Rejuvenation Lounge

By Carole Fogarty

Editor of  Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:

 

Monthly Feature:  November Give-aways:

The 3 very lucky winners of  last months yoga eye pillows are announced in this post:

 

Conquer Everyday Stress With A Dash Of Zen:

This month I’ve hand selected (after much searching) a book called The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide: 77 Simple Strategies for Serenity by Kate Hanley.   Kate is founder of msmindbody.com,  a contributing editor to Body+Soul and a regular contributor on stress relief for goodhousekeeping.com

 

 

 Kate Hanley, Author and founder of msmindbody.com

 

She’s a frequent guest on Martha Stewart Living Radio and lives in Brooklyn with her partner and brand new baby.   Congratulations Kate. We have an upcoming interview with Kate, right here on the Rejuvenation Lounge so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, leave a thoughtful comment below to win one of three copies of her book.

A big thanks to Kate for being so generous with the give-aways, and don’t you just love her cheeky smile.

 

Five Reasons Why I Love This Book:

 

The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide:

 

1:  Kate gives clear, step by step instructions with pictures on how to relieve specific stressful situations. It’s broken down into simple sections. Time needed, instructions, modifications and benefits.

 

2:  No matter what your stressful situation you’ll certainly be able to find a topic that covers it.  Topics include fight with husband/boyfriend, hangover, meeting people for the first time, afternoon slump, stuck on hold, tight back, shoulders and neck, depressed, cramps, getting dumped, stuck in traffic and believe me lots, lots more.

 

3: Kate’s approach is very holistic which I love.  She draws on yoga, meditation, nutrition, mindfulness, eastern philosophies such as Chinese medicine and breathing techniques.

 

4:  77 situations and 77 do anywhere remedies.  What more could a girl ask for.  I love the “saying no” pose.  Gives you the inner strength to say no more often.

 

5:  Here’s a handy trick for when you have a headache:  This is an awesome acupressure exercise that targets your  head, neck, jaw and face area and its found on your left hand.  The fleshy bit between your thumb and index finger. Place your right thumb  on top and your right index finger just below.  Apply moderate pressure and hold for 30 seconds.

 

 

 

The Perfect Gift For A Stressed Out Friend:

If you are on the look out for a present for a girlfriend or family member, I can highly recommend this book.  I’ve even got a copy for myself.   Click here to zip over to amazon for The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide:

In the meantime make sure you leave a thoughtful comment below and you could be one of the lucky winners.

 

Winners of Octobers Yoga Eye Pillow Give-Away:

I’m thrilled to announce that the three lucky winners of the fabulous yoga eye pillows from Divine Goddess are:

• Sandy Pittis
• Tina Hayden
• Vickie

 

 If you are one of the luck winners could please let me know your contact details so I can mail an eye pillow to you.

 

Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.

You are welcome to come back and visit my blog the Rejuvenation Lounge  anytime or grab daily rejuvenation tips from me over at twitter.

 

 

More Great Ideas For You to Rest, Relax And Unwind:

The authentic chocolate facial:

The ultimate rejuvenation recipe for your bedroom:

Relax and unwind with a yoga eye pillow:

The Lazy way to dissolve your fatigue:

10 Tension busting tips to grab on the run:

 

 

By Carole Fogarty

Editor of  Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:

Nourish Your Fives Sense And Calm Your Nerves:

I have a confession to make. After a recent visit to Michael, my Ayurvedic consultant I have stress rings showing in my eyes.  Impossible I say.  I feel great.  The eyes however - never lie (according to iridology) and simply reflect whats really going on inside the body.  Bugger (An Aussie term for - I’m not happy)

 

Photo by visual panic:

 

In case you’re not familiar with the term Ayurveda, its the sister science to yoga and thousands of years old. Its a complete health system for your body, mind and soul.  You’ve probably come across Ayurveda, if you are into yoga or have read Deepak Chopras book - Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide

 

Are Your Senses Malnourished?

Anyway, after answering a series of questions from Michael, plus an inspection of my tongue and eyes, the bottom line is I have not been mindful about nourishing my senses, which of course effects my nervous system and well being.

Quite simply the needs of my senses have been neglected and exposed to sounds, flavors, smells, feelings and sights that have depleted and distressed them.

Caring for my senses has got to be one of the best prescriptions a health practitioner has ever given me.

