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9 Focus Tips for a Quiet Mind While Practicing Yoga

Published on October 15, 2020November 2, 2020

The number of people practicing yoga has been on a metric rise over the last couple of decades, becoming one of the most popular mind and body practices in the world, and for a good reason too!

The word ‘Yoga’ is originally derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj,’ which means ‘to unite.’ While it’s common to join yoga classes where you can meet and ‘unite’ with other people, the term originally meant ‘uniting oneself’ or finding harmony between the mind, body, and soul. However, all of this is far easier said than done, as yoga is a skill that takes many years to master.

To get the most benefit out of yoga, it’s important to quiet your mind, remove all distractions from the space, and focus on your breath, your body, and the posture you’re holding. This is a difficult task for beginners and even for some of the most veteran yoga enthusiasts.

But fear not, in this article, we bring you nine tips on how to stay focused and keep a quiet mind while you’re practicing yoga so you can get the most out of your next session. Let’s get into it.

Meditate beforehand

As we have already mentioned, yoga is all about maintaining a calm mind and finding peace. This is becoming an increasingly difficult thing to do, especially as we are constantly distracted and bombarded with stressful situations in our daily lives.

If you go into a yoga session in a highly stressed or anxious state, the chances are you’re not going to have a particularly nice time. For this reason, it’s a good idea to do a short meditation before you begin, recentering yourself and calming your mind down before you start.

Concentrate on your breathing

If you find yourself getting distracted, it helps to calm your mind and regain your focus by turning your attention towards your breath. This meditative technique is great for relaxing your mind and body and can help alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Focus your breath and try to make it flow into the movements you’re doing, helping you to tune out from external distractions and be more present at the moment.

Don’t worry if you get distracted

If you find yourself becoming distracted from the session and unable to focus on your breath, don’t worry! Let yourself off the hook and realize that not every session is going to be a perfect one. It’s completely fine to feel hurried or restless sometimes. We are all human beings, after all.

One of the worst things you can do is to get on your own back and put more pressure on yourself because you’re ‘not relaxed enough’ or ‘not present in the moment.’ This will only compound the issues, and you’ll likely leave the session feeling worse than when you started.

Take it slow, remove the pressure, and ease into it. There’s no rush.

Put your phone away

Put your phone on silent mode, turn it off, or better yet, put it in a completely different room. The last thing you want is to get distracted from your yoga session with the sound of a vibrating phone or an annoying ringtone.

Whatever the message or call is, it can wait. Enjoy this time as it’s for you, and only you.

Wear comfortable clothing

As you already know, it’s very important to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. This is even more relevant when it comes to yoga. You’re putting your booty in uncomfortable positions and maintaining awkward postures for long periods of time. This is why it’s crucial you wear clothes that have a good range of movement and let your skin breathe when you get a bit sweaty.

One tip that most people aren’t’ aware of is that wearing headbands helps you focus more when you’re in the middle of an intense session. There are lots of companies producing headbands for yoga, we can suggest wearing Suddora Headbands which could help you concentrate during your yoga session.
When you’re doing yoga, it’s unlikely you’ll have a towel around to wipe the sweat away, which is when your headband comes in handy.

It’s also great for keeping the sweat out of your eyes and your hair out of your face, letting you focus on your yoga session, and keeping your mind quiet at the moment.

Close your eyes

Here’s a simple tip if you want to focus more when doing yoga; close your eyes. This is especially helpful if you’re in the middle of a busy class and you can feel yourself comparing yourself to other people.

Even if you’re not in a class full of people, it helps to close your eyes and focus on your breath. Visualize your movements and try to calm your mind.

Relax into it and enjoy the experience

Yoga is similar to meditation in many ways. The more you try, the harder it becomes. If you’re always panicking and worrying about whether or not you’re doing the pose correctly, or if you’re too concerned about how you look rather than listening to your body, you’re doing it wrong.

Yoga is supposed to be a spiritual practice, but you need to keep in mind that you’re doing it for fun, and it shouldn’t be taken so seriously as to cause you more stress. Relax into it, and try to enjoy the experience as much as you can.

Schedule time for yoga and nothing else

This is a big one. Schedule time into your diary for yoga and make sure that you have nothing else to do other than that. These days we are all master multi-taskers, and while that’s great for your job, it offers very little when it comes to yoga.

Schedule an hour in your day and let people know you aren’t going to be available during that time. That way, you can feel better and relax about turning your phone off and ignoring the world for a little while.

If you try and cram a yoga session into a busy day while you’ve got a million things on your mind and an important meeting shortly afterward, you’re not going to get the full benefit.

Don’t push yourself too hard

Last but not least, try not to push yourself too hard. If you’re new to yoga, join a beginner class and take it easy. There’s no use in jumping into an expert class or following an advanced course on YouTube before you’re ready for it.

Yoga takes many years to master, and even then, there’s still so much to learn. If you push yourself too hard, it’s going to detract from the experience and make it uncomfortable, which means that you’ll be less likely to come back to the next session.

Take small steps and focus on your form. Breathe, quiet your mind, and try to enjoy the session as much as you can.

Namaste!

Incredible Tips to Help You Take Care of Your Skin

Published on August 6, 2020

Beauty/Health

Your skin requires proper care and treatment. But often, people concentrate more on either their faces or hairs and therefore, spend less time caring for the skin. If you properly take care of your skin, it will glow and this will improve your self-esteem. Everyone wants to have smooth and clear skin, but you can easily achieve that by applying correct strategies. This article gives you some of the incredible tips that can help you take care of your skin to make it healthy and glowing. Continue reading to explore these tips.

1. Drink a lot of water

Drinking adequate water is one of the simplest ways you can take care of your skin. If you don’t take enough water to quench your thirst, you will get dehydrated. Additionally, if you don’t take water frequently the condition of your skin tone may deteriorate.

When you fail to drink plenty of water, your body absorbs the moisture from your skin for it to fulfill its functional duties. And because of this, the skin becomes dry and is left with tiny contorts and small spots.

2. Select lotions and products carefully

When you want to purchase lotions, you should consider your skin’s condition and complexion. Bad lotions can affect your skin and give it many dark spots and bumps. You should also know the ingredients that a lotion possesses.

Try to avoid brands that have toxic chemicals such as Propylene glycol and Sodium lauryl sulfate. These toxic chemicals can enter your bloodstream through the skin and cause severe problems which may eventually result in cancer. So when choosing a cream or oil, choose one that is suitable for the type of your skin. There are also products such as Delfinaskin, which can be used on both dry and sensitive skin.

3. Eat a healthy and balanced diet

Your diet also has an effect on your skin’s appearance. Eating fruits and vegetables regularly can enhance your skin’s appearance. Try to avoid tobacco, as well. The reason why fruits and vegetables are good for the body is because they are full of nutrients and antioxidants. They are also full of water, which is very crucial. Also, taking foods that are rich in Vitamin C is ideal for your body. Fruits such as bananas, strawberries, etc. are known to contain high amounts of vitamin C, D, or E which are necessary for healthy skin.

4. Moisturize your skin regularly

Moisturizers tend to keep the upper layer of the skin cells well hydrated and they seal in moisture, as well. Moisturizers can also attract moisture, keep hold of it, and soften the spaces between the skin cells. Dermatologists recommend that when moisturizing, you should:

Not over-wash your face because it can destroy the oily layer of the skin, causing dryness
Use warm water when washing your face
Avoid using harsh soaps as they can harm your skin
Moisturize immediately after bathing
Use body-friendly creams and ointments.

5. Exfoliate your skin

You should get rid of the dead cells layering on your skin’s surface. The dead cells act like a barrier that prevents crucial products like vitamins and lotions from moving underneath the skin, slowing down the road to having a gorgeous skin. There are several methods you can use to wipe out dark spots- you can use an enzyme or an acid-based cleanser. Remember to exfoliate before applying any lotion.

