I've found that when I get into work-mode, I tend to really overdue it. It was recently pointed out to me that I make all of my errands and responsibilities seem catastrophically important and let personal time and fun time constantly fall to the wayside. This, as you can imagine, makes me cranky and I get so swept up in doing things that I don't even realize it. Where's the fun in that!?
So I'm making a diligent point to take a step back. Sure I have to create classes and finish my spring clean and plan out dinner and return emails and phone calls and finish up some writing pieces.... but it's not the end of the world if I go out for a walk in the park in the middle of calls and emails or if I fit in a run to unwind after cleaning out my closet. It's so important to take time to be you and indulge in 'me time' and I'm such a big fan of it, yet I tend to get so caught up in day to day "stuff" that I forget about me.
There's always going to be something or someone that needs tending to or attention, but don't forget to give attention to yourself as well! So in the spirit of spoiling myself I'm on my way to a relaxing morning yoga class and will forget about the world until I get home (when of course I have a pile of dry cleaning that needs to be dropped off, a pup that will be demanding a walk and an inbox stuffed with emails that need answering).
Give yourself permission to treat yourself. As you make daily to-do lists don't forget to schedule a pedicure in there or time to just lounge on the couch with a glass of wine and stack of unread magazines...
It's easy to get caught up in life's never-ending to-do's and that's what makes it all the more important to remember the importance of treating yourself to 'you time.'
And on that note, I'm off to class!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Finally Feeling Like Spring!
Finally woke up to warm weather and sunshine. It's been quite a dreary New York winter and spring started out pretty dismal as well. I'll admit, it was getting me down. But I finally see the light at the end of the cold weather tunnel with this beautiful sunshine. My yoga practice has also been experiencing a change of pace... nice weather energizes me and thus energizes my practice. I've also gone back to some heart pumping workouts (which is another love of mine!) and all of this activity makes me a happy girl! Ah, Spring... how I've missed you.
If you're lucky to have warm weather year-round, or if like me the sun is just starting to poke its head out from the clouds, take advantage! Indulge in a long walk, open up the blinds and do sun salutations in the sunshine, whip up a fruit smoothie and drink it outside while reading a book or magazine... the winter blues hit me hard this year and I'm ready to shake it off and get a jump start on the summer.
And today is officially the two week mark until my vacation to boot! A fabulously relaxing long weekend in Florida complete with spa trips, beach lounging and hiking in the local parks.
If you're lucky to have warm weather year-round, or if like me the sun is just starting to poke its head out from the clouds, take advantage! Indulge in a long walk, open up the blinds and do sun salutations in the sunshine, whip up a fruit smoothie and drink it outside while reading a book or magazine... the winter blues hit me hard this year and I'm ready to shake it off and get a jump start on the summer.
And today is officially the two week mark until my vacation to boot! A fabulously relaxing long weekend in Florida complete with spa trips, beach lounging and hiking in the local parks.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Torn in Two
Lately I've felt pulled in two drastically different directions. It took me a long time to get comfortable in my own skin. There are things about me that I love and things about me that I dislike. It all comes wrapped in a quirky package that makes up the real me. I think we all have that. But for the past few weeks I've felt that the real me isn't good enough. I put faith and trust in someone that I feel is trying to push me in a direction that suits his/her needs more than my own needs and rather than learn from me, he/she tries desperately to change me to fit a mold that he/she created. I'm using "he/she" because 1) I want this person to remain anonymous and 2) the person isn't what's important. The thing that is important is that I felt beat up for awhile. I took what this person said to heart and started to discount my accomplishments and get down on myself for not fitting this "picture perfect" mold. Just as people are put into your life to build you up and guide you, there are people also put into your life to challenge you.
