Simply step outside with your hot drink to savour a little more of your day.
I’m a tea and milk kinda girl, yours might be flat white, ginger infusion or Earl Grey. Most of us love putting the kettle on when we need a break in our day, yet it can be an auto-pilot process. Rather than run around the house doing jobs as your drink gets cold or taking your mug straight back to your desk to pour back in a few mindless gulps, make the deliberate choice to enjoy your next cup outdoors.
Cup in hand? Take the next five minutes to connect with your senses and surroundings. Notice the fresh air fill your lungs, the colours and shapes in the sky, your hands holding the warm mug, the steam rising into the air, or the sounds you can hear in the distance. Breathe and enjoy just ‘being’ for a few moments.
Research shows piggy backing activities you’d like to do more of, like getting outside, onto a pre-existing habits, like coffee breaks, is a good way to get your new behaviour to stick. It’s simple, but it forces you to pause and step-away from your to-do list. So come rain or shine, the practice of getting fresh air as you savour your drink is good for your mind and body. Getting outside increases oxygen levels in the blood helping your memory function, focus and energy. Sunlight also boosts serotonin which helps your mood and improves sleep, while Vitamin-D supports your immune system.
Who knew cuppas + fresh air = little booster to your day?!
August 30, 2024
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Nature and me go way back. Growing up in the Irish countryside, my siblings and I were often shooed outside until dinner was ready, giving us endless hours of playtime. I didn't know it then, but those years of 'play' have shaped my outlook on mental health today.
As a teenager, I had the opportunity to go on outdoor expeditions and I remember on my first trek, the leader had us stop, take off our rucksacks, and sit quietly for ten minutes. A novel feeling of awe & gratitude washed over me - my first experience of deliberate mindfulness in nature.
University life pulled me indoors and away from nature, joining the surf club rekindled that connection. My first sunset surf was unforgettable, being a beginner didn't stop me from appreciating the glistening waves or the sound of the water against the surfboard; the moment took me out of my head & back into my body. Adventure sports often bring a quick connection to mind & body, making you feel truly alive. The university skydiving club did that for me - each jump was a wake-up call. But I've since learned through other practices that you don't need extreme sports to fully connect with your senses. Going on a 10-day silent retreat and doing my doctorate research on therapists' mindfulness helped me appreciate the soft, subtle sights & sounds of the present moment.
Rhythm Reset brings together evidence-based tools as well as my personal and professional skills to offer a new way of living well now (rather than waiting for your next holiday!). One that reconnects you with your needs and the simple rhythms & joys of everyday life.
Have we met? I'm Dr Kate
RHYTHM RESET
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Download the free steps PDF and use the list of break ideas to inspire your next break time, with space to add your own favourites, and a checklist to tick off as you go.
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