How to maintain a calm and restorative state... (a concise summary)
1. The over-riding foundation: Working on yourself from the inside out.
Improve your gut health (therefore the function of your vagus nerve and stress resilience).
2. Reminding yourself that less is more
When it comes to your health and well-being, it’s not always a case of “the more you put in, the more you get out.”. Taking a step back to reduce stress can take you further in your journey.
3. When eating, only be eating
Make a conscious decision to wind yourself down into rest and digest mode when a meal is in-front of you. Take a few deep breathes, remove stressful stimuli such as your phone or TV, ensure that you don’t eat on the move (or just after being on the move), and take your time over each meal.
4. Broader view: Stress management
Take a step back and think about how much of your day you spend stimulated (this could be as simple as scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning) compared to a state of calmness/peace.
When opportunities for stillness arise, take them. When you have 3 minutes between meetings, take a moment to be present. Waiting in the doctors office or on public transport? Cash in on some time being still. When you next find yourself walking, be present and soak in your surroundings instead of putting on your headphones or calling someone.
How to support your PNS - Winding down into rest and digest mode:
Improve your gut health, therefore the function of your vagus nerve (that makes up 75% of the PNS)
Meditation
Breath work
Time in nature
Positive affirmation/visualisation/thought
Practicing stillness and de-stimulating (unplugging)
Calming music
Person-to-person touch and interaction
Hobbies that bring you peace and joy
Prayer
Take things off your plate (so you complete all tasks)
Laughter
Comments