Off to new shores

I used the pandemic to try new things to make my everyday life a bit more relaxed. These are small adjustments I have made and will continue to make. For some, I don’t know how it will end, but one thing I already know: trying is better than studying. Here are the six things I am currently tinkering with. Maybe there’s something here that will inspire you too; I would be happy about that.

 

1. Developing routines

I used the past year to listen more deeply to myself; I wanted to examine my habits and patterns. Now in spring, when it gets light early again, is the best time to establish new routines. Because having a consistent routine, especially in the first three hours of the day, creates structure and stability, according to US social psychologist Ron Friedman. That makes absolute sense to me, and since I— with small variations— always structure my morning routine the same way, I have a new sense of stability in my life. I wake up, write something in my journal for three minutes or browse Instagram, and I get my coffee brought to bed. Then I wake my children and we have breakfast together. Then I go for a run or do a small workout. The main thing is breathing in and out in the fresh air. Which routines are established hardly matters. The main thing is that there are some. Our brain needs three weeks to anchor new habits until they become second nature. You don’t have to swim 35 laps in the St. Germain pool like Isabel Marant; you can also start the day like Barbara Schöneberger in the chicken coop. Just make a plan for yourself and get started.

 

2. Maintain posture

My "frozen shoulder" is making it difficult for me to sit upright at the moment. Long sitting and working from home at the kitchen table cause back and neck problems. I didn't have time to set up an ergonomically correct workspace, and almost everyone complains about shoulder problems today. But a slouched posture harms not only the back. Those who physically slump also feel bad otherwise. "An upright posture ensures that we work more concentrated and stress-free, which in turn positively affects emotional processes," says Professor of Clinical Psychology Johannes Michalak. He advises consciously readjusting the body every half hour. The rule also applies here: after three weeks of conscious readjustment, our body learns to do it automatically. Every half hour is hard, and I struggle with it in my workday too. But I adopt good posture as often as possible. In addition, there are shoulder exercises my trainer Arlow from Workit showed me. The pain relief motivates me to stick with it.

 

3. Breathe properly

Since I started doing yoga about 17 years ago, I try to practice the correct, that is deep Ujai breathing through the nose. When I jog, I breathe shallowly through my mouth, and since I started wearing a mask, I notice that I breathe much more consciously and deeply as soon as I feel fresh air. Various breathing exercises from Hatha Yoga help me reduce stress. And when I get upset about my kids again, I try not to start yelling right away but first take one or two deep breaths before throwing myself into the confrontation. There are countless breathing exercise tutorials on YouTube, so there's something for everyone. Proper deep inhaling and exhaling is the easiest way for me to let off steam. It's also healthy and supplies all our important organs with oxygen.

 

4. Good Vibes only 

Do you look forward to my dance performances on Insta every morning? That's not only funny, it's also healthy: Singing, dancing, and sports not only release endorphins, they also reduce stress, grief, and anger. A research team from the University of Oxford found that positive activities like these - they call it mood management - help those who dislike exercise. A gratitude journal helps. I always write my thoughts and dreams in a diary in the morning, but I could also imagine doing this as an evening ritual, putting everything I've experienced and am grateful for on paper. For techies, there's the Gratitude app to anchor positivity. Here you can upload all beautiful thoughts, inspiring photos, poems, and quotes for a "feelgood life." As my father always said: "There is nothing good unless you do it."

 

5. Being alone

An hour a day just for me. Consciously alone and doing something good for myself. For me, that's the run around the Alster, where I let my thoughts run free and if I'm lucky (Elizabeth Gilbert calls this the "magic moment"), I get some great design ideas for SoSUE. Even better is a whole week just with me and for me. For example, at the Tannerhof in Bayrisch Zell or a holistic health resort like the Thai Shiva Som. That's my next dream destination: super healthy food, Chinese medicine, and a sports and meditation program tailored to my body. A timeout alone, no matter where, helps to become aware of unpleasant patterns. I don't want to miss it anymore and am already looking forward to the next trip with and to myself.

 

 

6. Complaint fasting

I once wrote on the blog about the "end of bitchiness." The same applies to complaining: annoyance at work, bad weather, ignorant partner, permanent lockdown. There are so many reasons to complain, and let's be honest, sometimes complaining can be liberating. Unfortunately, constant complaining and getting upset trigger the release of the stress hormone cortisol and permanently tune the brain to negativity. According to the latest studies from Stanford University, constant nagging even causes forgetfulness. For me, that's an absolute warning sign. Help is now available at Jammerfasten.de for transformation by mindfulness coach Peter Beer. With meditation, new vocabulary, and small thinking tasks, participants are supposed to become more content and joyful in just 16 days. I'm giving this to myself belatedly for my birthday and will report back to you.

 

One last personal tip from me: Don't try to implement all tips and don't let yourself be pressured. That usually leads to stagnation. It always helps me to start with something I can implement most easily. The feeling of success usually keeps me motivated to do more for myself. Recently, I started a juice cleanse with my daughter. Three days of only juices brought up some old, not-so-nice memories for me. I then modified the cleanse for myself. Drank juices during the day and ate warm meals in the evening. It felt so good that I spontaneously extended the cleanse by a week. I have more energy and more time because I don't have to think about what to have for breakfast or lunch. I sleep better and feel fitter. So first get the ball rolling and see day by day how it feels.