 

Nourish Your Senses With More Of What They Need:

 

Ears:

Reduce your exposure or turn down the volume (if you can) to sounds and noises that are unnecessary, displease or aggravate your sense of hearing.  More importantly, add sounds throughout your day that you know will calm and nourish you to the core.

• When was the last time you were soothed by the sounds of nature?
• How often do you listen to the sound of silence?
• How many pleasant sounds do you enjoy each day?
• What can you hear right now?

 

Michael recommended that I should buy an album by Krishna Das called the Flow of Grace to play often and calm my nervous system. I’ve ordered the CD and look forward to receiving it.

 

Skin:

Touch can offer enormous nourishment to our emotions such as a comforting hug, being wrapped in a cosy blanket or soaking in a warm healing bath. Our skin and sense of touch is constantly interacting with the world around us.

• What’s your favorite thing to touch each day?
• Which parts of your skin never get loved or touched?
• Notice the textures of your clothes and how they make you feel.
• How many hugs do you get or give each day?
• Have you let the sun touch your skin lately?
• When was the last time you had a massage?

 

A daily self massage is well known to calm and relax your nervous system.  I have totally fallen in love with my daily warm oil massage ritual and so has my body. Having the oil warmed, soothes and pacifies your nervous system even more.

Hugging is a daily pleasure you should never go without.  I love hugging my boys and they love hugging me. Heh, you can even hug yourself.

Why not indulge in a homemade chocolate facial. Warning, they are addictive.

I avoid where possible having any synthetic fibres on my skin.  Today I’m wearing organic jeans from Target and 100% cotton tops. Start noticing how different textiles and fabrics make you feel.

Think I’ll buy some new soft towels for the bathroom, new sheets for my bed, book in for a massage and hug my boys some more. That should do it.

 

Eyes:

Your eyes are very important as they are connected to your entire nervous system. The outside world is demanding their attention with flashing lights, colors, headlines and visuals.  Overworked, tired, strained and under loved eyes will exhaust you and deplete your organs. I know my eyes desperately need more loving care.

• How do your eyes feel right now?
• Do your eyes get much variety during your day?
• Are you eyes exposed to lots of natural light or is it all artificial?
• What images please your eyes the most?
• Do you give your eyes some “down time” each day?
• When was the last time you looked at the sky?
• How often to you let your eyes rest in nature?
• Massaging your eyes will rejuvenate your organs

 

Surround yourself at home and at work with stuff and colors that please your sense of sight.  After my visit with Michael he suggested that I dab pure rose water onto my eyes each morning to sooth them. I’ve got to add, I’m loving this new ritual and now my boys are wanting a spray as well. I’m also going to be looking up at the sky more often throughout my day and taking more regular short breaks away from the computer screen. A few eye exercises wouldn’t go astray either.

You can also rest your eyes with a 5 minute yoga eye pillow break.

 

Tongue:

Eat for taste and pleasure and because you have to. Your body knows the difference. Some days I get so caught up with writing and work that I eat without tasting.  Naughty me.  Eating unconsciously is a sure sign you are ignoring your sense of taste.

• Do you multi task when you eat?
• What are your taste buds saying to you right now?
• What are your favorite tastes?
• Do you eat in a relaxed environment?
• When was the last time you ate something that totally excited your taste buds

 

My focus for the last 2 weeks since seeing Michael is to eat in stillness.  No reading, writing, talking or planning at the same time. I’m discovering just how clever my tastes buds are and how much information and feedback they are constantly giving me about the food I am eating. I am definitely happier when my taste buds are happier.

 

Nose:

You collect information from your environment by smelling. Smell is closely associated to your feelings and emotions. Every single human being has their own unique “smell finger print”. We are all different as to what smells we like and don’t like. Human beings can recognize over 10,000 different types of smells. Amazing.  Emotions can be triggered by the memory of smells.  Interesting.

Re-discover which smells make you feel good, nourish your nervous system and evoke happy memories.

• What can you smell right now?
• What smells can you add to your home and office to nourish and uplift you?
• When was the last time you really, really smelled the air, your garden and nature?
• Are there any smells you could eliminate from your home?
• Did you know the essential oil vanilla evokes happy memories?

 

As I have a keen sense of smell I really do nourish my sense of smell. I’m very conscious of the smells in my home, in my food and on my body. I use essential oils, incense and fresh herbs and flowers always.  All my cleaners are natural and our home is virtually chemical free.  The smell of artificial, chemically filled cleaners really upsets my sense of smell, along with cigarette smoke and lack of fresh air. Not keen on air conditioners at all either.

