Per yesterday’s post, here are some life hacks to help us put down our devices and become more fully human:
Put on comfy clothes. Brew some coffee or tea. Read a book. Have a cookie. Repeat as necessary.
Pet your dog or cat. Tell them how much you love them. Feel the pleasure of their fur on your hands. Repeat as necessary.
If you feel sad, sit or lie down. Instead of fighting it, move deeply toward and into the feeling. Let go. Let a frown come to your face and see if tears are ready to fall. Repeat as necessary.
Close your eyes. Picture your favorite grandparent, relative or childhood friend. Remember how they made you feel. Repeat as necessary.
Turn up the music…turn down the noise and chaos of the world.
Decide to do nothing. Let go of the need to be productive. Follow your bliss to the next right move for you OR just stay where you are. Repeat as necessary.
Put computer to sleep. Do 10 sit to stands. Repeat as necessary
Lay in semi-supine position and practice non-doing for about 20 minutes (you can start with a timer, though eventually your body naturally syncs up to about that timing. Repeat as necessary.
Find paper and a writing instrument. Doodle or draw without a need to create something good. Experiment. Be curious. Repeat as necessary.
Be willing to be a C+ student. Repeat as necessary.
Stop what you’re doing. Go to your kitchen. Find a healthy food you love. Prep it (wash, cut, etc) put it on a plate. Sit at your kitchen or dining room table or somewhere lovely outside without your phone, TV or computer on. Eat. Pause. Enjoy. Repeat as necessary.
Massage your face with slow and gentle strokes. Move to your scalp, neck, shoulders or wherever you feel called to touch. Use lotion if it feels good. Repeat as necessary.
Hum. Feel the tingle on your lips. Experiment with changing to oooo’s, aaaah’s or altering the pitch (high or low). Let go of any thoughts about the quality of your sound. Repeat as necessary.
Angry? Find a safe place (or person) and express your thoughts. Alternatively, tighten up your hands, scrunch your face into a scowl, stomp your foot and say, “Im angry!” Breathe. Repeat as necessary.
Get out in nature. Breathe deeply and take time to gaze at the blueness of the sky. Listen for birdsong, for the peepers in the marsh, for the crackle of leaves under your feet. Repeat as necessary.
Overwhelmed? Rub your thumb against your pointer finger on one hand in slow circles or back and forth. Move to thumb and middle finger then the ring and then pinky. Go in reverse. Try the other hand. Breathe. Repeat as necessary.
Be in a lake, pool, river or ocean. Experience the gentle, nurturing gift of clean water. Be thankful for your body, your life and this moment. Repeat as necessary.
Sit outside or look out a window. Observe. Slow down your breath. Let go of any tension in your body or your mind. Be like a curious child. Repeat as necessary.
Lay down 🛌on your back 🥱and proceed to relax😌 your body starting with your forehead 🫡 and working your way down to your toes 🦶breathing in relaxation and exhaling any tension😖. Then relax and clear your mind center breathing through nose👃feeling the coolness on your nostrils for the inhale and the warmth of the exhale. Repeat as necessary!
Observe an animal. Look at trees or whatever is outside. If possible, listen to sounds or smell what is present. Repeat as necessary.
Run hot water– not too hot–in the tub. When the tub is half full, pour in 1/3 cup of delicious smelling bubble bath. Take off all your clothes. Light a candle. Turn off any overhead lights. When the tub is full, gently step into the water. Lay back, close your eyes, and completely relax for 10 minutes before scrubbing yourself with a loofah. Remove yourself from the tub and step into a soft cloth bathrobe. Repeat as necessary.
Thanks to Gary, Nancy, Ellen R., Jeff, Ellen S., Beth and Regina for contributing!
