refresh

In honor of all caregivers who take the time to enrich the life of another with their kindness, compassion, and deep love.       

A weekend in Bali. A month in Morocco. Three weeks camping on the Baja Peninsula. Expensive, exotic yoga retreats, trainings and festivals are popping up all over the globe. As wonderful as it would be to just drop the kids off at Grandma’s and jetset around the world to connect with the yogis and energies of foreign lands, it’s not always feasible -- especially when Grandma’s RVing in North Carolina and you used the last of your PTO when your bestie was in town last month.

In Ayurveda, the Science of Life, rose water is essential and used as both a medicine and a beauty treatment to balance the doshas and maintain youth. The beauty of the rose has long been appreciated and utilized as a symbol of love and healing. There are few women who do not adore receiving gifts of the rose and rose water is a gorgeous method by which to reap the benefits of the glorious rose, year round.

Back when I lived in Minnesota, I used to participate in a seasonal detox program at my local yoga studio. The program included early morning yoga classes, acupuncture, and a detoxifying diet filled with nutritious, whole foods, and plenty of time to meditate and reflect. I found this short 1-week detox to be nourishing not just for my body, but also for my soul.

Human civilization relies heavily and increasingly on technology in almost all areas of life. We accept the technological support as the ultimate solution for all the problems of humanity (and the world) - if we go just far enough. Granted,  technology makes things easier for us, even on a private plane. For example, it allows people all over the world to be connected in ways that would otherwise be impossible, and for that I am very grateful. Many things would not be possible for us without technological support. But have we not perhaps lost the big picture out of our sight?

Jobs, family, relationships, and social functions often tend to take precedence over our own needs. It is easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day demands of life. Whether we feel a sense of obligation or not, the day can slip away without time to ourselves. It's those days that leave us open to stress, anxiety, and a loss of sense of self. That is why it is important to squeeze a little bit of “me time” into our daily routine. Whether it be five minutes or five hours, the following five are ways you can break away and take precedence over your day.

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert had an impact on me. After reading it a few years back, I wanted nothing more than to go on one of these sabbaticals to get my act together, write a bestseller, probably have a blockbuster made out of it and then my life would be set and sitting pretty.

While we all have important obligations, sometimes ‘adulting’ can be just plain exhausting. Aches, pains, and anxiety can surface if you stifle messages of exhaustion from your body. Sometimes, the best way to recharge is to have some good old-fashioned fun! Get inspired, relax, and release the tension!

 Rest (noun) 1. The refreshing quiet or repose of sleep. 2. Refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor. 3. Relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs. 4. A period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility. 5. Mental or spiritual calm; tranquility.

In the midst of busy work schedules and obligations, we will inevitably run out of steam if we don’t take some much needed time for ourselves to decompress. Self-care practices act as a reboot and refresh button to our systems. Allowing ourselves to do something good for our mental and physical well-being is absolutely essential to keeping the gears turning smoothly.