November Week 1: Mindless To Connected

As we head into November and our theme of CONNECTION, we will start by looking at our connection within ourselves and learning to become more aware of our actions and thoughts.

Do you know how many times a day you mindlessly reach for food? Not because you are hungry, but simply because you were “triggered” unconsciously? Maybe something happened externally (like your co-worker made an annoying comment) or internally (you were stressing about taxes being due) or maybe you simply saw some food and reached for it and popped it in your mouth--without even giving yourself a chance to think if you really needed it or wanted it?

How many times do you think a certain thought and immediately there’s a response or an answer from your brain, without you being aware of even thinking about it?  “I wonder what Pilates is like?” or “I’d like to do ____” and with no further exploration, your mind has answered for you, “Oh, I couldn’t do that” or “It’s probably too _______ (expensive, time consuming, hard….)

This week our Shift Mastery focus is on noticing those automatic or mindless thoughts, behaviors and habits -- to connect to what is really going on inside of ourselves – and start replacing them with mindful choices that are in alignment with what we really want for ourselves.  HOW?

THIS WEEK’S MASTERY “MINDLESS TO CONNECTED” LESSON

Food is a great place to start practicing this.  Each day this week, before you put food in your mouth…

1. PAUSE
2. TAKE A CONNECT BREATH: (I spoke about this in a blog click here if you missed it).  Take a breath five seconds in through your nose, hold for the count of two, and release for five.
3. TUNE IN: Ask yourself, “Am I hungry? Do I really need this? Or am I tired or overwhelmed?” If you need to eat…eat!  But maybe there is something more nurturing that you can do to truly show up for yourself in the moment to break the spell of mindless eating habit.
4. SHOW UP: Could you just go back to what you were doing and refocus? Could you give yourself a break? Take a nap? Surf the web? Close your eyes and breathe deeply? Make a cup of tea and sit and stare into space?

I hope this is helpful and that you have a Shifted and Connected week!