Rest and relaxation are vital for better mental health, increased concentration and memory, a healthier immune system, reduced stress, improved mood and even a better metabolism.
Relaxation Techniques
Spend time in nature
There is growing research suggesting spending time in nature promotes many things including self discipline, creativity, physical fitness, engagement in learning and improved social connection.
- Walking
- Walks are great to learn about nature and the local seasonal changes.
- Visiting the Coast
- “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh, from A Gift from the Sea.
- Bird Watching
- Getting outdoors and hearing birdsong, can help recall memories from younger years, and connecting with nature can be an invaluable reminiscence activity.
- Gardening
- Stress relief and self esteem are gained from regular gardening sessions. Immunity, heart health and brain health are improved. Risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s are reduced. And mental health is improved. A labour of love that reaps the benefits.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves silently paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander.
Notice the Everyday
- My photography forces me to take notice. Narrowing my view of the world to one single frame, and how to express that.
Keep it Regular
- Mindfulness can help us all in the busy modern world. But we are all different. Find your own rhythm to suit your day. It can be something you try on your commute, to unwind from your work day, as a pause between tasks. Whatever you need, find what suits you.
Try Something New
- The unknown can be scary. Fear can be the only thing holding us back. No matter how small this can help you realise your own potential and true capability. It may help keep that fear and anxiety in check. It can be as simple as sitting in a different seat in meetings, or trying something new for lunch.
Watch your Thoughts
- Some people, like me, find it difficult to practice mindfulness. This is the reason photography helps me. It’s also often good to remember mindfulness isn’t about stopping the thoughts, but rather than observing them.
Name Thoughts and Feelings
- It may help to detach yourself from your thoughts and feelings by naming them. For example “I am thinking I might fail the exam” or “This is anxiety”.
Free Yourself from the Past and Future
- Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere. And it can be especially helpful when you find yourself stuck in past problems or future worries.
Meditation
- Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, even you! Meditation is a simple and effective way for you to display genuine positivity and will help your natural qualities shine through. It can also help you maintain decorum in difficult situations.
I realise 10 minutes or more is difficult for a lot of us. Let’s start small.
Below are some quick and simple meditations:
- Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, even you! Meditation is a simple and effective way for you to display genuine positivity and will help your natural qualities shine through. It can also help you maintain decorum in difficult situations.
Minute Meditations
Standing Meditation
This meditation works best barefoot, but can still be done if this is not possible. And of course, closing your eyes helps focus your attention.
Move your awareness to your feet
- Feel your feet on the floor and pay attention to what you notice.
- Which part of your feet is making the most contact with the floor?
- Is the pressure even, or different in spots?
- What about the temperature?
- Do you feel very little, if anything? – no judgement
- Rock back and forth, or move your feet around.
- Feel the different sensations
- Notice as many as you can
- Notice how you feel.
Listening Meditation
This can be done exactly where you are, or you can consciously seek a place where you can hear all sorts of sounds.
It’s a good one to do while queuing.
- Pay attention to every sound around you.
- Notice differences
- Louder, softer, deeper, shrill, close, far, nice, irritating, etc.
- Focus on one sound for some time before moving your attention to the next.
- Notice how you feel.
Looking Meditation
This meditation, much like the others can be done anywhere.
- Focus on something close to you
- A flower or coffee mug
- Look closely at every detail you find
- Shades, patterns, colours, shapes etc
- Move to an object farther away
- Same degree of attention
- Return to the first object
- See if you notice things you hadn’t the first time
- Notice how you feel
Walking Meditation
This can be done anytime while walking or if in a crisis, you can walk back and forth using the same technique.
- Talk your time with each step.
- Notice your feet as they hit the ground and rise again.
- Notice the sensations you feel in your legs, thighs, knees, calves and ankles.
- Follow all the sensations you can.
- Notice how you feel
Creativity
Art Can allow you to express your feelings in a symbolic manner, help bring focus to positive life experiences, help you achieve enhanced self-worth and identity, help you escape intense emotions, be a means of artistic self-expression, and reduce cortisol – the stress hormone.
- Reading and storytelling
- Reading is a neurobiological process that works out your brain muscles.
- Poetry
- Art
- And of course, photography
- As a constant overthinker, photography teaches me to pause, notice and capture those often unnoticed simple pleasures of life. It is a reminder to saviour the beauty of life. From there I can reflect on underlying themes in my photography. I can journal and build personal projects from this. You can too. I’ve read that children feel safe, welcome, seen and loved if there are images of themselves in the family home. I love this idea and think this is something every family needs to know.
More Like This
Enchanted Art - To Buy
Why is Photography Important?
I’ve read that children feel safe, welcome, seen and loved if there are images of themselves in the family home. I love this idea and think this is something every family needs to know.
You see stories, memories and keepsakes are important. Life is short. Our humanity is what makes us beautiful. The light will never look or be seen the same again and neither will we. We will never have this moment again. So, let’s capture it!
Natural Family Photography
If you would like to chat about anything we do please get in touch using the messenger pop up on this website, I love to connect with new people and hear your story!
Hi,
I’m Lesley-Anne, also known as LAL.
Our humanity is what makes us beautiful.
The light will never look the same or be seen the same again and neither will we.
We will never have this moment again.
So, let’s capture it!
Why Choose Me, as your Family Photographer
It’s your story and your legacy. It’s how I see your story through my lens.
I am one of a handful of photographers in my area and in the UK that showcase honest, authentic, everyday moments. This is my speciality!
I am noticing delicate, awe-inspiring moments and connection. I am seeing these with every family I am lucky enough to spend time with.
I want to share what I see with you.
I want you to fall in love with your family time and time again!