6. Get enough sleep

Through sufficient sleep, you can boost your mental and physical condition. Proper sleep also affects your usual appearance. If you don’t sleep properly, tiny wrinkles may start forming under your eyes. Normally, adults should sleep for at least 8 hours while teenagers should sleep for 8-10 hours. Make sure to get adequate sleep if you haven’t.

7. Protect your skin against the sun rays

It is no secret that the sun rays can really harm the skin. Exposing your skin to too much sun can cause age spots, wrinkles, etc. It can also increase the risk of getting cancer of the skin. That’s why dermatologists advice people to avoid too much sun.

When going out on a sunny day, use sunscreen. The sunscreen will protect your skin against sun damage and protect it against skin cancer. Proper clothing like a wide-brimmed hat and woven long-sleeved shirt can also protect your skin when you are out in the sun.

8. Quit smoking

Smoking can make your skin appear pale and old. It can also make you develop wrinkles. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in upper skin layers, which decreases the blood flow. This will make the skin look dull. It also takes away the nutrients and oxygen that are vital for your skin health.

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin [the fibres that makes the skin strong and elastic]. The constant facial expression you make while smoking; for instance, pursing your lips when inhaling or squinting your eyes to exhale smoke, can cause wrinkles. Moreover, smoking can also make you develop skin cancer. So if you want to protect your skin, the best thing is to stop smoking.

9. Look for ways to manage stress

The majority of people don’t know this fact, but high levels of stress can cause skin problems such as itchy skin, hair loss, hand rashes, forehead acne, and many other skin issues. Various studies have proved that stress boosts sebum production. Sebum is the oily substance that clogs pores.

Managing or decreasing your level of stress can significantly enhance your skin appearance by making it smoother and clearer. Some of the techniques you can use to manage or reduce stress include practicing yoga or meditation.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read some of the ways you can take care of your skin, we hope that you implement them and make it healthy and glowing. Remember the above tips shouldn’t be just practiced one in a while; you should incorporate them in your skincare regimen.

8 Things You Need To Fully Enjoy The Winter of 2020

Published on January 31, 2020

Life

It’s true that the winter season may seem endless. After the stress and excitement of the Christmas holidays and all the happenings around the New Year, we face the cold wind of January, February icicles and March sleet. One more reason to make the warm atmosphere of your home contrast with winter’s routines on the streets. Wearing coats, runny noses, and ice-frozen ears, just like crossing our fingers every time we want to start the car, shouldn’t be the only things we remember about this season.

Whether you appreciate the winter, or you would like to sleep through the entire period as a bear, there are many ways to make this season more pleasant and relax in the comfort of your house. That’s why we’ve compiled some ways to teach you how to spend this winter season actually enjoying it.

1. A perfect cup of tea

As many of us already know, the tea is an excellent companion of our small winter home routines, but also a lovely addition to all friend gatherings. The beauty of it is that it is so easy to prepare and it can be done in seconds. Furthermore, tea comes in all different tastes which means that you can explore and pick your favorites. Isn’t there anything more beautiful than making yourself this warm beverage while it is snowing outside?

2. Typical winter food

Winter invites us to make changes in our routines. We shelter ourselves to withstand the low temperatures and we make radical changes in our food habits. The urge to eat salads or fruits stops here – and cravings for rich foods full of calories such as pasta, stews, meats, legumes, soups make their own way back to our everyday needs.

When we think of winter meals, we always think of succulent, steaming and refreshing dishes. These meals not only give us body heat, but the exact cooking process can bring a lot of heat and fun to the home. And yeah, it’s so relaxing on both levels – preparing the food for your friends and family or simply enjoying it yourself. In your cozy kitchen or in front of the TV. Alone or in a good company.

