The year has only just begun, and you’re already back to the daily grind of work, family and fast-paced projects, despite the lofty resolutions you made. Remember to slow down and take your time! I’m an entrepreneur who runs eight franchises in addition to juggling millions of projects. My biggest fear is regret, so I seize every opportunity I get. Project after project, I’m a real creative whirlwind. Then, last November, I went on a yoga/surfing retreat with the
Salty Souls team that changed my life. After attending several personal growth workshops, I had an epiphany! My greatest fear was no longer missing out on opportunities: it was not seeing the time passing by or having the chance to savour life, moments, people and each instant of bliss. Time flies when you jump from project to project without stopping. You even forget to be grateful for what you have. It’s important to take time to stop and smell the roses, relax and clear your head. Are you familiar with the concept of slow living? It simply means taking your time. Let’s be real, though: we live in Quebec, not Mexico or El Salvador, so it’s almost impossible to practise this 24/7. That’s why I made a deal with myself to take a break twice a week in 2019. Here are my tips to make it happen.
I loved this book! It’s about waking up at 5:30 a.m. while the city is still sleeping and taking advantage of this peaceful time to savour the silence, say affirmations, meditate, work out, do yoga, write or read. The book offers a six-step routine that will quickly become an essential part of your day. Hal Elrod proposes a 30-day method to change your habits, which can be tailored to your profile and goals. In two hours or six minutes, whether you scrupulously follow his method or create your own, the benefits are immediate: a feeling of calm and well-being that will stick with you all day, and a feeling of finally living by and for yourself. I definitely recommend this book!
Bath
Taking a bath is so relaxing. When we get stressed out, our muscles and joints get tense. This tension often causes headaches, soreness, chronic pain or even severe fatigue. Give your bathwater a boost with Epsom salts, sold at Rachelle Béry. When mixed with water, the
magnesium sulphate is immediately absorbed by the skin. This makes bathing one of the best ways to reap the benefits of Epsom salts. Pour two cups into your bath and let yourself soak for twenty minutes. You’ll instantly relax and get a better night’s sleep.
Yoga
Yoga was what really taught me to turn my brain off. Remember, there’s no time in our busy lives when our brain shuts off completely. Not even in our sleep! Through a series of movements synced with your breathing, your mind goes still—it’s magical! Our mind is in tune with the air we breathe and the movements of our body. The result is a real day off for our mind, which can overheat… not to mention a fresh supply of revitalized blood for the brain. There’s nothing more simultaneously stimulating and relaxing! Expo Yoga will take place on February 9 and 10 at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. See you there!
Stéfanie Derome
