Week 5: Mindful Monday – Healthy Living

INTENTIONS – Week 5

CHOICE

I am pleased with the healthy lifestyles changes made to improve the quality of my life since beginning Mindful Monday-Healthy Living.  My INTENTION for Week 5 is to stay positive, committed and focused on making healthy choices to uplift my mind, body and spirit.

 REST

Last week, I used my Fitbit device to track my nightly sleep patterns.

• Sunday, 02/07 – 8 hrs 27 min
• Monday, 02/08 – 7 hrs 43 min
• Tuesday, 02/09 – 4 hrs 54 min
• Wednesday, 02/10 – 5 hrs 45 min
• Thursday, 02/11 – 7 hrs 36 min
• Friday, 02/12 – 10 hrs
• Saturday, 02/13 – 10 hrs 12 min

Tuesday and Wednesday night I didn’t sleep well.  Hubby wanted to watch TV in bed.  When I woke up, the TV was on, he was sleeping soundly, and I tossed and turned all night.  In a kind way, I told Hubby how much the TV had disrupted my sleep.  He understood and agreed that watching TV in the bedroom was not a good idea.

Overall pacing my activities went well.  However pacing while blogging is a problem.  When blogging, I become so self-absorbed pacing is the farthest thing from my mind.

ENVIRONMENT

I went on two mindful walks through my neighborhood.  One of the benefits of mindful walking is the opportunity to  connect with the ENVIRONMENT.  As a mindful walker, I totally agree with the  “9 Reasons to Try Mindful Walking,” by Adam Brady.

Sharing a few photos captured on the mindful walks.

ACTIVITY

Very surprised to receive this email report from Fitbit on the number of steps I walked in 2015:

Can’t believe my step and mile counts in 2015 exceeded the average total distance in miles and steps for Americans as well as globally.

These numbers did not include other daily ACTIVITIES  (yoga, plank poses, physical therapy home exercises, and circuit weights).  I plan to convert those ACTIVITIES into steps, in 2016, using one or more of the following charts:

• Convert Your Exercise Minutes Into Steps
• Convert Exercise Into Steps
• How to Convert Your Activity Timer from Minutes to Steps
• Step Conversion Chart

TRUST

I found two new resources and TRUST they will address some of my SELF-TRUST issues.

1. I am reading  (Kindle version) and listening to the (Audio version) of  “True Refuge, Finding Peace in Your Own Awakened Heart,” by Tara Brach, Ph.D.
2. I am practicing a new 11-minute podcast meditation guided by Tara Brach, “The RAIN of Self-Compassion.”

I TRUST that SELF-TRUST is evolving as I begin to look within non-judgmentally and in a self-compassionate way.

INTERPERSONAL

I am not the best communicator.  So, while on this journey to build a healthy, mind and spirit , I wanted to address self-identified INTERPERSONAL weaknesses.  Using Hubby as the INTERPERSONAL relationship guinea pig, I tried a few of the steps recommended in “How to Develop Interpersonal Skills: 13 Steps.” 

Throughout the week, I made an effort to:

• notice my facial expressions and body language
• listen attentively
• avoid presuming or assuming things

Though I still have work to do, I feel good about the progress made.

OUTLOOK

I strive everyday to have a positive OUTLOOK.  Allowing the negative energy of others to diminish or destroy my positive OUTLOOK is unhealthy.   I walked away from negativity remembering the tips shared in “Have A Good Outlook On Life”   I  added the article to my Self-Management-Healthy Living Toolbox for future reference.

NUTRITION

I knew there would be NUTRITION challenges because of Valentine’s Day.  But, I made the CHOICE, without guilt, to enjoy more than one piece of the turtle candy gifted by Hubby as well as one slice of lemon meringue pie that I gifted to myself.  Both are my favorites.