Inventing a new recipe, in addition to giving wings to your creativity, will make you have a good time in the kitchen, as well. It’s not even necessary to be a super cook – not if there are dozens of Buzzfeed Tasty videos for dummies out there.

3. Great books

Apart from signing up for all the winter-themed outings, you can also take advantage and rest at home with some old, good. In this way, we manage to take refuge from the low temperatures for a while as we enter a completely new fictional world. For many, the perfect solution is to take that book that they left half-read a long time ago and finish it once and for all. Get all the novels, impressive thrillers or tear-jerking dramas you’ve always wanted to read, make yourself comfy in front of the fireplace – and the time that’s only yours can begin.

4. A cozy blanket

There’s absolutely nothing like staying home during a cold snowy day with an irresistibly fluffy blanket that wraps us whole and leaves our body and our heart warm. Add some great movie, a big mug of smokin’ hot chocolate or mulled wine – and we have the perfect plan. The major point is: the blanket can’t be missing at home in winter. No way. Moreover, get yourself several, for each room in the house.

A plaid-designed one for the sofa, another lovely weighted blanket from YNM Home for the bed… One more here and there… Undoubtedly, there are many more reasons to enjoy the winter, but to make it warm and comfortable with this kind of addition is always number one. So, just roll inside your and the cold is over.

5. Lovely candles and sticks

Candles can be the final touch for a romantic dinner, but they also contribute to the temperature of the home releasing small amounts of heat after being lit for a while. Don’t be lazy – just put them around and enjoy the sparkling energy. One plus tip – don’t leave any lights on: that will let you sink completely into the atmosphere. In some Indian shops or other thematic ones, you can also find some magically fragrant incense sticks for your living room.

The best thing about all this? You can choose any scent that comes to your mind. Think about your favorite fragrances and aromas and make this idea come true. Your nose and your mind will be extremely thankful.

6. Meditation and yoga

When this season comes, a sense of lethargy simply invades us. For many people, it’s the season where you least want to exercise – you just want to curl up somewhere warm and hibernate. But what if I tell you that yoga is one of the best practices to stay active, fight the cold and get warm?

A gentle physical exercise, which combines breathing, stretching and light movements, is the best solution to reactivate you. It sounds good, right? A morning yoga session helps us recover body temperature, prevents muscle stiffness and possible related pains, which are more common in winter. As yoga strengthens our body at a general level, including the immune system, its practice even helps keep viruses and bacteria at bay.

Not to even mention that, if you perform conscious breathing exercises correctly, you’ll also boost your immunity and feel much relaxed during the day.

7. A pamper session

Take out your favorite bath salts, fill your tub with water, light scented candles, turn on the music you love, pour yourself a glass of good wine and simply – indulge in the benefits of bubbles and soap.

At least half an hour of total relaxation will please both body and mind, and a warm bath is the most perfect way to let your brain graze and forget about any problems at work. Simply pretend your bathroom is a spa and after a good bath, treat yourself to a thorough beauty treatment. The result? Instantly ready for new challenges – or restarted, as computer geeks would say.

8. Sleeping well

Winter days are all short, but the nights, oh, nights… It’s the season when you can enjoy sleeping even more. And there’s no better feeling than jumping inside fresh and clean sheets after a long day. For better dreams, make sure the ambient temperature doesn’t exceed 18.5º, as the opposite can lead to discomfort situations. It’s also recommendable that you change the sheets every week so that the quality of sleep is better and that the atmosphere in your bedroom stays comfortable. It should be perfect for spending more time in bed on your days off or on weekends, reading or just reflecting – as much as you want.

You know what you’re going to do tonight yet? We have one more suggestion: choose all those small, lovely things that’ll make you enjoy the season (even if it had always brought out the worst version of you!) and enjoy its rich range of possibilities.

Tips On How To Relax After A Hard Working Day

Published on September 29, 2019

Health

At the end of a long and busy day or a week, you need some relaxation. Unfortunately, many people do it with the help of alcohol. Still, there are numerous other, and far better ways to relax.

