clean air, calm surroundings, and plants allow you to unwind and be thoroughly rejuvenated so that you can have a fresh start to your life upon return.

4. You’re Surrounded by Like-Minded Company
Retreats attract people with similar concerns or interests and, hence, offer you the opportunity to spend memorable moments with like-minded people who are looking to achieve the same goals as you. These people act as your support system as you work toward your goal and also act as a mirror to help you identify issues that you couldn't have on your own. Most importantly, they let you realize that you are not alone.

Retreats also provide you the opportunity to make friends that you can remain in touch with even after you return home. This gathering of similar people is not characteristic to regular vacations.

5. You Have Access to Professional Guidance
Retreats include trainings, exercises, or counselling sessions by experts who allow you to see your own shortcomings and help you improve your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. These sessions are in accordance with your needs and enable you to not only improve your well-being while at the retreat, but also equip you with information and techniques that you can use to remain in shape even after the retreat is over.

6. You Don’t Have to Worry About Planning
One thing that skyrockets the efficacy of retreats in facilitating rest and relaxation as compared to ordinary vacations is that your service provider manages them. This means you don't have to worry about things like scheduling, reservations, commutes, waiting in lines, finding locations, etc. Even though you may handle such mundane tasks in your daily life, these tasks become particularly stressful when you are in a new and unfamiliar location. Retreats allow you to focus solely on your own well-being and truly offer you a stress free time-off.

7. Retreats Can Be More Economical
Retreats can be both expensive as well as economical. However, they are much more economical and cost-effective as opposed to regular vacations. The reason for this is that during regular vacations you make your own spending decisions, which may not be the most cost-effective and can at times result in money leakage. However, retreats are pre-planned and include exclusive features like professional consultation and trainings in addition to all the facilities of a simple vacation—thus, making them more financially feasible and reliable.

So, for your next holiday, pick a retreat that will let you unwind and resolve any pending concerns empowering you to regain control of enjoy your life.
Picture
0 Comments

