The Physical & Mental Health Benefits of a Simpler Way of Life
Life in modern times can become complicated but it doesn’t need to be. When we approach our lives in the moment, consider for an instant the here and now, reflect upon the ground we’re standing on, the air on our skin and with each breath we take, we begin to realise that life doesn’t need to be a struggle, we just are. We can just stop and say, “I am”. This is meditation at its most simple, a mindful approach where when we move through our daily lives, we can be conscious of every movement and engagement with life, for instance the pleasure of the warm water on our hands when we wash up, the feel of our clothes against our skin, stirring food, walking, watching (without judgment) and smelling the coffee.
Our approach in the Resilient Life, is not about trying to achieve perfection in the different compartments of our lives as we’re not striving to be in competition with others or even ourselves, it is about melding with our immediate surroundings and life as it unfolds. an attempt to be in harmony with the day and whatever that day will bring, which in turn will create its own form of resilience. So, for instance while you put the kettle on for your first cup of tea in the morning, you might feed your sourdough mother (yeast starter), stir your fermenting wine or burp your sauerkraut; or later in the day you might have access to land where you can forage or tend home-grown food. These are daily healthy rituals and short meditations that can support our resilient, self-sufficient way of life.
We understand that most of us must work to earn an income, therefore the daily chores can become an inconvenience, however, when we approach these mundane daily tasks with a more expansive attitude then they can become nourishing and healthy pastimes in our lives. For example, hanging out washing, cooking, or cleaning, are all regular chores for most of us, as are digging and weeding if you have a garden. If we approach these tasks as an event that will both exercise our bodies and calm our minds, whilst we raise our arms, bend, stretch and move in all directions, to positively engage us with our physical selves as well as staying in the moment, this is almost yoga and mindfulness in its truest form. It’s about being connected.