Taking care of yourself is of great importance to everyone. You must find a way to relax and release all the negative energy. The fact is that modern times have brought us to the point when we are constantly “online”. People are exhausted from work, they do not sleep enough and they are stressed for different reasons. Simply – they work too hard …

So, there are numerous reasons why you need the relaxation at the end of the day, and here are some good tips on how to relax.

Exercise

You have probably heard that physical activity will help you relieve stress. Research shows that exercise plays an important role in this. Keep in mind that there is no need to run a marathon or “crush down” from exercising. A little more energetic walking, swimming, dancing … any activity can help you “blow out”.

Meditate

Have you ever tried to sit in silence and empty your mind? If you want to relax, this can be one way. Meditation helps fight insomnia and improves sleep. Of course, in the beginning, you will not be able to be in a complete state of meditation. It takes a lot of time and exercise to do something like that. But no matter what, sitting in silence for a few minutes can help.

Practice Yoga

The good effects of yoga are numerous. According to A-Lifestyle, practicing yoga can bring many benefits to our health. Yoga will help us improve flexibility, increase the blood flow, build our muscles and reduce chronic pain if we suffer from it.

As for the stress…The results of a study conducted at the Mejo Clinic show that yoga helps to relax and contribute to a sense of calm.

Listen To Music

Music certainly helps us relax. However, a study conducted at the University of Sussex in 2018 has also proven it helps us boost our immunity as well.

Take A Shower

How many times have you come home after a hard day and planned to hop in the shower immediately? This is because after a shower you always feel like a new person. It is also a good idea to fill your tub and enjoy a warm bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil. That will help you relax and be in a better mood.

Try To Read More

Reading can reduce stress by 68 percent. So, open a good book, relax and enjoy….

Tears Are OK

Did you ever cry and felt better afterward? Psychologists explain that crying contributes to “healing”. That is, it helps our body to relieve stress, anxiety, and frustration. Therefore, sometimes it’s not that bad if you cry. Cry out everything that bothers you, and move on.

Pet Cuddling

There is a reason why you feel better after spending some time with your pet. Animals do help us feel more relaxed and calm. They also make us feel more valued and needed by others.

A good way to end the day, right?

5 Rewarding Hobbies to Try In Your Lifetime

Published on March 23, 2019March 23, 2019

Entertainment

Life is too short to not take some risks in the places you visit, the activities you do and the way you live in general. There are tons of hobbies that you might never try if you don’t make it a part of your plan. There are some that are more rewarding than others and others that are just a great skill to have. One thing is certain: trying new things is great for your quality of life. You also never know what activity is going to become a new favorite. With that being said, here are some you shouldn’t let pass you by in your lifetime!

Any Water Sport You Can Try

Water sports are great for anyone, athletic or not. Water sports vary in so many ways that there is basically one for everyone. They are also popular for a reason. They are fun and can be spent in nature! Even if you don’t live by the ocean, this is what vacations can be for. Structure your next beach vacation around some custom surfing lessons that will leave you feeling accomplished!

There are opportunities to surf, wakeboard, paddle board, sail etc. You can find something for nearly all your friends or family by heading to the nearest beach. Water-related sports can be fulfilling to the entire family or group of friends with the right attitude.

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Dancing is something that a lot of people are scared to do in fear of embarrassment, which is what makes learning to dance incredibly rewarding. Feeling able to freely dance without fear of judgment is a beautiful feeling that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Take your chance to enroll in dance lessons. You might feel scared or second guess yourself, but remember that everyone has to start somewhere.

Yoga for the Mind, Soul and Body

Yoga is a hobby that can help nearly every aspect of your life, according to the yoga gurus who swear by it. It is good for you health wise. It also gives your mind a chance to relax and get in touch with the current moment. Yoga is also for anyone in any shape and in any point of life. It is never too late to pick up yoga. This is a hobby that is popular around the world for so many different reasons, might as well see for yourself.

