The Art of Meditation

Dreaming of Warm, Spring Days

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 | Article by: Mathilde Hardy If you’re from the northern part of the Midwest, then you know that winters last an eternity. You’re sick of being hunkered down in your house or cabin and all you want is to walk out of your house in a light jacket. No coat, hat, or gloves required. It’s a hopeless feeling, and there’s very little that can be done (unless it’s in your budget to go to Arizona for a week). However, here are some ways that can help you feel closer to springtime in an affordable and easy way. While this one takes practice, visualization is a great way to feel closer to spring and all it takes is 5 minutes. I like to imagine myself outside in the springtime laughing. I visually and physically try to feel the rays of sunlight, and in some visualizations I’m eating my favorite ice cream while walking on the side of a lake. These are just some examples, so feel free to dream up your ideal spring day. Another way to feel closer to spring is through scent. What scents or smells bring you back to your favorite days from the spring or summer? What emotional memories do they evoke? Personally, Neroli brings me back to my childhood summers. When I feel especially dreary, I diffuse 3-5 drops or I mix a few drops with some lotion Now, if you’re from a big city chances are that there is at least one conservatory botanical garden near you. In the winter time, you can enjoy a nice stroll in “nature” with 70-80 degree temperatures without leaving the state. Many of these gardens have no entrance fee and are open to the public. In the wintertime, it’s especially important to take care of your physical health. For example, many doctors suggest exercising a certain amount. But sometimes when it’s -15 degrees outside all you want to do is stay cozy inside. That’s why hot yoga might be for you. It’s a great exercise and it’s hot. Like super hot. After entering the yoga room it’ll feel like you’re in Florida. So friends, I hope that with these suggestions you’ll start to feel just a little closer to spring. Before you know it, the snow will be gone and the birds will be singing!

5 Tips for Productivity

Thursday, April 6th, 2023 | Article by: Mathilde Hardy Staying productive when you’re feeling unmotivated. We all hit that point in our day or week where we feel unmotivated, whether that’s work, home, school, etc. Sometimes it just gets hard and even the simplest of tasks feel tedious. Everyone reaches that point, but it’s how you get over those feelings that matters. Here are 5 ways you can overcome your unproductiveness and finish off your day or week on the right foot! Taking breaks. Whether it’s every hour or every 20 minutes, taking breaks is especially important to maintain productivity. What you do during your break is equally important. I always like to get up and stretch, go grab a cup of coffee or tea, take a walk around the block, make a snack, etc. Do something that gets you moving and distracted from the task you’re trying to complete – especially if it’s a tedious one. Avoid going on your phone because most of the time you’ll end up staying on your phone longer than you anticipated. The same goes for your computer: if you’re working on a task on your computer, make it a point to leave it for at least 5 minutes when you take a break. Prioritizing your tasks. When you have a long list of tasks to complete before the end of your day or week, it’s easy to lose motivation. That’s why prioritizing the most important ones is a good way to make sure you get through your “to-dos.” Try writing down your top 3 most important ones for the day/week and work through them at your own pace. Once you’re done, write down the next 3. Now your focus is on 3 at a time and you don’t feel pressured to get the rest done at the same time. Having an ideal work environment. Our surroundings play a larger part in our productivity than we think. I know that when my desk is clean and organized, I feel less frazzled and overwhelmed. But it’s also easy for my desk to get disorganized. That’s why every morning before I start work, I take 5 minutes to get myself situated and organized. It helps me feel less stressed and more productive. Our Mental Clarity and Stress Recovery essential oil wellness formulas are great for adding a unique aroma to your work environment. They help promote productivity and relaxation at any point of the day. Asking for help. No person should ever feel like they need to get everything done on their own. Asking for help for whichever task you’re trying to complete is a great idea. Having an extra set of hands should never be unwanted and being able to interact with others is beneficial for finding motivation and productivity.