In modern day life, stress, tension, fatigue and caffeine mean cortisol and adrenalin run riot in the nervous system. This ultimately means that the body will naturally ‘slump’ around 3pm, making you feel tired and unproductive. Following this wane in energy comes the inevitable cravings. But rather than salt, sugar and coffee, what your brain and body really wants is a hit of happy hormones.
The Five Minute Meditation
You can literally do it anywhere – at your desk, in the car, on the bus. Put your phone on airplane mode and pop 5 minutes on your interval timer. Sit somewhere. Don’t stress over trying to find the ‘perfect’ spot. Breathe. Focus on your breath as you breathe in deeply. Pinpoint any tension in your body and let it go. Don’t beat yourself up if your mind wanders. Just let your thought (or train of them!) go, and come back to the present moment. When the timer is up, come back to your normal breath. Sit for 30 seconds, taking in how you feel.
Make Time For Tea
Peppermint, chamomile, licorice – whatever takes your fancy. Try and avoid the caffeine and make it herbal. If you really need some ‘buzz’ with your tea try one loaded with antioxidants with a little less jitter like our Dosha Balancing VATA Tea, which works to warm and relax you mind, body and spirit.
Maybe even more important than the tea itself is the ‘ritual’ of the experience. Don’t just pop a spoon of Nescafe into the closest mug. Have your own tea, a fine china cup, and a beautiful saucer. It will make the experience more mindful and your mental state calmer and more satisfied.
Get Out And About
By-pass the vending machine and take a quick walk in fresh air outside. A walk around the block will help aid digestion, cleanse the mind and get the blood circulating through the body, providing a natural afternoon energy lift. If it’s sunny outside you’ll even get your daily dose of Vitamin D – double win!
