Well Being and Self-Care

If you do a quick search on Google on “core strength”, you will find a lot of resources and exercises to strengthen the physical body, particularly your abdominals, lower back and pelvic regions.

On a structural level, a strong flexible back, toned belly, and supportive pelvic area are crucial in our desire to be healthy and well.

However, from a yogic perspective, your core strength relates to your inner sense of well-being and how strong you feel.

It is that fine balance between integrating your physical, spiritual and emotional needs, so you feel stable, safe, and secure inside.

What are the benefits of a strong core?

When you have a strong inner core you’ll be…

• Strong enough to rise above any life obstacles and bounce back again.

• Stable enough to fall off the wagon and know that’s OK, that’s life; you’re still beautiful.

• Safe in your trust that life has your back and you’ll get through.

If you’re going through an emotionally challenging time, maybe a divorce, an unpleasant situation at work, or worried about your child, it is hard to tap into your inner core.

Instead of feeling strong, safe, and stable, you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

Your parasympathetic nervous system shuts down, your stress hormones ramp up and you function from a space of fear.

We’ve all been there.

Lost our sense of safety and security in life, and struggle to believe that things will change and get better.

Often, we can’t change external stimuli.

Society has a way of reinforcing all that is negative in the world and unless we take steps to strengthen our core, we fall apart.

So, to support you strengthen your inner core and be calm, strong, and balance your nervous system, today’s post is to remind you to keep up your self-care practices.

Self-care is often the first thing we neglect when we feel pressurised and operating in a reactive, self-preservation mode.

If your self-care has slipped, here are five simple self-care practices to help you take care of yourself and strengthen your core, so you can respond from a space of calm confidence.

These 5 self-care practices aren’t new yet make a difference when regularly practised.

5 Simple Self- Care Practices That Will Improve Your Core Strength

#1. “Health is Wealth, Peace of Mind Happiness, Yoga Shows the Way,” (Swami Vishnudevananda)

A regular yoga practice will help to strengthen your body and mind and improve your flexibility. 

If you don’t have time to practice a full 60 minutes class, check out the simple Chair Yoga stretches in my book, which you can do at your desk, in bed or even on your train commute home.

A strong body gives you physical stamina and endurance to navigate the demands on your time and energy.

#2. Sleep Like a Baby

Like many people, I short change myself on sleep;Especially when the pressure is on, we struggle to unwind, go to bed and get a good night’s sleep.

Lack of sleep disrupts your nervous system and you wake up tired, exhausted, and irritable.

A few rounds of yoga breathing exercises as you settle into bed helps soften your nerves and makes it easier for you to fall asleep.

And when you get a good night’s sleep, you wake refreshed, energised and have the energy to get up and go.

#3. Mindful Eating to Feed Your Spirit

When you are feeling low and lack energy, our natural inclination is to eat high sugary snacks and meals to improve our mood.

Instead, a more calming and compassionate way to boost your energy naturally and improve your core strength is to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Avocados and mangos are my favourite fruit!

If you are a snacker and graze through your day, snack on sunflower seeds or oatcakes instead of candy bars and cakes.

#4. Put Your Feet Up

Rest and relaxation are essential to help your body heal and repair from the stress and pressure of daily life.

Whenever you can, take a break during your day and practise Yoga Nidra.

Yoga Nidra is the perfect anti-dote to support your core.

You’ll regain your sense of calm and balance and easily reconnect with your core.

#5. Calm Your Mind

A daily meditation practice changes the structure and function of the brain.

When we spend our time fighting and putting out fires, our brain is on hyper-vigilant mode, we don’t feel safe.

Meditation reduces stress, improves focus and clarity, and increases the brain’s capacity for happiness, empathy and compassion.

Regular practice helps slow down the calm and clear your mind, which aids focus and improves decision-making.

When your mind is calm and clear, you feel decisive, steady, and can respond from a space of strength and certainty inside yourself.

Closing Thoughts…

Remember, when you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out and going through a hard time, it is vital to keep up your self-care practices.

You’ll notice it becomes easier for you to bounce back and find your balance when things fall apart.

Practising yoga, meditation, yoga breathing exercises, eating well and getting more sleep won’t change your situation overnight, you’ll still go through troubled times.

But they can help you regulate your nervous system, help you settle down after a fright – without numbing, avoiding or stressing out even more.

You will lose loved ones; things will crop up at work – they may make you redundant and you’ll have mounting debts to clear.

So, whatever is going on in your life, take your time.

Practice loving-kindness and be gentle with yourself.

And slowly, one morning you’ll wake up and feel strong, safe and secure inside; ready to face your troubles with a steady heart and stronger inner core.

Sounds good, right?

Till next time, remember to look after yourself.

Hugs, peace and blessings.

Ntathu xxx