I used to think things were all or nothing. Either you're a health nut or a junk food junkie. You're a runner or couch potato. You're laid back and easygoing or you're uptight and type A. But things aren't that black or white. And I started to see the grey in my life as well. I love to work out. I love to push myself to my limits, but when I want to relax, I want to relax! I want to veg out on the couch and watch a 9 hr marathon of america's next top model and not move. I'm all about health. I'm into fruits and veggies and have been known to fry up a mean tofu, but put a cupcake in front of me and I'll devour it. I get the importance of green tea and water, but every now and then I just need a cup of coffee or diet coke (eek!). And while I have found a love for yoga and, when prompted, will speak endlessly of it's positive impact in my life, I like to have fun with it. I love to be creative in my practice and encourage others to do the same. I like to add a little fun and flair because I believe you can have both - the wonderful mind and body connection and some laughs. I also sometimes tend to bring my tough as nails beliefs into my work outs and yoga practice - if you don't push yourself, who will!? The point is, while everyone approaches things differently, we're all headed to the same destination. Who is to say that one path is better than the next?
Don't feel funny if you whip up a vegetarian fiest (complete with tofurkey!) in christian louboutins and perfectly manicured fingernails. Don't let anyone tease you for wearing make up on a hike or thinking less of you if after your big client meeting you shed your suit and run to a Slipknot concert. Who said we have to fit stereotypes that other people create? We can drive ourselves crazy trying to fit other peoples' molds. Forget 'em!
Guess what? I practice yoga to rock music. I'm a vegetarian, plant my own vegetable garden in the summer and recycle all while being decked out in fun clothes and a full face of make up. My sneakers and workout clothes match and I like to watch Gossip Girl as much as The History Channel. I don't fit any one mold. And if someone gives you a hard time because you don't fit the "stereotype", that's their problem - not yours! So be proud that you adore chick lit and historical biographies... be true to the fact that you are as dedicated to working out as you are about a chocolate cupcake...and that you love to volunteer as much as you love Chanel handbags.
I used to think things were all or nothing. Either you're a health nut or a junk food junkie. You're a runner or couch potato. You're laid back and easygoing or you're uptight and type A. But things aren't that black or white. And I started to see the grey in my life as well. I love to work out. I love to push myself to my limits, but when I want to relax, I want to relax! I want to veg out on the couch and watch a 9 hr marathon of america's next top model and not move. I'm all about health. I'm into fruits and veggies and have been known to fry up a mean tofu, but put a cupcake in front of me and I'll devour it. I get the importance of green tea and water, but every now and then I just need a cup of coffee or diet coke (eek!). And while I have found a love for yoga and, when prompted, will speak endlessly of it's positive impact in my life, I like to have fun with it. I love to be creative in my practice and encourage others to do the same. I like to add a little fun and flair because I believe you can have both - the wonderful mind and body connection and some laughs. I also sometimes tend to bring my tough as nails beliefs into my work outs and yoga practice - if you don't push yourself, who will!? The point is, while everyone approaches things differently, we're all headed to the same destination. Who is to say that one path is better than the next?
Don't feel funny if you whip up a vegetarian fiest (complete with tofurkey!) in christian louboutins and perfectly manicured fingernails. Don't let anyone tease you for wearing make up on a hike or thinking less of you if after your big client meeting you shed your suit and run to a Slipknot concert. Who said we have to fit stereotypes that other people create? We can drive ourselves crazy trying to fit other peoples' molds. Forget 'em!
Guess what? I practice yoga to rock music. I'm a vegetarian, plant my own vegetable garden in the summer and recycle all while being decked out in fun clothes and a full face of make up. My sneakers and workout clothes match and I like to watch Gossip Girl as much as The History Channel. I don't fit any one mold. And if someone gives you a hard time because you don't fit the "stereotype", that's their problem - not yours! So be proud that you adore chick lit and historical biographies... be true to the fact that you are as dedicated to working out as you are about a chocolate cupcake...and that you love to volunteer as much as you love Chanel handbags.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Real World...Real Problems
It's been years since I've tuned into the latest season of The Real World, but for some reason (perhaps because of the NY stomping grounds!) this past season caught my attention. I watched it on and off for a few episodes and happen to catch some of the reunion show that aired last night. Now I don't know if you've seen any episodes or if you're even familiar with the cast, but I just had to acknowledge Baya from this season.
Baya wasn't seen a lot in the show. A spunky hip hop dancer, they maybe dedicated 2 episodes to her (if even) and she remained predominantly background decoration. When they mentioned this on the reunion show Baya came out and said she suffers from anxiety and when she was going through anxious episodes or having panic attacks she stayed away from the camera.
Wow! Didn't see that coming. I think it would've been a terrific opportunity to show viewers that anxiety exists in all kinds of people-it knows no bounds. I think it could've been a chance to show young people what anxiety is about and how it affects people. I think Baya is inspiring because, even though this fact about her wasn't given air time, she still stepped out of her comfort zone and moved into a house with 7 strangers and tried to persue her dreams. That's inspiring!
so here's to Baya-you rock girl! I'm so glad she took the chance to tell the world what she was going through and continued to perservere!
Baya wasn't seen a lot in the show. A spunky hip hop dancer, they maybe dedicated 2 episodes to her (if even) and she remained predominantly background decoration. When they mentioned this on the reunion show Baya came out and said she suffers from anxiety and when she was going through anxious episodes or having panic attacks she stayed away from the camera.
Wow! Didn't see that coming. I think it would've been a terrific opportunity to show viewers that anxiety exists in all kinds of people-it knows no bounds. I think it could've been a chance to show young people what anxiety is about and how it affects people. I think Baya is inspiring because, even though this fact about her wasn't given air time, she still stepped out of her comfort zone and moved into a house with 7 strangers and tried to persue her dreams. That's inspiring!
so here's to Baya-you rock girl! I'm so glad she took the chance to tell the world what she was going through and continued to perservere!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Let's Ground
I like to start my yoga practice with grounding. I also like to start each class I teach with grounding. I actually tend to put a lot of focus on it. I think we tend to spend a lot of time disconnected and the act of grounding helps bring us back to the present moment. I mean, how often are we thinking about what to make for dinner when driving to work, or how many phone calls or emails we need to return, or have our minds racing with mental to-do lists while we brush our teeth before bed?
So I like to ground. I like to connect. I like to take time out to 'be' instead of 'do.' I've recently started to see grounding have another positive impact. With the economy being unsteady and people constantly concerned about job stability and financial security it's really a good thing to make time to center and ground. We tend to define ourselves by what we 'do'. And to prove this, just think about what you would say to someone if they asked you about yourself. Most people would say "I'm a teacher" or "I run a business" or "I'm a writer." And while these are wonderful things, they are also things that can change. They aren't constant. This used to cause me immense stress. I always used to define myself by what I did. I was a runner, an exec, a writer, a reader... etc. But guess what? When it got cold outside I wasn't a runner anymore. When I switched careers I wasn't an exec anymore. When I got too busy to write, I wasn't a writer anymore... I was so disconnected from who I was that it left me aggitated and confused. I was just kind of floating from thing to thing and defined myself by things that weren't constant.
People tend to attach to the ever-changing. And now is as good a time as any to see that. Jobs are changing, money is changing, lifestyles are changing... but that doesn't mean that you are changing. Because who you are is so much deeper than what you do.
So if things tend to get a little chaotic around you or stress levels seem at an all time high, take a moment to ground. You can do it when you first wake up in the morning or right before bed... whenever you find some spare time. Sit with your eyes closed in a comfortable position. Allow your spine to straighten and your shoulders to roll back. Allow your breath to slow and relax you and take time to focus on the moment. Take notice of your body and your mind and how it feels to just 'be' rather than just 'do.' Staying centered when you feel like nothing else is can help alleviate stress and anxiety and help you feel strong.
So I like to ground. I like to connect. I like to take time out to 'be' instead of 'do.' I've recently started to see grounding have another positive impact. With the economy being unsteady and people constantly concerned about job stability and financial security it's really a good thing to make time to center and ground. We tend to define ourselves by what we 'do'. And to prove this, just think about what you would say to someone if they asked you about yourself. Most people would say "I'm a teacher" or "I run a business" or "I'm a writer." And while these are wonderful things, they are also things that can change. They aren't constant. This used to cause me immense stress. I always used to define myself by what I did. I was a runner, an exec, a writer, a reader... etc. But guess what? When it got cold outside I wasn't a runner anymore. When I switched careers I wasn't an exec anymore. When I got too busy to write, I wasn't a writer anymore... I was so disconnected from who I was that it left me aggitated and confused. I was just kind of floating from thing to thing and defined myself by things that weren't constant.
