By Lorraine Alexander
At a very young age, I learned one of life’s toughest lessons: No matter how well life seems to be going, you can count on a few curveballs coming just around the corner.
Most often we are not prepared for life's surprises, then suddenly, we find ourselves knocked off balance. Regaining balance can take more effort than one might expect—and that’s where resilience comes in. I learned one difficult lesson extraordinarily well, the more I focused on self-care the easier it was to regain my balance.
Most often we are not prepared for life's surprises, then suddenly, we find ourselves knocked off balance. Regaining balance can take more effort than one might expect—and that’s where resilience comes in. I learned one difficult lesson extraordinarily well, the more I focused on self-care the easier it was to regain my balance.
Think of life from an athlete’s perspective. The more consistent the training, the easier the recovery. The primary difference is that you are training for resilience.
Developing resilience naturally.
Balance isn’t something we learn from a best-selling book; it’s cultivated through daily practice. The formula is simple. Take care of the body, mind, and spirit, and you’ll feel balanced and become resilient in the process. Know that cultivating 'self-awareness' is the key ingredient. Awareness allows us to read subtle cues.
"Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things they are transformed."
–Thich Nhat Hanh
Your body speaks, are you listening?
Our body speaks to us, silently. It gently tells us what is needed. You might desperately need that long walk in the forest to reconnect with nature, to take a break from the chaos of the news, or maybe it's time to read that best-selling novel that’s been calling out to you.
What your body needs is simple. Quiet down enough to feel the stillness within.
Notice how you handle stress.
Many signs of stress go unnoticed including shallow breathing, holding the breath, tightness in your shoulders, neck, chest, or jaw, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, always feeling rushed, not having the clarity you desire, or you find you are unable to be fully present at home or at work and you miss the present moment because you’re so focused on "what’s next."
Many signs of stress go unnoticed including shallow breathing, holding the breath, tightness in your shoulders, neck, chest, or jaw, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, always feeling rushed, not having the clarity you desire, or you find you are unable to be fully present at home or at work and you miss the present moment because you’re so focused on "what’s next."
Finding balance is not a "one and done"
There's a gentle interplay of many practices on the path to resilience and wellness. Get into the mindset of self-care for the body, mind, and spirit—and for the ultimate result, layer your practice.
There's a gentle interplay of many practices on the path to resilience and wellness. Get into the mindset of self-care for the body, mind, and spirit—and for the ultimate result, layer your practice.
9 Essential Practices for Resilience
Self-care practices can be a different experience for each person. We've included 9 user-friendly practices that can be easily integrated into your daily routine. You may even find them empowering.
1. Cultivate a daily gratitude practice. Plant seeds of gratitude in the subconscious upon waking and before sleep. Think of five things to be grateful for. Over time, practice can offer a deep sense of wellbeing.
2. Connect with nature while practicing stillness. You’ll learn to crave this time, as it rejuvenates the spirit.
3. Move the body. Dance, walk, and swim, balance the mind-body connection.
4. Choose your thoughts carefully. It takes five positive thoughts to cancel one negative thought.
5. Breathe into balance. Use slow purposeful deep breaths to engage the relaxation response.
6. Nourish the body. Choose healthy, organic, non-processed food and hydrate.
7. Practice self-awareness. In the stillness of self-reflection, you’ll find your center.
8. Meditate twice a day. The second meditation expands the benefits tenfold. We recommend 20-minute sessions (no more than twice a day).
9. Relax and trust. Practice 1 through 8 to connect to your higher self. Discover the calm and inner-knowing that reside within.
Looking for deeper detail on self-care? Here's a timeless article published during the height of COVID in 2020 with expanded details on self-care plus resource links.
Top 12 Practices to Dissolve Stress and Regain Balance.
Are you interested in learning more about DASA Meditation? We'd love to hear from you! Contact: [email protected]
2. Connect with nature while practicing stillness. You’ll learn to crave this time, as it rejuvenates the spirit.
3. Move the body. Dance, walk, and swim, balance the mind-body connection.
4. Choose your thoughts carefully. It takes five positive thoughts to cancel one negative thought.
5. Breathe into balance. Use slow purposeful deep breaths to engage the relaxation response.
6. Nourish the body. Choose healthy, organic, non-processed food and hydrate.
7. Practice self-awareness. In the stillness of self-reflection, you’ll find your center.
8. Meditate twice a day. The second meditation expands the benefits tenfold. We recommend 20-minute sessions (no more than twice a day).
9. Relax and trust. Practice 1 through 8 to connect to your higher self. Discover the calm and inner-knowing that reside within.
Looking for deeper detail on self-care? Here's a timeless article published during the height of COVID in 2020 with expanded details on self-care plus resource links.
Top 12 Practices to Dissolve Stress and Regain Balance.
Are you interested in learning more about DASA Meditation? We'd love to hear from you! Contact: [email protected]
 Lorraine Alexander | Lorraine was introduced to Vedic meditation at the young age of 15. After four decades of practice, she became a second-generation DASA meditation instructor. As executive director of DASA Meditation, she leads the annual teachers' training program in California and Pennsylvania. Lorraine completed advanced trauma and resilience training through the Center for Mind Body Medicine in 2019. DASA Meditation is an elegant and deeply effective four-part technique, developed by Lorraine's mother in 1975. Certified instructors teach in the United States, Canada, and Japan. |
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