For those who know me, it will come as no surprise to you that I am a creature of habit. I have daily rituals which keep me in check, help me through stressful weeks and generally keep me focussed.
As of late, things have been a little crazy with work- opportunities and exciting changes happening! I have no idea how I functioned before each of these rituals, but these rituals help me to stay focussed and aligned with my values.
1. Meditation- 10 mins each day
You don't have to be sat in a sacred shack in Bali to meditate. The good news is, meditation can happen anywhere. I have meditated on trains, buses, my living room floor, whilst walking and even just before performing on stage. I believe meditation is what you make it. A chance to be still, focus on breath or even a chance to check in with your feelings. I often follow along a 10 minute guided meditation (literally from YouTube) before I switch my phone on to work each morning and it helps to set me up for the day- with a clear head and an open heart!
Recommended app for meditation: Calm app
2. Read- 10 pages per day
I used to love studying for exams, getting ready to test myself mentally. Even after all these years, I still love the feeling of learning and expanding my knowledge. My current reading list features some human anatomy, psychology and strength training books! Why do I do it? First of all, I always want to be on top of the science of fitness and health. It changes DAILY!
Secondly, I believe that the more we know, the more we can share and lift those up around us (and have fantastic conversations). I constantly share the things I have learnt with my sister, who doesn't work in fitness but who finds the information fascinating.
I have this idea that when I am 90, I will still be sharp, witty, educated in my field and STILL reading 10 pages per day or more (I guess I will have a lot more time on my hands then haha)
Recommended book: Glute Lab by Bret Contreas
3. Exercise or just MOVE- At least 15 mins daily
Our body can be complicated at times. Why do I ache? Why do I get ill?
Why do I not sleep well? Why am I overweight? Why do I feel anxious?
Every one of the above can be improved with movement and exercise. Exercise can improve your health, extend your lifespan, improve your quality of life and help you sleep better. We are only on this earth for such a short period of time. Why not give yourself the best possible time whilst you are here, whilst extending your time on this big old rock!
I have studied movement and exercise for over 15 years. I have simplified health and wellness so you don't have to. I put everything you could need in one place. I wanted to make it easy for you to stay healthy and well. That is why I devised my platform :-)
Recommended online classes: Pilates, Barre and TRX
4. Nutrition focus- 5 mins daily
On a daily basis, I will asses the nutritional value of the foods I am eating. Have I had enough green veg, beans, pulses, variety in my choices, protein and water?
How you eat is usually how you feel. We all know that what we eat affects our energy levels, our comfort levels in terms of digestion and our health.
It is easy to forget about food being a vital source of energy and nutrients when you are rushing around or going out for dinners late in the evening. But a simple acknowledgement of the basics can improve your health tenfold!
I am looking to put on a workshop with a nutritionist and dietician in the coming weeks- watch this space! In the meantime, I really rate Gousto (the recipe box delivery company) for a varied diet. They have loads of incredible recipes, vegan and plant based and you can see the nutritional values of each of the recipes- you get to keep the recipe cards for future meals too!
Recommended recipe box: Gousto meals
5. Clean space- 10 mins daily
They say that one of the best habits for success is making your bed every day. Like a domino reaction, if you make your bed, you start a chain of events which help you to be more proactive with your time. I am a true believer in keeping your space tidy- I always joke that your space is a representation of your mind. When my desk is a mess, usually my head is in a bit of a fuzz too!
I try to spend at least 10 minutes clearing my space and ensuring that where I work is clear and empty of distractions. This has served me for years, providing the right type of environment to thrive and focus!
Recommended app: Sweepy Home Cleaning Schedule
So that is me- in a nutshell! That takes up a small percentage of my day but keeps me SANE! Thanks goodness for habits and rituals.
What things do you do daily? How do you spend most of your time?
Are your habits aligning with your goals and your future life?
Charlotte "5 things a day" Tooth
www.bodybondonline.com
PS. Join Body Bond Online for a 7 day free trial by clicking HERE and let us help you improve your daily habits, movement and health!
