Join me for June Rejuvenation
A pre-summer reset for body, mind and soul
Are you searching for the spring in your step you thought would come along with the sunshine? Or maybe your pep is pooped?
If so, I’d love to invite you along on a journey with me.
Over the next four weeks, I’ll be exploring various practices, rhythms and activities to jump start my own rejuvenation and reporting back. Come join me!
Starting today, with Week 1: Rest, Comfort and Movement
Week 1: Rest, Comfort and Movement
Week 2: Nourishment
Week 3: Creative Inspiration
Week 4: The Zen Zone
Hi, I’m Holly - certified coach, Breathworks mindfulness facilitator and writer of Zestful Zen. My mission is helping you to lead a more mindful, meaningful life, full of zest and energy, complemented by a calm, zen mind. Come on in and join our supportive community. 💖✨
Rest
I started last Monday full of “shoulds” after moving from Brussels to London the day before.
I’d arrived with an ambitious list of things I was going to POWER THROUGH on Day 1 of my new London life. And you know what?
My body, mind and soul said “F**k right off, we’ll have a rest, thank you very much!”
I’d been running on adrenaline my final month in Belgium, and the crash finally came last week as it ran out.
So, instead of checking off my to-dos, I grabbed a cosy blanket, and napped on the sofa, surrounded by my furry family. 😻😻😻
Since I’m currently on leave, it’s become an almost daily routine to cuddle up together. Not at a set time, but when my body tells me I need to rest.
Often this involves sleeping, other days it’s enough to lie down for a while and close my eyes or gaze out the window.
Even just 5 minutes of lying down on the grass in the park and staring at the sky is enough sometimes.
The key has been just resting. Not reading, not listening to a podcast, not watching TV. Just resting.
Struggling to squeeze rest into your life?
Start with 1, 3, 5 minutes and go from there.
Gaze at the sky - observe clouds floating by, different shades of blue (or grey!)
Close your eyes and notice the sounds around you - birdsong, fridge humming…
Light a scented candle, inhale the scent and gaze at the flickering flame.
What does resting really mean?
When did you last take a break to just rest? Not read, not watch TV, not chat with a friend over coffee – simply resting.
How I can help you
Wellbeing resources, personal growth tips & inspiration: subscribe to Zestful Zen.
Career and life coaching to overcome obstacles and achieve your personal goals.
Mindfulness courses: build mind-body connection, lower stress, be more present.
Comfort
What brings you comfort? A nice nook to relax in? A scented candle? A bubble bath?
I’d give a resounding yes to all the above. And add a few more things to the list:
Cuddles: There’s something so soothing about snuggling with purring kitties, stroking their soft fur as they curl up around or on top of you.
Cosiness: Fleecy blankets are high on the ranking right now, until the hot weather returns. Fleece-lined leggings are also my go-to comfort wear.
Colour: Some people might like calm pastel tones, but for me, cheerful primary colour pops bring joy and comfort. I love the bright banana shade of my living room.
Clutter: I’m the polar opposite of my minimalist boyfriend on this. My shelves are overflowing with stuff. But it all has a home - there’s no chaos, just curated cosiness.
Keepsakes: My trinkets are sentimental reminders of friends, family and foreign experiences that bring a smile to my face when my eyes alight on them.
Choosing comfort
Arrange your environment to suit you: pared back or abundant.
Choose fabrics that soothe you: fleecy, silky, soft.
Grab some Epsom salts and relax in a steaming hot bath.
Take a moment to cuddle your pet (or partner!)
Movement
Movement is my perfect counterbalance to mooching, allowing me to stretch my muscles and put some pep back in my step.
I’ve experimented this month with a range of different classes (Yoga, Spin, Pilates, Body Balance, Body Pump, Body Combat – yes, I’m a big Les Mills fan!)
It’s been a joy to move my body in different ways and to recognise the strength that I sometimes forget I have, after days chained to my desk.
Plus, I love the camaraderie of classes and the flow and focus that comes from following an instructor – I don’t get distracted by stressful thoughts when I’m concentrating on where to put my feet next.
But workouts aren’t the only way to move. I find walks in nature equally restoring. Enjoying wildflowers and wildlife around me – the calming green and pretty petals.
The breeze blowing against my face and drizzle dripping on my hair heightens my senses and makes me appreciate my cosy clothing. More comfort!
Along with these more vigorous ways of moving, I’ve also been doing Mindful Movement sequences.
Mindful movement isn’t exercise. There’s no striving to achieve something or to beat your personal best. Think of it instead as a moving meditation.
The goal is simply noticing how movement affects your body (during, after and in between movements). Allowing your movements to synchronise with your breath (rather than adjusting your breath to match your movements), going at your own pace.
I find mindful movement calming, relaxing and enlightening. Slowing down to notice, I often learn new things about my body, its kinks and (mis)alignment.
Moving mindfully
Pay attention to your body and notice what movement feels good for you.
Choose fun exercise that you enjoy and you’re more likely to stick at it.
Join a group, go to classes or buddy up with a friend if company motivates you.
Try some mindful movement sequences - here are some free videos:
Frameless Meditation: Mindful movement - seated sequence (also gives a good intro explanation to mindful movement).
Mindful Standing Yoga: Guided Meditation Practices (MBSR) by Jon Kabat Zinn
The Miracle of Mindful Movement
Do you listen to your body when it’s trying to tell you something? Or do you (figuratively speaking) have your fingers stuck in your ears saying, “La, la, la! I can’t hear you!” while your body screams its lungs out at you?
Rejuvenation results
I’m only one week in, but listening to what my body, mind and soul crave is having impact. I can feel the fog of exhaustion lifting, and more joy returning to my life.
I notice the effect most in the little moments:
A chuckle as one of my cats does something silly. Waking before my alarm clock goes off. Feeling my shoulders drop as I gaze at the sky and hear birdsong around me.
And my shoulding has eased off - yes, I should have published this essay at the weekend. But I needed a couple more days of rest before I could write.
I hope you’ll feel that this post was worth waiting for.
Join me on the journey!
If you’d like to, join me on this journey over the next four weeks and try out the experiments too: starting with rest, comfort and movement.
Self-reflection and journal prompts ✍️
How do your body, mind and soul tell you when you need rest, comfort or movement? Are you listening to them?
What does comfort mean to you?
When did you last truly rest? What’s stopping you from resting more?
What sort of movement makes your body feel good? How?
If you had an unexpected hour free tomorrow, how would you like to spend it?
Share your perspective ✨
I’d love to hear your reflections on rest, comfort and movement. What’s your favourite way of moving? What brings comfort and cosiness into your life? Are you resting enough?
Let’s have a conversation in the comments. 💬
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