Tag: photography

Categories
health, inspiration motivation wellbeing

Atlantic Coast of Ireland, fresh air and soaking up the outdoors…

I was brought up in Donegal;  surrounded by fields, stunning beaches, mountains, sheep and cows. Breathtaking views…

Now, If you asked me about the Atlantic Coast when I was a teen (dying to move away from the place) I would have described it differently… Something along the lines of ‘it’s so boring and I really can’t wait to move to the BIG city’. Oh yes I loved moving to the big city at 18, for college, work, meeting new people, the nightlife and all that jazz. I had a great time (the mountains, beaches, sheep – not a second thought was given)

The importance of the outdoors and appreciating the ‘simple things’

Here I am writing a blog post about the Atlantic Coast of Ireland, older and wiser (ok, that might be debatable) as I’m visiting my family for a few weeks and it’s been over a year since I was last home (Covid wouldn’t allow and I now live in England)

Seriously though, I look out at the mountains every morning, I walk the beach every single day with my hubbie and girls (you can always wrap up) and I breathe in that fresh air.

I make sure I instill the importance of the outdoors and it’s beauty to my little girls as they grow. They absolutely love the outdoors (I love watching them skip through the fields like little lambs) There is nothing like a walk in nature to blow away those cobwebs. How I took it all for granted when I was younger…

Muckish Mountain ❤
Girls enjoying the hens, ducks and geese at my cousins farm
Happy out at the beach 💖💖
Muckish is always there ❤
Moo
I love walking the beach at sunset…
Stunning 💫
Tory Island in the background and still surfing/paddling at 9 pm
My other half soaking it all up ❤💛

Take yourself outside and soak it all up… It’s the simple things in life and nature is always there. It really is good for the soul.

Haiku

Fresh air clears the mind

Warming the soul, the outdoors

Soaking up those views

Thank you for reading my post – have a beautiful day and fill up those lungs with plenty of fresh air. Go on, get that jacket on and go for a good brisk walk ❤

Categories
health and wellbeing

Clearing that morning fog, a healthy brekkie & spring!

During a time when lockdown feels like its never ending, you tend to forget the importance of nourishing the body and mind… Do you forget to drink some water? do you forget to eat a healthy breakfast and pack up on those fruit and veggies? I certainly do.

I’ve been a bit too fond of those chocolate treats during lockdown (I really have a sweet tooth) skipping breakfast and running on empty. Its challenging when you have nothing to look forward to during a global pandemic and all you want to do is turn to those snacks and chomp away!

Being a parent and running after two busy toddlers, I’ve recently started focussing on eating a good healthy breakfast to start the day with, and drinking plenty of water (I mix a pint glass with cold and a bit of boiling water as I find it easier to drink).

I feel so much better adding the healthy foods along with water – then you’re ready for whatever work you do throughout the day as well as having energy to run after your little cherubs!

Open those windows, let the fresh air in and circulate! Working from home and more time spent indoors means a fresh working environment is needed to help ‘you’ when you’re constantly confined to a new office space you’ve had to adapt to.

Spring is here, the evenings are brighter, those beautiful blossom trees and daffodils are flourishing, and as my little girls say “mummy, the birdies are singing!”

©️ 2021 Bernie Egerton connectwithpoetry.com
©️ 2021 Bernie Egerton, connectwithpoetry.com

Stay safe, keep smiling and rehydrate along with a good brekkie!

Haiku:

A withered flower

The seeds they grow and flourish

Blossom brighten shine

Bernie Egerton @ connectwithpoetry.com
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 🐝