Journaling Your Feelings and Thoughts

This is a rewarding hobby because it is an outlet for how you feel. The cost of entry is also low. All you need is a laptop to type on or a notebook to write on! Take wherever you are at in your life and turn it into something you can digest later in life or when you want to reflect.

Writing every day will make you better and better at working through thoughts and emotions. It also will make you a better writer. Once you figure out your writing style, you can work towards writing songs, books or poetry.

Gardening, Cooking and Other Therapeutic Hobbies

Gardening, cooking and other hobbies along these lines are useful and relaxing. There is something calming about making a new dish for family and friends. Also, watching plants grow that you planted and cared for feels rewarding. These are sustainable hobbies you will have for the rest of your life. They will benefit others around you as well!

There are so many hobbies in this world to try out. You really can’t go wrong with exploring any of these top-tier activities! They will bring fulfillment and joy to everyday life.

Tips to Overcome the Dreaded Writer’s Block

Published on February 1, 2019

Business

Dealing with writer’s block is frustrating and aggravating no matter what level of writing you find yourself at. Staring at a blank piece of paper or the blinking cursor for what seems like days can becoming overwhelming. As a writer, you may have bursts of inspiration and you find that you can’t stop yourself from typing up a frenzy. Then, just as fast at it may have come, it stops.

You can spend all day thinking of your topic, but your head just builds up that impenetrable wall. Conquering it seems impossible, but don’t get discouraged. Sometimes you need a break or a different view of how to approach your work or manuscript. The following are some ways to finally smash down that wall and find your muse.

What causes writer’s block?

Everyone’s obstacles in their writing are different, as are the situations going on around them. There are a variety of reasons you may be having difficulty continuing a piece. One issue can be stress. In 2016, a study showed that work, school, and finances were some of the leading causes of people feeling stressed. If you are a professional writer, writer’s block is not just frustrating, but can hold back that important paycheck. You may be annoyed at the subject matter you are writing about which can cause that wall to come up.

Physical activity

There is no one answer to find a way around not being able to write. If you have been hunched over your computer for a while, you should get up and stretch. Yoga can be a great way to calm your mind and practice gentle breathing techniques. A healthy body can influence a healthy and fresh mind. Those who do yoga feel that certain asanas or poses can help you focus. Lotus and corpse pose help teach you to channel what may worry or concern you.

Seeking help

Another idea is to seek out some some help. For example, if you’ve been working on your thesis for months, you might benefit from hiring a dissertation writing service specialist to offer you their input. If you’ve been writing a fiction manuscript, look for a critique partner to help you see plot holes or details you may have been missing. Sometimes, new perspectives and insights can breathe life into a project that might have worn you off, inspiring you to dive into your project with a whole new energy.

Creative activities

Journaling can also encourage you to express feelings of frustration. You can experiment with different writing implements such modern quills and ink, glitter markers, or felt tip markers to add a different physical feel when writing. Perhaps scouring the internet for an old typewriter and ribbon to get a feel for a different way the greats such as Hemingway use to write helps you, though lugging it to the local coffee joint may not be the best idea. Utilizing a beautifully crafted notebook can add a special spark such as a handmade journal created from elephant dung. But don’t worry, the pages are cleaned before sold.

Sometimes, too much of the same thing can introduce and overwhelming feelings into the work. Therefore, removing yourself from writing all together may help. A different kind of creative activity is sculpting with clay. If you don’t want to venture to a studio, you can go to your local craft store and buy it yourself or other types of modeling clay. While you are there, you may want to grab a loom and knit a scarf for yourself, or for your editor, perhaps. Working it with your fingers can also help release any cramping you have from the countless hours of typing or writing.

Keeping your mind occupied with other activities or forms of writing encourages your creative spark to ignite not just something else, but to be given a moment to build. You may even discover a new hobby you love just as much as writing. Next time you experience a form of writer’s block, keep these tips in mind.