Mindful Living

One Harvard study showed that participants who journaled at the end of each day were nearly 23 percent more productive than those who didn’t -Dr. Gia Marson

Journaling is one of the most effective self help techniques that I have ever done. It’s simple and requires nothing more than a pen and paper and yet beginning a practice like this is not always easy. There have been studies that have proven it’s effectiveness is helping people process emotions, live healthier and happier lives, improves productivity, and increases creativity!

Studies have shown that the benefits of journaling include:

• reduced stress and anxiety

• Enhance your unique intuitive strengths

• Improve your sense of well-being

• Lower blood pressure and the risk for inflammatory illnesses

• Relieve anxiety, stress, fatigue, and general mood and sleep disturbances for people who suffer from cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, thus improving their quality of life

• Reduce common menopausal symptoms

• Improve symptoms of anxiety (Marson)

In the book “The Artist’s Way,” author Julia Cameron begins her book emphasizing the powerful practice of “Morning Pages,” which in essence is this. She has worked with people all over the world who have tried this morning journaling practice and radically shifted their lives. She tells of true stories from people who began journaling every morning and found that when they got all of the junk out from their subconscious mind that was holding them back, and then anchored into gratitude lists and creative journaling, that they began to heal from life long perpetual issues like addiction. These people then go on to be incredibly successful in a field that they are passionate about, have healthier self-images,  healthier relationships, better sleep, better reasoning, calmer demeanor, and helps them live more positivity centered lives.

I love these holistic self-care practices. They are simple and require nothing more than a pen and paper. Why not do something that is proven by studies to increase happiness, health, and overall well-being?

Here are some Journaling Prompts to get you started:

1. What are you grateful for today and why?

2. Reflecting on people who have inspired you in your lifetime, what about them do you feel grateful for?

3. What is something I can commit to today that my future self will thank me for?

4. Write a letter to your past self from 5 years ago from your now self, look how far you’ve come, what would you say?

5. Write a letter to your past self from 10 years ago from your now self, look how far you’ve come, what would you say?

Author: Alana Roach, Explorations of Self LLC

International Mindfulness Teacher, Alana Roach is the founder of Explorations of Self, a community of spiritual seekers who advocate for holistic lifestyles and education, conscious relationships and parenting, sustainability and working with the Earth for preservation, and emphasizes the importance of living you Divine LIFE PURPOSE. In Alana’s free time she loves spending time in the outdoors with her 4 beautiful children and life partner, Brad.

To learn more about Zoom 1 on 1, Small Group, or Corporate Mindfulness and Wellness Coaching, email ExplorationsofSelf@gmail.com or set up your 15 minute consultation here.

Sources:

https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/

The Many Benefits of Journaling

A great meditation to do at any time of the day to access your inner well-stream of peace. This is a short, relaxing and centering meditation that will guide you through visualization and mindful breathing.

Learn more about mindfulness with Alana here.

I first heard of the term “Empath,” when I was in my early twenties. I read some articles on it and I remember feeling like “THIS IS IT, this is ME!” Knowing this gave me so much awareness about what was going on in my life and it was the foundation for me to start learning how to navigate this immense gift.

So, what is an Empath? Derived from the word “empathy,” which means, “The ability to understand and share the feelings of another,” Empaths understand emotions, thoughts, and feelings of others whenever they are near others by experiencing the other person’s emotions, thoughts, and feelings for themselves. If an Empath does not know this is happening, it can be quite troubling. In my experience, it takes a lot of self-awareness, healthy boundaries, and self-care to help these gifts grow in a positive way to ensure the Empath is not taking on the other person’s inner stuff as their own. A balanced and knowledgeable Empath will naturally harness very healing energy to be around, are incredibly CREATIVE, have incredibly intuition (which they  learn to live by), are very helpful, take great care of themselves, are compassionate, present, and can understand people, animals, the planet, and the Universe on a deep, deep level, embodying one-ness with all that is.

If you’re reading this, I believe there are no coincidences, you might be an Empath!

…

Here Are Some Signs You Might Be An Empath: 

1. You Feel Drained Energetically AND/OR Emotionally After Being In Large Crowds of People:

When an Empath goes into a large crowd and doesn’t take proper self-care, they might feel overwhelmed, anxious, tired, and then ultimately drained during and afterwards. Empaths are like an energetic sponge and if they are not aware, it can be easy to take on negativity as your own.

2. You Enjoy Smaller Gatherings or 1 on 1 Conversations:

As mentioned in #1, Empaths are like an energetic sponge. Often times, Empaths will unknowingly gravitate towards smaller get-to-gethers that feel “safer,” and more up-lifting. This is because when an Empath is around someone who is happy and joyful, they experience that happiness and joy as their own! Contrast to this, if an Empath is around someone who is sad or anxious, they also experience this as their own (If they are not practicing proper grounding techniques and spiritual hygiene). 

3. You’re Intuitive:

Empaths are very intuitive and this intuition takes practice to harness all of it’s benefits. Empaths benefit from being in nature, meditation, and mindfulness practices to help them clear themselves of other’s energy and tune into their own Divine intuition. 

4. You Enjoy Deep Conversations and Relationships:

Empaths don’t typically enjoy small talk. They cut right to the existential and conscious conversations. If you’re dating an Empath, you might notice that they get right to these deep conversations right after they say good morning. It’s important for Empaths to have health boundaries in relationships as well. An Empath who does not have healthy boundaries can be an easy target for those who only wish to take their time + energy and there is no reciprocity. It is important for Empaths to self care and ensure that they are building their self-confidence as well as nurturing their Chakra energetic centers. 

5. You Call Yourself An “Introverted Extrovert”:

Yes. You are both. How can that be? You love bringing your healing energy to other’s in the world as you feel guided to, but you also need the balance of being alone to recover your own energy. It is important for Empaths to find a good balance of both for their mental and physical health. Making sure an Empath is surrounding themselves with nurturing, positive people whenever possible is important, just as important as making sure the Empath is getting alone time! Balance is a lifelong process and each day brings a new need for balance. 

Learn how to harness your abilities and protect yourself energetically by signing up for the “Spiritual Hygiene,” Online Course with Alana Roach.

Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self

Resources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-an-empath#major-empathy

Being An Empath: The Benefits