People tend to attach to the ever-changing. And now is as good a time as any to see that. Jobs are changing, money is changing, lifestyles are changing... but that doesn't mean that you are changing. Because who you are is so much deeper than what you do.
So if things tend to get a little chaotic around you or stress levels seem at an all time high, take a moment to ground. You can do it when you first wake up in the morning or right before bed... whenever you find some spare time. Sit with your eyes closed in a comfortable position. Allow your spine to straighten and your shoulders to roll back. Allow your breath to slow and relax you and take time to focus on the moment. Take notice of your body and your mind and how it feels to just 'be' rather than just 'do.' Staying centered when you feel like nothing else is can help alleviate stress and anxiety and help you feel strong.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Even Celebs Suffer From Anxiety!
Here's a list I found of famous people (everyone from A-list actors to poets to musicians) that also suffer from anxiety and anxiety disorders:
Carly Simon (singer)
Aretha Franklin (singer)
Lani O'Grady (actress)
Michael English (singer)
Sir Laurence Olivier (actor)
Earl Campbell (football)
Al Kasha (songwriter)
Emily Dickinson (poet)
Marty Ingels (comedian)
Nicholas Cage (actor)
Roseanne Barr (comedian)
Michael Jackson (singer)
Naomi Judd (singer)
Susan Powter (tv host)
John Madden (announcer)
Leila Kenzle (actress)
Sissy Spacek (actress)
Willard Scott (weatherman)
Johnny Depp (actor)
Sally Field (actress)
Shecky Greene (comedian)
Alanis Morisette (singer)
Burt Reynolds (actor)
Kim Basinger (actress)
Olivia Hussey (actress)
Oprah Winfrey (host)
Tom Snyder (host)
John Candy (comedian)
Sam Shepard (playwright)
Isaac Asimov (author)
Charles Schultz (cartoonist)
Dean Cain (actor)
Barbra Streisand (singer)
Anne Tyler (author)
James Garner (actor)
Jim Eisenreich (baseball)
Pete Harnisch (baseball)
Courtney Love (singer)
Naomi Campbell (model)
David Bowie (singer)
Nikola Tesla (inventor)
Charlotte Bronte (author)
Alfred Lord Tennyson (poet)
Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist)
John Steinbeck (author)
W.B.Yeats (poet)
Sir Isaac Newton (scientist)
Abraham Lincoln (president)
Barbara Gordon (filmmaker)
Robert Burns (poet)
Edvard Munch (artist)
John Stuart Mill (philosopher)
Interesting, no?
Carly Simon (singer)
Aretha Franklin (singer)
Lani O'Grady (actress)
Michael English (singer)
Sir Laurence Olivier (actor)
Earl Campbell (football)
Al Kasha (songwriter)
Emily Dickinson (poet)
Marty Ingels (comedian)
Nicholas Cage (actor)
Roseanne Barr (comedian)
Michael Jackson (singer)
Naomi Judd (singer)
Susan Powter (tv host)
John Madden (announcer)
Leila Kenzle (actress)
Sissy Spacek (actress)
Willard Scott (weatherman)
Johnny Depp (actor)
Sally Field (actress)
Shecky Greene (comedian)
Alanis Morisette (singer)
Burt Reynolds (actor)
Kim Basinger (actress)
Olivia Hussey (actress)
Oprah Winfrey (host)
Tom Snyder (host)
John Candy (comedian)
Sam Shepard (playwright)
Isaac Asimov (author)
Charles Schultz (cartoonist)
Dean Cain (actor)
Barbra Streisand (singer)
Anne Tyler (author)
James Garner (actor)
Jim Eisenreich (baseball)
Pete Harnisch (baseball)
Courtney Love (singer)
Naomi Campbell (model)
David Bowie (singer)
Nikola Tesla (inventor)
Charlotte Bronte (author)
Alfred Lord Tennyson (poet)
Sigmund Freud (psychiatrist)
John Steinbeck (author)
W.B.Yeats (poet)
Sir Isaac Newton (scientist)
Abraham Lincoln (president)
Barbara Gordon (filmmaker)
Robert Burns (poet)
Edvard Munch (artist)
John Stuart Mill (philosopher)
Interesting, no?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Memories Stress Me Out!