 

Let Me Know Which Of Your Senses Are The Most Malnourished:

I’d love to hear which of your five senses need the most support and attention.

 

Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.

You are welcome to come back and visit my blog the Rejuvenation Lounge  anytime or grab daily rejuvenation tips from me over at twitter.

 

More Great Ideas For You to Rest, Relax And Unwind:

The authentic chocolate facial:

The ultimate rejuvenation recipe for your bedroom:

Books that boost your spiritual health:

10 Tension busting tips to grab on the run:

I dare you to put yourself first for one month:

Clutter busting game: Act as if you are moving overseas:

Simple solutions if you can’t shift clutter:

 

 

By Carole Fogarty

Editor of  Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:

Dissolve Your Fatigue And Stress With 10 Minutes Of Deep Rest:

 

Lie down, now get extra comfy, then close your eyes. Let your legs and feet flop out, rest your arms by your side and stop frowning.  You have successfully triggered different responses in your body and nervous system.

You have cleverly invited your body to unwind, release the fatigue, then relax and finally rejuvenate itself.  And you didn’t even lift a finger. Yeah! You.

 

 

Photo courtesay of GraceD

 

Treat Yourself Daily To 10 Minutes Of Deep Rest:

Deep rest is very different from sleep, relaxation and dare I say watching TV.  You stop doing, watching, eating, following, reading, planning and moving. You are requesting absolute stillness from your body, to quieten your mind, digest your daily activities, call back your scattered energies and melt away stress, tension and fatigue.  Fatigue stays inside your body unless you let it go. Deep rest allows your body to rejuvenate itself naturally, once its given the opportunity.

Never, ever underestimate the amazing healing power of this very simple yoga posture savasana or corpse pose. I love it, love it, love it. Ten minutes, I guarantee will change the quality of your day.

I personally like to do it before lunch and just after a productive morning.  I figure its far healthier to eat my lunch in a relaxed state than rushed and tense.

 

The Healing Benefits Of Deep Rest:

• Releases fatigue from your body
• Melts away your stress and tension
• Nourishes your nervous system
• Strengthens your immune system
• Brings back your scattered energies and puts your life back into perspective again

 

 

Give Your Mind Something To Do Whilst Your Body Is Resting:

Your mind will never be too keen on doing nothing for 10 minutes.  It’s likely to get frustrated, bored or think of something really, really urgent that it needs to do.  To get the most out of your deep rest give your mind something to do whilst your body is rejuvenating.

 

1. Let your mind follow your breath. Once your breathing slows down then your mind will automatically follow.
2. Repeat an affirmation in your minds eye. Breath in “I am calm” Breathe out “I am relaxed”
3. Or, let your mind focus on relaxing every part of your body. Start feeling your toes relax, then move your awareness to focus on relaxing and softening your feet, then to your ankles, legs and so on.

 

 

5 Simple Ways To Get Extra Comfortable:

To get the most out of your “deep rest” make sure you are as comfy as possible. Please, don’t give your mind anything to complain about or it will. Here’s a few simple things I do to make sure I’m extra comfy.

 

1. Wear socks and cover myself with a blanket.  You will cool down very quickly.
2. Place an eye yoga pillow filled with lavender on my eyes to relax them
3. Play soft calming music in the background (I even spray my face with rose water so my sense of smell is happy)
4. Place a blanket under my neck/head if I am needing a little support on the day
5. Some days I feel like bending my knees and not having my legs flat.  If this happens to you use a bolster or cushion under your knees to support your lower back.

 

 Warning, this is very addictive. Enjoy in small doses!

 

 A quick note.  Winners of the yoga eye pillows will be announced very soon.  It’s not too late to enter.

November give-aways have just arrived via Fed Ex in the States.  You are going to love them.

 

 Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.

You are welcome to come back and visit my blog the Rejuvenation Lounge  anytime or grab daily rejuvenation tips from me over at twitter.

 

More Great Ideas For You to Rest, Relax And Unwind:

Shake off your afternoon slump:

Books that boost your spiritual health:

Does your home pass the stress test?

9 ways to soften yourself up for a great nights sleep:

10 Tension busting tips to grab on the run:

10 Ways to adjust the speed of your day:

Relax and unwind with a yoga eye pillow: