Ten tips to create inner harmony

Spring to summer is a time of renewal and growth. We see evidence of this in the natural environment around us as the buds begin to blossom and the grey landscape turns green. We can choose to listen and flow with this natural rhythm that is innately inherent in our internal cadence or we can detach from our instincts and create obstacles on our path to harmony. Use these five tips to flow with ease and grace in your life:

Gratitude journal

Our fast paced world is filled with distractions and stressors, so it’s important to tune-in to what we’re grateful for to tune-up our lives. If you focus your thoughts on what you’re grateful for, you place your attention on something positive. By doing this each morning, you set the tone for the rest of the day and attract more blessings. Take time to acknowledge and focus on the areas that fill you with gratitude to facilitate a greater awareness of what’s really important in your life.

Priority list

The speed of technology, pressures of work, and over-commitments at home can create a feeling of stress and anxiety. Break down your to-do list into small pieces that are manageable and attainable. Have a list that prioritizes your tasks and give your brain relief from the need to remember all your various responsibilities. You’ll gain immense satisfaction every time you cross one of the items off your list.

Spring cleaning for the home

Your home either nurtures you or brings your energy down. When you walk into your home do you give a contented high because you’re happy to be home or do you notice the light bulbs that need to be changed and the piles of clutter that need to be tackled? Start with a drawer or closet and begin to make your home a sanctuary that nurtures your soul.

Spring cleaning for the body

Creating a body that is nourished and nurtured positively affects your vitality and happiness. Studies have shown that exercise increases serotonin, which is the happiness hormone. Choose brightly colored fruits and vegetables that are packed with nutrients to directly influence your health, mood and spirit. Make healthy choices that will energize and foster your overall sense of well-being.

Unplug

Someone recently tweeted, “When did cell phones become appendages?” It made me think back fifteen years when a cell phone was a novelty and not a necessity. We can be plugged in 24/7. It’s important for your emotional well-being to unplug for some duration each day to connect with the sensations and delights of the real world. When do you unplug?

Breathe

Take a few moments in your day to become aware of how you’re breathing. Notice your breathing when you’re relaxed and in a good mood. Acknowledge what happens to your breathing when you’re upset, stressed or angry. Most people find their breathing is shallow, short and quick which increases feelings of stress. Take a few minutes at different points during the day to consciously take five deep breaths. This will help you reset your stress level. Take a moment right now to enjoy five deep breaths and begin to notice the difference in your body.

Sleep

Make sleep a priority. You’ve probably experienced nights in which you didn’t get a good night’s sleep. This most likely left you at less than your optimum level of functioning the next day. Your sleep has a huge impact on your overall sense of wellbeing. Additionally, sleepless nights or a lack of sleep increases your stress. If you need to make up for a good night’s sleep with a power nap, it’s important to listen to your body.

Thoughts

Begin to notice what you’re thinking as you go through your day. We have so many thoughts that pass through our consciousness on any given day. Many of these repetitive thoughts become an unconscious virtual loop that plays over and over again in our minds. Become aware of what you say to yourself repeatedly. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Positive people

We all have people in our lives that either uplift us or completely drain our energy. Protect yourself from slights or a barrage of constant negativity that deplete your wellbeing on many levels. Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you to build a strong foundation of harmony and support. It’s important to choose life-affirming verses life-draining people. Begin to notice how you feel when you’re with different people. Do they brighten your day or bring you down?

Inspired activity

You might notice times in your day when you feel truly joyful, happy and inspired. What activities are you doing that are associated with those feelings? Maybe it’s when you’re taking a walk, playing tennis, sharing a story or figuring out a complex calculation. Recognize what brings a smile of satisfaction to your face. Incorporate more of these inspired activities and moments into each day.

Integrating these five tips to help you align with the natural rhythm of the seasons and assist you in harmonizing your life!

What helps you live your life in harmony? Share with us below!

Christa O’Leary

Christa O'Leary has a degree in Human Development from Boston College and continued her graduate education in Psychology. A near death experience awakened her to explore the spiritual and metaphysical. She created the Home in Harmony Lifestyle program. This program emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body and making healthful choices with the products you bring into your home and the foods you put into your body. For additional strategies, visit ChristaOleary.com, Facebook, and Twitter for additional information about inspired living.

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