It's been quite some time since I've had to drive a long distance (which for me, long qualifies as anything over 30 mins!) and even though I've opened up my life more than ever and never turn things down due to anxious feelings I find that sometimes those old memories of anxious feelings come creeping up on me.
I used to go through severe panic attacks and episodes during my commute to work or while visiting family members and friends that didn't live around the corner. My hands would go numb as I tightened my death grip on the steering wheel and my breath would catch in my throat at the first sign of traffic.
I've found that I'm much more relaxed now when I drive, but every once and awhile, when a "longer" drive comes up, I can't help but notice my mind wander back to those super stressful times. I can almost feel my stomach clench and my palms sweat. It's not quite anxiety.... it's not quite anticapatory anxiety (because I'm not shying away from the drive or scared of it). My memories just come on strong and remind me how fearful I once was. And that memory freaks me out a little. The memories temporarily put me back into that feeling of immense dread and fear.
I guess the closest comparison I can think of is say you once took a tumble down a flight of stairs...nothing serious, just enough to get shaken. Then imagine every once and awhile when coming up to a flight of stairs your memory of that fall comes on so strong that you can practically feel your body ache like it did after the actual fall.
It's intense! And it's something I'm still finding myself working on because it's not a matter of working through a panic attack or anxious episode... it's about reprogramming my brain (in a way). I can't breathe through a memory or switch it to a positive because it's an actual thought of something that used to happen.
If you find this is something familiar to you, here's what I've found helpful: Instead of switching my thoughts or trying to ignore them (which, who am I kidding, ignoring thoughts is hard!) everytime I come across something that used to stress me out or cause me anxiety I make it a point to completely focus on how good I am now feeling. This way, when I get behind the wheel for a "long" drive my last memory of the car was me singing my heart out to some of my favorite songs with the windows down. I'm not changing my bad memories - I'm just focusing on creating new, happy ones to recall. Because if you can recall one memory, you can recall any memory. So why not make it a good one?
Take time to create new memories and focus on when you feel good and strong. Draw on those memories when you need a little boost of strength.
I used to go through severe panic attacks and episodes during my commute to work or while visiting family members and friends that didn't live around the corner. My hands would go numb as I tightened my death grip on the steering wheel and my breath would catch in my throat at the first sign of traffic.
I've found that I'm much more relaxed now when I drive, but every once and awhile, when a "longer" drive comes up, I can't help but notice my mind wander back to those super stressful times. I can almost feel my stomach clench and my palms sweat. It's not quite anxiety.... it's not quite anticapatory anxiety (because I'm not shying away from the drive or scared of it). My memories just come on strong and remind me how fearful I once was. And that memory freaks me out a little. The memories temporarily put me back into that feeling of immense dread and fear.
I guess the closest comparison I can think of is say you once took a tumble down a flight of stairs...nothing serious, just enough to get shaken. Then imagine every once and awhile when coming up to a flight of stairs your memory of that fall comes on so strong that you can practically feel your body ache like it did after the actual fall.
It's intense! And it's something I'm still finding myself working on because it's not a matter of working through a panic attack or anxious episode... it's about reprogramming my brain (in a way). I can't breathe through a memory or switch it to a positive because it's an actual thought of something that used to happen.
If you find this is something familiar to you, here's what I've found helpful: Instead of switching my thoughts or trying to ignore them (which, who am I kidding, ignoring thoughts is hard!) everytime I come across something that used to stress me out or cause me anxiety I make it a point to completely focus on how good I am now feeling. This way, when I get behind the wheel for a "long" drive my last memory of the car was me singing my heart out to some of my favorite songs with the windows down. I'm not changing my bad memories - I'm just focusing on creating new, happy ones to recall. Because if you can recall one memory, you can recall any memory. So why not make it a good one?
Take time to create new memories and focus on when you feel good and strong. Draw on those memories when you need a little boost of strength.
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