Defining: inner spark
We all have one – an inner light, our core essence or life force that exists beyond the body or mind.
Extinguishing
You will know when you have lost yours.
Do you experience any of the following?
· Burnout
· Fatigue/ lethargy
· Lack of motivation
· Low mood
· Overthinking
· Overwhelm
· Poor sleep patterns
Rekindling – guiding you back to you
Emotions and feelings act as our internal navigation system. Tune into yours right now. How are you feeling?
Our inner light is sparked by feelings of joy, peace, happiness and excitement. Making changes to improve your health and well-being does not require a considerable amount of time, effort or money.
Invest in yourself – here are 5 starting points to ignite your spark today.
Breathe
The breath: our superpower. Breathing is the unconscious action that sustains our life force by connecting mind, body and spirit. Commonly, our breathing becomes shallow whenever we are in a state of stress or anxiety; we may even hold our breath without realising. In learning how to reconnect with your breath, you can access the point of power in regulating your entire system – body and mind. Pranayama, the Sanskrit term that translates as ‘vital life force’, is the practice of breath regulation. It is one of the main components of yoga -a practice for physical and mental wellness. There are many different pranayama techniques that are used to harness universal life force energy, our prana.
Discover more about one such breathing technique that can help you dissolve stress and anxiety in our next blog post: The Breath: our Superpower.
Move
Dance. Walk. Stretch. Run. Bounce. Just move in a way that brings you joy. Movement is a fundamental aspect of life; it is more than just exercise and does not necessarily require considerable effort. Body and mind are intricately connected. In choosing to move our bodies each day, we can positively impact many aspects of our health and well-being - increase energy; improve circulation; boost mood; improve sleep; strengthen the immune system; regulate digestion and elimination to name but a few. There may be a tendency to overlook the fascinating capabilities of our physical being; its functionality for everyday living becomes the norm. Take a moment to marvel at the biological engineering that is the human body. Love your body, love your temple. Make time to move and have fun.
Connect with nature
Nurture yourself in nature. Spending time in a natural place of beauty can help you to connect to the elements, your inner voice and higher self. Research studies[1] have scientifically proven that immersing yourself in nature can be beneficial for health and well-being in many ways. Being in nature, living close to nature or even looking at images of Mother Nature in all her glory can positively impact our body, mind (feelings and thought-processes) and social interactions. Make time to seek out some green space, try a spot of gardening or even bring the outside in by tending to houseplants or window-boxes. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Meditate
Meditation is about training the mind to become more present. Rather than silencing thoughts, meditation allows us to observe, to become the witness of our inner dialogue without judgment. Give love to your mind today. There are a multitude of benefits to be gained by meditating for as little as 10 minutes each day - clear and soothe your inner landscape to help you feel more grounded and balanced.
Where to begin? A simple breath-focused meditation can be a good starting point.
· Carve out 5 to 10 minutes for yourself
· Find a calm and comfortable environment
· Choose to sit in silence or find a relaxing music track to listen to
· Close your eyes
· Place one hand over your abdominal region for a sensory connection to the breath
· Breathe in and out through the nostrils, your lips gently closed
· Focus attention on your breathing – notice its natural rhythm and flow as you inhale and exhale
· Continue for a set amount of time
· Open your eyes and notice how you feel
Read an inspiring text
Dedicating time to read an inspiring text can open your mind to wisdom of the greatest leaders, entrepreneurs and thinkers of all time. Feed your mind with uplifting content as a form of self-care. Here are Sparqe’s current recommendations:
Living Fearlessly by Paramahansa Yogananda
A concise read that reveals life-transforming counsel on how to overcome your own limitations.
The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks
Inspiring words from 13th century Persian poet Rumi – The Guest House is a particular favourite.
What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey
Words of wisdom in the form of short essays shared by one of the world’s most extraordinary women.