HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Another simple practice that I was assigned years ago while taking a course on mindfulness was to always ‘be where your hands are.’ This meant that when I was chopping vegetable at my kitchen counter, I was to be focusing on the veggies and the chopping. It promoted the practice of being in the present moment

Sometimes my mind would wander a bit, but only to the extent of thinking how lovely the soup I was making was going to be If I was driving, my hands were on the wheel and, so, I would focus on the driving. I’d look at the road and my view would venture to the trees alongside the road, and I’d think, with gratitude, how fortunate I was to have a car, a road to drive on and a view to enjoy. I was not thinking about the meeting that I was driving to. I was not focussed on rehearsing my pitch to the CEO or on anticipating any awkward conversation that might arise. Instead, I enjoyed the drive and when I did arrive to that meeting, I was far more calm and relaxed than anxious Those meetings always went much better

What I gleaned from this six-month assignment was the practice of ‘checking in’with myself when I felt anxious or stressed I certainly wasn’t perfect at doing it, but I learned so much from it. When feeling irritable or stressed, I’d ask myself, “Where was my mind and where were my hands in that moment? Were they in the same place? Did I remember the last 10 minutes of my drive and the scenery or was I stuck in my head? Could I remember the conversation I’d just had with my son while sitting at the table together or was I recalling more something else I was thinking about during that time?” When I realized how unfocussed I was, I dedicated more time to the practice of simply being “where my hands were.”

Last Tip to Being More Grounded: Consider Your Diet

What we eat affects us, as does how we eat. A good meal, suitable for your constitution, can lead to a calming energy that enables you to get things done A high carbohydrate diet can lead to lethargy rather than groundedness and, yes, there is a difference. Lethargy leads to low energy and less productive states. Yes, you may feel ‘relaxed’ after a high-carb meal but the fact that you weren’t able to get past the couch in order to get things done can lead to more stress and anxiety.

You can go online and search for “Foods that Ground You” and you will likely find a list of root vegetables. Basically, anything that grows close to the ground. You may not be fond of such veggies and, of course, how you cook them can affect their quality and level of grounding impact Root veggies loaded with sauce, chemical additives and too much salt will likely not leave you feeling calm and content In fact, it could lead you to feel more lethargic than grounded.

I believe it is far better to monitor what you eat and notice how you feel after you eat before making any change your diet. Everybody is different and certain foods affect our mood and sense of well-being more than others. I already mentioned the adverse affect that too many carbs can have on diet. Spicy foods, alcohol and caffeinated drinks can also affect us and lead to a state of discomfort and irritability.

How we eat affects our digestion which is a key in promoting good health, well-being and grounding. Fast (and highly processed) food eaten ‘on the fly’ does not lend itself to good grounding Taking time to savour, chew and enjoy your food at a table rather than in your car or over your kitchen sink will also make a difference in your level of grounding.

Taking time each day, even if you can only manage a few minutes, is also a great way to get grounded. Tuning in to how you feel in body, mind and spirit is a form of self-care and a great way to take time that’s just for you. That simple act can, in itself, be a great form of grounding.

And so, there you have some simple tips to feel more calm, and grounded. I hope you try a few.

Heidi Pfleger has been a Yoga Teacher and Wellness Coach for more than 30 years and a student of yoga since the age of five. Born and raised on a farm in the Paris area, Heidi ventured further afield to study Yoga around the world in her twenties and has since been sharing her experiences and continuing in her studies both on and off the mat. Heidi offers regular yoga classes and individual sessions as well as wellness coaching sessions and retreats throughout the year. For more information on her programs, contact Heidi at 519-755-1447.