Blank computer screen in front of me, a canvas waiting for the whoosh of ideas in my brain to come together and flow into my fingers, forming words that I tap-tap-tap on the keyboard. Something from nothing. Project complete.
For many of us, energy comes and goes. Some days we feel like we can take on the world; others it feels like a nap is the only way to power through. It’s important to honor your energy levels wherever you are and be sure not to push yourself too hard. However, it can be helpful to incorporate some yang energy into your day to boost your energy levels and keep you feeling alert. This upbeat practice is designed to get your blood flowing and invigorate you so you can feel energized and ready to go all day long.
For many of us, it’s easy for each day to fly by in a blur of work and family responsibilities.
For most professionals, the feeling of burnout is a familiar one. The energy that once filled your workday slowly trickles away. You notice your efficiency slip but cannot find the inspiration to regain it. The fatigue settles into your body. You can feel it in your back, your temples. Even if you entered your profession with lofty inspirations and a sense of fulfillment, you notice your inner dialogue around your job becoming increasingly negative. Experiencing burnout isn’t a reflection on you or your professional worthiness. It’s a consequence of a culture that encourages people to put work ahead of their personal needs. According to a recent trends report from the American Psychological Association, burnout and work-related stress are at an all-time high. That’s why it’s never been more important for professionals to practice mindfulness.
Every day we have the power to make choices that are empowering and help us feel our best. We can’t always control how we feel when we wake up in the morning, but we can control how we choose to move throughout the rest of our day. Joy may not always come easy, but it is a feeling that can be cultivated daily with the right practices. Yoga allows us to shift stagnant energy and become more present in the moment, creating space for more joy in our day. Practice this meditation and yoga sequence when you want to shift your energy and lift your spirits.
De todos los entornos que exploramos semanalmente, quizás nos presentemos en nuestros espacios de trabajo con mayor frecuencia. Esa podría ser una oficina en el hogar, ya que el cambio a espacios de trabajo virtuales ha sido abundante en los últimos años, o podría estar volviendo a una oficina o un entorno en persona. Cualquiera que sea el aspecto de nuestro espacio de trabajo, a menudo, cuando llegamos allí, se asume que lo único que podemos hacer es nuestra función laboral. Lo que significa que el cuidado personal queda en un segundo plano a medida que priorizamos nuestra producción.
We have all experienced times in our lives when it has felt hard to focus. With so much going on in the world and all of the distractions of modern life, it is normal to feel like your attention is scattered and to have difficulty honing your awareness on a single task. There are many powerful ways to increase focus and concentration without the extra cup of coffee or relying on stimulants. Breath, meditation, and grounded movement are powerful ways to start improving your concentration. This practice was created to invite a relaxed yet grounded awareness into your body and the present moment. Try this practice at the start of your day to boost concentration and stay in a workflow all day long.
Out of all the environments we explore on a weekly basis, we show up to our workspaces perhaps most frequently. That might be a home office as the shift to virtual workspaces has been abundant in the past few years, or you might be transitioning back to an office or in-person setting. Whatever your workspace looks like, often when you arrive there it’s assumed that the only thing we can do is our work function. Which means that self-care sits on the back burner as we prioritize our production.
Our daily habits can largely influence how we feel and how we move through our lives. Our state of mind is a culmination of these daily choices, and we have the power to make small decisions every day to benefit our mental and emotional well-being.