Tag: health and wellbeing

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Self-Care, wellbeing, you time, health and well-being, life coaching, life coach, healthy living, wellness

Self-Care! What do you enjoy for a bit of YOU time? Here’s how to get that ball rolling!

Hello there you!

How are you feeling today and do you manage to get a bit of self-care into your daily routine?

Self-Care is an expression thrown around so much these days isn’t it? But, it really is a practice you should incorporate into your daily life.

For me, I feel so much better after a 30 minute walk surrounded by nature, should it be in the park, or anywhere with plenty of greenery. I enjoy walking in a nice quiet environment! I always feel refreshed after a brisk walk as it clears my mind. Throughout a walk it gives me time to reflect on things, to admire the beauty of nature and to just be with me!

If you work in an office, even taking a 15 minute walk outside for some air during lunch can make all the difference. It’s about getting into a little habit.

What form of Self-Care do you enjoy?

Self-Care can mean absolutely anything, it can be sitting reading a good book uninterrupted for 20-30 minutes. It can be playing your favourite instrument, meditating or going for a swim. Even a walk on the beach or taking time out to enjoy your favourite cup of tea/coffee without the rushing about. Oh, do I love sitting down with that obligatory chai latte. Something so simple can be so powerful; when you let it! Anything that makes you feel happier/relaxed.

Enjoying a hot cuppa without the rush!

Dedicating time for you

Starting a habit that focuses on your needs should become priority; and a good habit at that. We live in a world where life can be so busy and we often forget to put our own needs first. If you are in a constant state of ‘rush’ then you find it hard to focus on what you really want/need. Even 20 minutes each day will make all the difference as you are becoming aware of your needs. After a while it will become habitual.

To build a habit, you need to practice it.

Make it easy

James Clear

Just breathe

If you find you are feeling a bit overwhelmed/stressed at times then take a step back and concentrate on your breathing. How does your breathing feel? What is worrying you?

Inhaling deeply (filling those lungs) and exhaling slowly a few times should help you to connect with yourself and to feel more relaxed. It’s so simple and yet again, powerful!

Connecting with nature!

Remember: YOU are always priority and taking that time out to practice Self-Care every day is so important for your physical and emotional well-being. Think about what it is that YOU enjoy. How can it become a habit? Could it be a 20 minute walk during lunch. Could it be reading a good book or sitting down and being completely present with that hot cup of tea/coffee. Whatever it is; make it a habit going forward. You owe it to your body and mind. Learn to become more self-aware and to tap into what makes you feel good. It really is about the simple things in life.

You should ALWAYS be priority

What Self-Care practice is part of your life?

Categories
mindfulness poetry community relaxation wellbeing

Autumn. Those colours, the cosiness and a little piece of rhyming poetry

Ah hello there you!

Do you like Autumn? I do. It’s such a lovely time of year. Plus October is also my birth month. Watching those colours in abundance and the crispy leaves crunching as you walk along the streets, is such a beautiful mindful experience (ok, it can be annoying when they blanket your garden and you have to fill bags full of leaves)

I love wrapping the girls up, taking them to the park to run through those leaves while picking up the remaining conkers that are still lying around. I also enjoy Halloween and getting the girls all kitted out and carving that pumpkin – oh I loved a good Halloween costume party myself back in my going out days!!

Poetry and mindfulness

I wrote and posted the following poem as one of my first blog posts back in March and I’m sharing it again (being Autumn and all; I wrote it last Autumn) as I’ve been practicing mindfulness during this pandemic and it really helps to be present and to ease any overthinking/worrying… My goodness, the difference when you adopt a new exercise into your life and start to focus more on “yourself”. I’ve fallen so much in love with writing during this pandemic.

Lost in the moment of life and it’s art

A Flock of wild birds
they fly in chilled air
I walk, embracing
the earths open heart.
A seagull it sweeps,
alone with no care
lost in the moment
of life and its art.
The ring of church bells,
white tracks,
a blue sky,
children,
they giggle
dog walkers pass by.
Bare trees that stand tall
with nests where birds grew,
leaves lying crumpled
and soggy from dew.
Clear beads as they rest
on blades of green grass,
autumn alive,
soft clouds as they pass.
A squirrel,
It dances,
I watch, he’s aware,
Its bushy long tail,
he captures my stare.
This vision absorbed,
the rush is no more,
nature alive
unlocking my core.
Connections so strong
I open my heart,
lost in the moment
of life and its art

Bernie Egerton

Thank you for stopping by to read my post. Don’t forget to look out for all those colours changing when out and about: absorbing that beauty and feeling those leaves crunching beneath your feet as the leaves fall!

What is your favourite thing about Autumn?

Have a beautiful day!

 

Categories
poetry writing tips

Ten tips, to help you on your poetry writing journey and some styles!

When I started writing poetry I was eager to learn more about the skills attached to this incredible creative outlet.

The following tips can help ‘you’ strengthen your writing skills and to understand more about the art if you’re just starting off.
Its a few pointers on what helped me (and still does) starting out. I continue to learn every day and I’ve had a few poems published to date.

Ten Poetry Writing Tips:

1. Read a poetry handbook to learn more about the craft, highlighting sections for future reference so you can always refer back to (I still refer back to mine!)


2. Read poetry every day, from a range of different poets, styles, themes, even if its just one or two poems each day.


3. Listen to online poetry readings and recordings, feeling the flow of the words and to connect in a form different to reading.

4. Listen to a poetry podcast


5. Keep writing when in the flow, when inspiration hits and feel that poem.

6. Edit later, or leave for a few days and return to edit with fresh eyes and read aloud.

7. If feeling overwhelmed with writing, give it a breather and read poetry instead (you’re still learning and absorbing all about the art)


8. Find what style you prefer and work on it.


9. Join poetry clubs and share your work

10. Lastly, enjoy the process 🙂

Styles:

Recently I’ve been focussing on writing shorter types of poetry such as Limericks and Haikus.