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    8 Limbs Of Yoga
    Abundance
    Acceptance
    Accountability
    Active
    Acupuncture
    Adapt
    Affirmations
    Ageing
    Aging
    Airport Stress
    Alcohol
    Alcoholism
    Alisa Paliano
    Allergies
    Altar
    Anti-inflammation Foods
    Anxiety
    Appreciation
    Archetypes
    Archetypes Of Survival
    Aromatherapy
    Around-the-table Meals
    Art
    Asparagus
    Autumn Eating
    Awareness
    Awe
    Ayurveda
    Ayurveda For Dogs
    Ayurvedic Wisdom
    Bacteria
    Balance
    BBQ Sauce
    Beliefs
    Belly Bloat
    BItterness
    Bloating
    Blueberry Smoothie
    Body And Mind
    Body Mind And Soul
    Boundaries
    Brassica
    Breakdown
    Breakthrough
    Breathing
    Broccoli Cheese Soup
    Brown Fat
    Busy World
    Butternut Squash Soup
    Cabbage
    Calm
    Calories
    Camel's Pose
    Cancer
    Cancer Prevention
    Caregiving
    Carrot Ginger Soup
    Centering Thought
    Chakra
    Chakra Clearing
    Change
    Children
    Child's Pose
    Chlorophyll
    Chocolate Coconut Smoothie
    Christmas
    Christmas Stress
    Circadian Rhythm
    Cleanse
    Coconut
    Coconut Oil
    Coffee
    Coherent Heart
    Colourful Food
    Commuting
    Compassion
    Compassion Meditation
    Confrontation
    Connection
    Consciousness
    Cooking With Tea
    Cook Nourishing Food
    Cook Your Own Food
    Cook Your Own Meals
    Cream Of Broccoli Soup
    Creativity
    Crisis
    Cultivate Spirituality
    Daily Rituals
    Dan Buettner
    Dating
    Debate
    Declutter
    Deconditioning
    Deepak Chopra
    Dehydration
    Depression
    Desire
    Detachment
    Detox
    Dharma
    Diet
    Diet Myth
    Digestion
    Digestive Distress
    Distractions
    Divine Couples
    DIY Sunscreen
    Dogs
    Dosha
    Doshas
    Doubt
    Dreams
    Eating
    Echinacea
    Eggs
    Embrace Helplessness
    Emotional Baggage
    Emotional Health
    Emotions
    Empath
    Empathy
    Equinox
    Essential Oils
    Excuses
    Exercise
    Express Love
    Extra Weight
    Eye Care
    Faith
    Fear
    Feelings
    Feeling Stuck
    Feminine Energy
    Fibre
    Fight Colds
    Financial Success
    First Aid
    Fitness
    Flow
    Flu
    Food
    Foot Massage
    Forgievness
    Forgiveness
    Free Your Energy
    Fresh Start
    Gardening
    Getting Back On Track
    Gift
    Gifting
    Gifts
    Gifts That Give Back
    Ginger Shiitake Noodle Soup
    Ginger Tea
    Giving
    Giving And Receiving
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Good Fats
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Green Beans With Almonds
    Green Goddess Smoothie
    Green Leafy Vegetables
    Green Powder
    Greens
    Green Vegetables
    Grounding
    Growth
    Gut Health
    Gut Instinct
    Habits
    Happiness
    Healing
    Healing Effects Of Art
    Healing With Sound
    Healing Yoga And Meditation
    Health
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Fasting
    Healthy Food While Travelling
    Healthy Genes
    Healthy Habits
    Healthy Holiday Desserts
    Healthy Iced Fruit Bars
    Healthy Options
    Heart Chakra
    Heart Disease
    Heart Intelligence
    Heavy Thoughts
    Herbs
    Herbs Hands Healing
    Holding Space
    Holiday
    Holiday Gifts
    Holiday Season
    Holiday Stressors
    Homeopathy
    Humour
    Hydration
    IBS
    Ideas
    Immune System
    Imperfection
    Infinite Possibilities
    Inflamation
    Inner Change
    Inner Child
    Inner Healing
    Inner Peace
    Inner Voice
    Inner World
    Inspiration
    Intention
    Intentions
    Intuition
    Jen Miller
    Jenn Miller
    Jill Davies
    Joint Care
    Journal
    Journalling
    Joy
    Judgement
    Juicing
    Kapha
    Karma
    Katie Pande
    Keep Warm
    Kindness
    Kitchen
    Kleshas
    Kombucha
    Leaky Gut
    Learning From Your Dog
    Life Coach
    Life Expectation
    Life Purpose
    Lifestyle
    Lissa Coffey
    Lists
    Loneliness
    Loss
    Love
    Low Lunge
    Lung Problems
    Lymphatic System
    Madisyn Taylor
    Male And Female Energy
    Manifestation
    Mantra
    Massage
    Meal Planning
    Meal Preparation
    Meaningful Connections
    Meat-free Meals
    Meditation
    Meditation Techniques For Beginners
    Mediterranean Diet
    Mental Baggage
    Mental Health
    Mental Stamina
    Mindful Dating
    Mindful Eating
    Mindfulness
    Mindset
    Minerals
    Minestrone Soup
    Mint
    Moderation
    Mood
    Morning Habits
    Morning Person
    Morning Routine
    Morning Routines
    Motivation
    Moving Forward
    Mudra
    Mullein
    Mushrooms
    Music Therapy
    Natural Allergy Relief
    Natural Remedies
    Natural Skincare
    Natural Sunscreen
    Natural Sweeteners
    Nature
    Negative Behvaiour
    Negative Thoughts
    Neighbours
    Nestmaven
    Neti Pot
    New Year
    New Year's Resolutions
    Non-resitance
    Nutrients In Greens
    Nutrition
    Oneness
    Opportunity
    Organic Food Shopping
    Osteoporosis
    Outdoors
    Outer World
    Pain
    Passion
    Patanjali
    Pattern Interrupt
    Peace
    Perfection
    Petitation
    Pets
    Phtyonutrients
    Piriformis Syndrome
    Pitta Dosha
    Planning
    Plant Foods
    Poetry
    Portion Control
    Positive Habits
    Potato Leek Soup
    Poverty
    Power
    Practical
    Prayer
    Present Moment
    Present Moment Awareness
    Presents
    Priorities
    Probiotics
    Prosperity
    Prostitute
    Protecting Your Skin
    Pure Awareness
    Purpose
    Quiet Time
    Quotes To Start The Day
    Rain
    Ray Long
    Recipes
    Reclining Heart Opener
    Regrets
    Reiki
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relationship With Food
    Resolutions
    Resting Pose
    Retreat
    Ritual
    Rituals
    Roger Gabriel
    Routine
    Rudolf Tanzi
    Saboteur
    SAD
    Salads
    Samyama
    Seated Forward Bend
    Secret To Living Longer
    Sedentary
    Seeds
    Self-awareness
    Self Care
    Self-Care
    Self Compassion
    Self-compassion
    Self-Enlightenment
    Self Worth
    Service
    Setting Intentions
    Shakshuka
    Shatavari
    Simplify Space
    Six Tastes
    Sleep
    Slow Down
    Smile
    Smoothie
    Social Life
    Social Media
    Soma
    Soul Questions
    Soup
    Soup For Cold Days
    Soups
    Spicy Vegetable Chilli
    Spirituality
    Spiritual Success
    Spiritual Wellbeing
    Spring
    Spring Allergies
    Spring Cleaning
    Spritual Connection
    Square One
    Standing Forward Fold
    Standing Mountain Pose
    Statins
    Staying Focused
    Stress
    Success
    Suffering
    Suhas Kshirsagar
    Summer
    Summer Archetypal Energy
    Summer Smoothies
    Sun
    Super Foods
    Susan Pinker
    Susan Weed
    Susun Weed
    Sweet Potato Casserole With Caramelised Bananas
    Sympathy
    Take Charge
    Talents
    Tea
    Tea As A Spice
    Thanksgiving
    The Blues
    The Five Elements
    The Law Of Karma
    Therapeutic Breast Massage
    The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success
    The Whole Cur
    Thinking Patterns
    To Do List
    To-Do List
    Tolerance
    Tough Times
    Traditions
    Tragedy
    Transform Your Life
    Transition
    Travel
    True Self
    Trust
    Trust Your Gut
    Uncertainty
    Universe
    US Election
    Vacation
    Values
    Vata
    Vedanta
    Vegan Soup
    Vibrant
    Vibrant Health
    Victim
    Vision Board
    Visualisation
    Vitamin D
    Vitamins
    Weather The Storm
    Weight Control
    Weight Loss Myth
    Weight Management
    White Bean Chilli
    White Fat
    Who Am I
    Wholeness
    Will Power
    Wine
    Winter
    Winter Activities
    Winter Blues
    Winter Hibernation
    Winter Solstice
    Wisdom
    Wise Woman
    Woman
    Worry
    Yin And Yang
    Yoga
    Yoga Anywhere
    Yoga For Sniffles
    Yoga For Stress
    Yoga For Summer
    Yoga Sutra
    Yogic Eye Exercises

Proudly powered by Weebly