Seasons greetings, Explorations of Self Tribe.
We hope that this holiday note touches your heart.
The expectations we put on ourselves and others during the holidays can leave us feeling exhausted, guilty, resentful, and stressed out. The old tapes of, “I don’t have enough,” or, “I don’t measure up,” start re-playing in our mind.
How can we transform this critical voice into something that is beneficial to us mentally and physically?
Affirmations are one way that can possibly help us find that freedom.
I am inspired to pass on some rituals I use to transform holiday anxiety into holiday empowerment. Tis’ the season to be… Empowered and in Control of YOUR LIFE!
A regular affirmation practice has been scientifically proven to increase brain activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is largely responsible for lasting behavioral change.
Practice these a Holiday Empowerment Affirmations by sitting comfortably in a place that you won’t be disturbed for a few moments. Turn off the TV, put down the phone, and enjoy the silence. Take a few deep breaths, counting in for 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 & out for 5, 4, 3, 2 1. If a mirror is close by, take a seat in from of it, and softly gaze at yourself. Take your hands and relax the fingers. Now gently tap the center of your chest. While tapping, say this affirmation to yourself either out loud or quietly 11 times. After the 11th time, close your eyes, sit and breath slowly once again for a few minutes. Slowly open your eyes when you are done and stretch your body. Notice the difference in your mind and body from just a few minutes prior. 
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Introducing a daily affirmation ritual could benefit you by:
· Increased life span
· Lower rates of depression
· Lower levels of distress
· Greater resistance to the common cold
· Better psychological and physical well-being
· Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
· Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
· Lower rates of depression
· Better sleep
· Greater resistance to the common cold
· Better psychological and physical well-being
· More energy
Here are 4 Holiday Affirmations to get you started today! Try this every day for 28 days to start your new year off on a positive note!
So much gratitude,
Alana from Explorations of Self
Scientific resource:http://nymag.com/scienceo…/…/why-self-affirmation-works.html
Namaste, soul family
BIO : Alana Roach is a International Yogi currently based out of Annapolis, MD. Formerly adorned by the city lights and the busy streets of America, she was then whisked away by the illustrious path of yoga and took to traveling the world to share it with others. A few years back she started to write about the transformation she undertook by practicing conscious meditation. Her passions became her career and she now holds RYS Teacher Trainings & International Retreats, Health Coaches, and writes every opportunity she gets. In her spare time she loves cuddling with her daughter, surfing, being in nature, and living amongst her ever growing and global loving and conscious community. She is on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and can be reached by email explorationsofself@gmail.com
Alana’s love for yoga came from firsthand experience with just how powerful the practice is. “In 2009, Yoga found me. Inside the studio, she experienced a deep sense of belonging, but the most profound part was what happened after. “I felt as though I was at true peace. I finally knew what the word meant. Until that moment, I had just understood it cerebrally. There is something profound to be said about Peace dropping into the heart.”