Summer. T’is the season of shorts, sleeveless dresses and just a lot less clothing in general. It’s also the season of endless weddings, fun weekends, later nights, travel and basically over-indulging everywhere you turn.
If you are like me (a human with feelings?) you have likely felt the wrath of the endless summer events and been hard on yourself about the aftermath. For me the aftermath symptoms are usually becoming way-too-overtired (which makes everything 100% worse), feeling bloated or ‘puffy’ and in general a little ‘achy’.
Here’s the thing: what do we expect when we are ‘go-go-go’? Going to too many events to make others happy. Only eating what is being served. Perhaps drinking more often than we normally would.
Kind of makes sense that we would be feeling mentally, spiritually and physically run down, doesn’t it?
For me, I can naturally carry a lot of extra water if I don’t watch it. If I’m off my routine, I really feel it. Lately we have been in the process of moving, reno’ing our new place, enjoying too many summer events, eating out way more than normal. All of this combined has led to feeling really run down and puffy.
I’ve been doing my ‘back on track’ routine the last few days and realized I’m likely not alone in these feelings and so I wanted to share!
Here are 5 things (that I actually always do! ) to back on track and feel like myself again:
1) I SLOW DOWN (First and most importantly)
Being kind to yourself is 100% the most important step in re-wiring your self-hate stage.
For me that is cancelling plans and choosing to watch something happy on TV, read a book, or more often than not – just sleep!
Sleep and rest allow your nervous system to stop firing and when you don’t have a higher state of anxiety – you can relax and be kinder to yourself.
Truly, if cancelling plans is all you can muster up the energy to do out of everything on this list. That’s okay.
True friends will always understand the need for recharging. If they don’t, they are likely not on your self-love path anyway. High vibe friends only!
2) I GENTLY MOVE MY BODY (and sweat it out!)
And no it does not need to be an intense or unattainable workout.
I do Yoga (I love Yin Yoga. It’s slow and focuses on stretching your fascia and connective tissues) or I love to just sweat it out. 30 minutes of cardio followed by a sauna if your gym has one. See ya puffiness!!
You can do whatever works for you – walk, swim, lift weights, do pilates.
Connecting your mind to your body is so important in releasing negative self talk and negative self actions.
Also as a bonus – I notice that after I do a yin class, I only want to eat healthy. Kind gentle exercise really doesn’t encourage kinder actions.
3) I DRINK THIS
This tea concoction has been my go-to since the Eating Pretty days. It’s key ingredient dandelion helps you to shed toxins and water stored in your cells. It’s a de-bloat master. Whenever Anthony and I are feeling ‘puffy’ – i’ll make a pitcher of this.
Detox Tea:
- 1 large pitcher of purified water (room temp or cold is fine)
- 2-3 tbsp of pure (no sugar added) cranberry juice or 10-20 fresh or frozen cranberries
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 dandelion tea bags
Put all ingredients in pitcher. Let steep. Enjoy!
Notes: I keep the tea bags in and keep filling it up with water as I drink it up. Add more cran/lemon as needed.
Yes, this will make you pee a lot. But think of it as a ‘buh-bye’ to the bloat and toxins!
4) I COOK MY OWN FOOD
Even if you aren’t huge into grocery shopping or cooking on the regular – trust me this works.
There is a psychology around food and preparing it, and eating at home. It’s an honouring of your body that not a lot of people think about.
But think back to when you’ve cooked a delicious and healthy meal at home in the past.
You feel great about your decision, and your body feels as if it’s saying ‘thank-you’. This feeling is different than even ordering something healthy at a restaurant.
It’s a ritual I really encourage always, and especially when summer has had you eating too many party apps and wedding buffets.
Check out some of my healthy recipes, here.
5) I MEDITATE
and I use loving mantras towards myself.
The same as sleep, mediation calms your nervous system, your mind and your negative self-chatter. Also holding a positive mantra in your mind re-wires the way you think and internally speak about yourself.
I made you a free 6-minute mediation to be a little kinder to your body today.
You can click to download and listen to it, here:
BODY LOVE MEDITATION.MP3
If you are new to meditaition, here are some tips:
- Wear comfy clothing.
- Go into a quiet room, I like dark – but it doesn’t matter.
- I light a candle or diffuse essential oils. Lavendar is great.
- Sit cross legged on the ground (against a wall or side of a couch is okay) or sit in a chair feet flat on ground.
- Put your hands on your lap, palms up.
- PRESS PLAY.
- Close your eyes and follow along.
- Don’t judge yourself if your mind is racing, you need to move around to feel comfortable – whatever comes up is coming to be released. Might be uncomfortable at first – but just be OK with that.
Try these 5-steps (you really could do them all in one day!) and I guarantee you will be feeling better, less body-negative and more calm and happier in general.
I’d love to hear how it goes in the comments below!