A Haiku consists of 3 lines in total and the traditional rules are:
Line one has 5 syllables
Line two has 7 syllables
Line three has 5 syllables

A Limerick consists of a five line poem and it can be witty and fun to write. Traditional rules are: First second and fifth line rhyme
Third & fourth line rhyme (AABBA)
First, second & fifth lines have between 7-10 syllables
Third & fourth lines have between 5-7 syllables

Hope these tips help ‘you’ with your poetry writing – its what helped me when starting out!

A haiku to start your day with!

Turning the page to

A crisp new day, breathe a smile

Wipe away the dust

Connectwithpoetry.com

Stay safe, keep smiling and happy writing 🙂

Categories
relaxation

Visualization, connecting with nature and relaxation…

During a time when our busy lifestyle can make us feel tired, stressed and exhausted: taking time out for some mindful moments can help you to find that balance needed to reconnect with yourself. Visualization exercises are great for finding that balance needed and for a bit of ‘you’ time.

Connecting with nature:

A walk along the beach is so relaxing.  There’s something peaceful about being near the sea, listening to the swishing sound of that ocean, as your bare feet glides through those ripples. You can feel a sense of calm and connection to this beautiful environment, as you dip your toes into that water, feeling the smooth sand sinking under your grounded feet, being mindful throughout and soaking up that peaceful scene.

©️2020 Bernie Egerton
©️2020 Bernie Egerton

Its tough when you’re feeling anxious and trying to stay motivated and relaxed, especially during a global pandemic. Throughout lockdown, I found going for a brisk 20 minute walk outside and connecting with nature helped to clear my mind and reconnect with myself. Also being a mum, its important to have a bit of ‘you’ time, refreshing the mind and to relax if feeling overwhelmed.

©️2020 Bernie Egerton

Relaxation exercises are helpful if you are having trouble relaxing or sleeping. I’ve been practicing vizualization exercises on occasions where I struggle to fall asleep at night. Helping me to focus and relax while taking deep breaths throughout.

Visualization exercise:

The following technique, can help anytime when you’re feeling stressed. it can be very beneficial, especially after a busy day!

  • Close your eyes
  • Inhale deeply for 3 seconds
  • Exhale for 4 seconds
  • Visualize the soothing swishing ocean and the scene of that calming beach
  • Repeat, inhaling for 3 seconds and exhaling for 4 seconds

Deep breaths

Visualize

Relax…

Take some time out during periods of stress for relaxation exercises to recharge those batteries. You deserve it!

©️ 2021 Bernie Egerton

Categories
happiness

Happiness during a pandemic? I know. A short poem and something to think about…

What’s this, a poem about happiness during a global pandemic I hear you say? I know. It’s hard for you to think about such a word. But it’s during this pandemic when I wrote this poem (end of page) and, when my poetry journey began.

Digging deep from within and thinking ‘what is happiness’?  Is when you realise it’s the precious, daily things and not constantly chasing this ‘BIG’ idea of what makes ‘YOU’ happy.

We now have so much more time to think about and appreciate life during this Covid rollercoaster. Normal life stands still at the moment, and normality is that little bit away yet. But the light (although it seems far away) is beaming through those clouds, as this vaccine rollout continues and strives.

It’s a little piece of rhyming poetry to hopefully bring a smile to ‘your’ face and something to think about.

Happiness

Happiness is hearing your children giggle, Playing without a care.
Happiness is having a stroll on the beach
Inhaling that fresh air
Happiness is drinking cups of tea,
Relaxed without a worry.
Happiness is listening to music,
Lost but not in a hurry.
Happiness is watching flowers in bloom,
The warmth on a summer’s day.
Happiness is time with family and friends
Laughing and chatting away.
Happiness is laughing so hard,
Your eyes fill up with tears.
Happiness is sharing stories,
With family, friends;  no fears.
Happiness is the simple things
In life that make you feel whole.
Happiness is a connection –
Touching deep, within your soul.

©️ 2020 Bernie Egerton @ connectwithpoetry.com

Bee happy 🐝

Categories
motivation

A Limerick to Spur You on & how we Miss our Family & Friends

Limerick

Together we’re witty & wild
Loving our true inner child
Connections so strong
Oh its been too long
And that’s just putting it mild!!

Oh you do miss the banter (as we say in Ireland) with great friends and family. Its hard in lockdown – with all the restrictions in place and family/friends being spread out in different countries. But, all the funny moments and the memories are precious – making the much needed hug when all this is over, even more special!! A drink of choice over a video call will have to do for now, but thats ok.

Family and friends

Tea with milk

The perfect blend

-connectwithpoetry.com

Categories
mindfulness

Mindfulness

I wrote this reflective poem, just after a mindful walk. Being present, focussing on nature and the beauty that surrounds you, while appreciating the small but important things; makes such a difference!

Lost in the Moment of Life and its Art

A Flock of wild birds
they fly in chilled air
I walk, embracing
the earths open heart.
A seagull it sweeps,
alone with no care
lost in the moment
of life and its art.
The ring of church bells,
white tracks,
a blue sky,
children,
they giggle
dog walkers pass by.
Bare trees that stand tall
with nests where birds grew,
leaves lying crumpled
and soggy from dew.
Clear beads as they rest
on blades of green grass,
autumn alive,
soft clouds as they pass.
A squirrel,
It dances,
I watch, he’s aware,
Its bushy long tail,
he captures my stare.
This vision absorbed,
the rush is no more,
nature alive
unlocking my core.
Connections so strong
I open my heart,
lost in the moment
of life and its art