Week 2: Mindful Monday – Healthy Living

First, thanks to SilverThreading for hosting Mindful Monday – Healthy Living.

Second, I met most of my Week 2 Intentions, which were to live life to the fullest by following the eight CREATION Health principles.

Third, this is how my week went.

CHOICE

Making the CHOICE to BE STILL and BREATHE before REACTING throughout the day.  I did just that and experienced less stress, doubt and conflict during the week.

REST

Sleeping through the night is healthy.  I went to bed between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. and arose between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.  Seven to eight hours of sleep is good sleep hygiene according to the National Sleep Foundation.  I, also, paced my activities during the day and stopped to rest and breathe,  if for no more than five minutes.

ENVIRONMENT

Being in the presence of nature brings happiness and peace into my space.  I did not fulfill my Intention to visit a local park or botanical garden. However, I spent time on our lanai, which backs up to a conservation area.  Sitting, in silence , I enjoyed the beauty of the lush green trees and my self-created Healing Container Garden.

 

ACTIVITY

Beginning the day with a 20-30 minute Mindfulness/Meditation practice is how I choose to set the course for the rest of the day.  Building upon this foundation, four times a week, I did thirty minutes of either home physical therapy exercises or YouTube yoga practices as well as three plank poses for five minutes – two for two minutes and one for one minute.  Walked the treadmill and glided on the precor machines at my fitness center for forty minutes, three times per week.  This completed my exercise routine.

TRUST

Holding on to anger and frustration exacerbates stress.  For several months, Hubby ignored repeated requests to hang four pictures in my meditation room.  I relied on Trust.  Married to this man for more than fifty-five years: I know he is reliable, good, honest, and, most of all a loving and caring husband.  At 74-years-old, he has earned the right to move at his own pace.  After all, I am an independent SeasonedSistah capable of doing many things and Trust that I will be able to hang pictures.  If not, I have the number to a handyman service.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Going beyond self and opening up to improve INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS is healthy. So, I reached out and connected, by phone, with a long-time friend, attended a photography class at the local senior center, and signed up to attend a Breast Cancer support group meeting in February.

OUTLOOK

Expressing thankfulness opens the door to a positive OUTLOOK.  Daily, I expressed gratitude, verbally as well as in writing, for the five things I was grateful for in my Gratitude Journal.

NUTRITION

Moving away from traditional soul food and toward healthier food options makes sense.  However, my southern heritage and African-American roots keeps me tied to these traditional dishes. Fulfilling my INTENTION, I went to one of my cookbooks and prepared three healthy soul food dishes:

• Field Peas with Okra
• Cabbage
• Southern Corn Bread

Field peas with okra and cabbage are traditionally cooked with ham hocks, bacon salt pork or a ham bone.  Several years ago, in pursuit of a healthier option, I replaced the pork with smoked turkey.  Hubby and I enjoyed the vegetarian versions of these dishes and enjoyed a healthy and tasty Sunday soul food dinner.

Incorporating the eight CREATION Health principles into my life over the last seven days helped to uplift my mind, body and spirit.

 Healthy Living is How I Choose to Live.