About Nina: With a degree in social work and psychology, Nina has been interested in the studies of the human mind and behaviour from an early age on. Nina is a certified yoga, meditation & breathwork teacher, has trained in Hatha/Vinyasa and holds additional certifications in Restorative, as well as Yin Yoga. "Mindfulness is every beings' birthright" is Nina's 'above-all' approach in interaction with others. Follow Nina’s mindfulness journey here.
Being calm means...
You’re always relaxed ✔
Your mind is calm ✔
You never feel stressed ✔
Internal chatter sounds foreign to you ✔
Sounds too good to be true, like an unachievable dream to you?
Don’t fret, we’ve got you! Because let’s be honest, we live in a busy society; we have jobs, friends, families, relationships and other commitments. We’re constantly ‘rushing’ to a meeting or trying to squeeze in as many dinner dates as possible.
What if I told you that all it takes is a dash of mindfulness and a splash of little routines to keep you grounded and anchored throughout your day?
Here are 5 tips to find your daily calm
- Mindful morning rituals
- Breathwork
- Meditation
- Movement
- Take breaks
1. Mindful Morning Rituals
Routines shouldn’t feel like a chore because the moment they feel forced, your stress levels rise and off goes your zen moment. But if you can create space for YOURSELF in the morning, you will soon experience the benefits of starting your day slow and mindful.
Here is a list of my favourite morning rituals (you don’t have to do everything, just pick the ones you like!):
- No screen time for at least 30 minutes after getting up in the morning
- A shot of Gut Feeling mix (in a cute mason jar ofc)
- Setting an intention for the day
- Soothing music
- Breathwork
- Meditation
- Yoga asanas or any other form of movement
- Journaling
- Gratitude practice
- Breathwork
2. Breathwork
Whether you’re an experienced Breather or have never consciously practiced breathing, simply focusing on your breathing is by far my favourite calming tool.
Our breath is our superpower; breathing correctly slows down your nervous system and always returns you to the present moment. And when we focus on the present, anxiety cannot exist.
There are so many different breathwork techniques out there. To feel more calm and centred, you want to focus on a breathing technique that works into your parasympathetic nervous system (your rest & digest mode).
Here is a list of my favourite breathing techniques to feel calm:
- Coherent Breathing
- Box Breathing
- 4-7-8 Alternate Nostril Breathing
4-7-8 Alternate Nostril Breathing:
- Exhale completely through both nostrils
- Close off your right nostril and inhale for 4 counts
- Close off both nostrils and hold your breath for 7 counts
- Release the right nostril and exhale through the right nostril for 8 counts
- Take one full diaphragmatic breath and then repeat
3. Meditation
My practice looks different every day. It really is a journey. Sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs.
Sometimes I sit and sometimes I lay in my bed. Other times I’m prepping food or have my hands deep in the soil.
Not one day is the same, just like our lives. Sometimes I show up and don’t like what I find within. And other times it’s hard to be the objective observer and label every single thought.
But what is consistent is the showing up part. Of making a conscious decision to show up, to make the time, to look within no matter what I find inside.
Meditation has taught me that I can always press the reset button. That it gives my thinking mind a break. That I can always return to my center and feel grounded.
Here is a list of my favourite meditation practices:
- Silent meditation
- Walking meditation
- Cooking (yes, preparing food is a meditation when it’s done in a mindful way)
- Yoga Nidra
- Sound Meditation
- Guided Meditations
- Yoga teacher doing swan pose
4. Movement
Movement of any form really is medicine. Getting out of the mind and feeling into the body. And guess what? You can do this anywhere. Whether it is stretching at your desk or going for a walk on your lunch break.
My favorite form of movement is allowing my body to move intuitively.
Do you remember the last time you turned up the music at home and danced around without a care in the world, not worrying about what anyone would say? Yes, that’s the kinda movement that really gets you into the present moment and out of your head.
Here is a list of my favourite mouvement styles:
- Dancing
- Mindful stretches
- Walking
- Swimming
- Vinyasa Yoga (linking breath to movement)
5. Take breaks
Taking breaks and planning them throughout your day supports your overall sense of well-being.
Create space for little breaks in between meetings
Take moments to consciously focus on your breath for one minute
Make yourself a Matcha Latte and take the extra time to froth your milk (so worth it, I promise)
