You might wonder if yoga and mindfulness are just exercises you do outside of your day to day work. The class you look forward to in order to relax and let go of the stresses of the week.

But what if I told you that you can (and should) be looking at ways to practice daily by INTEGRATING yoga and mindfulness in your everyday life?

No, I don't mean you need to put on leggings and roll out a mat in the middle of your office, or when you're dropping your kids to swimming, or when you're doing the shopping for your elderly parents.

• It's in your posture as you stand in a queue.

• It's in your attention as you drive your car.

• It's in the gratitude you express (even silently) to those around you with a smile, a thank you, while you go about your day (even when you don't feel like it).

• It's in making eye-contact with the colleagues, partners, and family members as you speak to each other in the day.

• It's in the tasting of your food and drinks - in the appreciation of whatever you're consuming of the long line of suppliers and producers that got it to your table.

These practices of slowing down, noticing how you're feeling (checking in to your 5 senses), noticing your thoughts (your mind is your 6th sense), and deciding what the next best step is for you. This is the practice. This will thicken the gray matter in your prefrontal cortex, which slows down your emotional reactivity, and reduces your stress levels.

If you need support to establish this practice then why not join my Online Self-Care Community? I will provide you with bite-size practices to access during your day. Alternatively, or as well, why not join me in-person each week during September and October in Malahide for 2 hours each Friday morning to be guided on mindful movement, rest, and reflection.

Make your self-care your priority this autumn 🍂💟