Small Things To Change Your Life: Task #1

Hello all!

Today I'm here to talk to you about the simplest but one of the most important things one can do to make their life shine just a little bit brighter.

BREATHE.

It's as simple as that. Obviously, you already do breathe around 28,800 times a day but I mean really breathe. As someone who struggles with sleep problems and is a huge worrier, concentrating on my breathing as become a big thing in my life. It's subtle and silent. Nobody has to know that you're doing it. That's the beauty of it. It's not attention grabbing or embarrassing. It is simply breathing in and out.

When I'm stressed out or upset I normally clean or tidy up. It's an odd habit but it helps me to calm down so there we go. But obviously, if my room is already tidy or if I'm out in public I don't anything to organise. So breathing is my go to. In through the nose; out through the mouth. You all know how it goes. Below are four different techniques you can do for circumstances of stress, anxiety or the general for relaxation.

7/11

In for seven, out for eleven. An easy-peasy one that I normally try to do for around two minutes if I can. You can also vary the speed depending on your circumstance, but try and keep it as slow as possible without feeling dramatically out of breathe in between. 

300 Backwards

A more time-consuming one that is I would go to if I'm desperate for sleep. Start counting backwards from 300, breathing in at '299' and out for '298' and so on. This requires a lot of concentration and is generally quite relaxing. Also don't worry if your mind wanders whilst doing this: once you realise that you've stopped concentrating on your breathing, just bring your breathing back into the rhythm and start from the last number you remember thinking. 

Balloon Breathe

This is my favourite and one I've been using for many years now. Start breathing in through your nose and allow your tummy to expand like a balloon. When you breathe back out, let you tummy drop and make an effort to push slightly more air out than comes out naturally. This is a breathing technique used in yoga and is very relaxing. 

Figure of 8

This one is slightly more unusual but it works well for me. With the edge of a duvet or blanket/rug or even the tip of your pinky, begin moving this around the edge of your nostrils, coming up in the middle. Breathe in whilst going down and out whilst going up (or the other way if that feel uncomfortable to you). Again, you can vary the speed but a slow and steady speed is best. Also don't apply too much pressure to your nose otherwise that'll be very uncomfortable!

"Feeling come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor."  - Thích Nhất Hạnh

I hope this might help some of you and I hope you all have a fabulous Sunday!

xxxx

Maddy

Small Things To Change Your Life Series: Tale #1

For my first STTCYL Tale, I've dug deep into my childhood and found a story which I'm sure many of you have already heard. Aesop's Fables were a favourite of mine whilst growing up and I have found this still applies strongly today. Although Aesop's moral of this story is different to the moral I thought of whilst reading it, I think both are equally important. I also love the fact that I read a different meaning into this fable than the one originally intended. That is the beauty of literature: you can read a story and take from it what you will, even if the author never intended it. It's like a lesson in which the teacher didn't mean to give you, but you take from it more than they would have ever imagined. 

The Lion and the Mouse - An Aesop's Fable

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

Aesop's Moral: Little friends may prove great friends 

My Moral: Never judge too early

My Other Moral: What goes around comes around

So, although the Lion thought the Mouse was being incredibly funny by claiming he could one day return the favour, he definitely would never regret it. What goes around comes around applies in everyday circumstances. If you treat someone badly, how do you expect them to treat you nicely back? If you forgive someone, they are much more likely to forgive you in the future. Treat those around as you would like to be treated, and soon they'll treat you that way. 

You've all heard the expression "never judge a book by its cover" meaning you should never make assumptions about somebody until you know their story. It's easy to avoid someone, just because you may have heard something about them or just generally assume they wouldn't be someone you'd like. STOP THAT! Take a chance on everybody you meet. The lion assume the mouse could never help him, just because he was mouse.

Lastly, be kind to all. You never know what could happen if you're not. I know sometimes being kind or civil is the last thing on your mind but just step back and think about others for a bit. It is never too late to apologise. It is never too late to forgive. 

I promise you that nothing feels better than making someone smile or laugh. This is one of the smallest things in our world; a two second grin or giggle may not seem too significant but trust me, there is no greater joy than bringing joy to others.

"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind." 

-Henry James

Have a fabulous Sunday,

Heaps of Love,

Maddy x

A Playlist: To Uplift

The beginning of January is always tricky. Christmas and the festive holidays have really finished now and it's back to work and school for most. 

My first week back at school has been incredibly long and crammed full of mock exams and revising (and a lot of procrastinating) and I'm exhausted. And when I'm tired, there's nothing better than a few of my favourite uplifting songs.

So, here is my 'A Playlist: To Uplift'.

'A Playlist' is a series on my blog -  for more information on this, have a look here 

I hope you enjoy six of my favourites, please do let me know what you think.

Unbelievers - Vampire Weekend

Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club

Young Folks - Peter Bjorn & John

Mountain Sound - Of Monsters & Men

Junk Of The Heart - The Kooks

Ivy & Gold - Bombay Bicycle Club