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No doubt, there is something very powerful about
yoga’s
three key elements: breath, posture, and mindfulness. But more and more,
research is acknowledging the especial importance of that third element—mindfulness—in
imparting much of the health and psychological benefits commonly associated
with yoga. Contrary to the notion that a session of yoga must always consume
a lot of time, removing ourselves from the “stress cycle” for even
short intervals can cause a dramatic drop in our net stress levels. This
means we don’t always need to do yoga with a capital Y. With some creativity
and a little effort, we can indulge ourselves a plethora of enjoyable,
schedule-friendly activities that help nurture mind, body, and spirit; here
are some suggestions that take advantage of fall's finer points:
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Take more outdoor walks, preferably in a park
or other nature-y setting; these can serve both as cardiovascular exercise
as well as an exercise in mindfulness. You need not walk long or far—10
minutes is better than nothing, but you should make an effort to keep the
activity mindful (hint: if you’re planning tomorrow’s schedule as you
walk, you’re not being mindful). Use this opportunity to take in as many
details as you can: watch the colors of the trees, feel the wind against
your skin, listen to the rustling leaves and bird calls, and feel the
rhythm of your strides. A few minutes of this and you won’t remember what
was so worrisome to you just a half hour ago!
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Finish the day with a cup of herb tea; this is
a great time of the year to experiment with new varieties. For those who
like full-bodied, coffee-like teas, try Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma or
Almond Sunset. For those who like mint, peppermint tea is refreshing and
pleasant. Green tea is another nice option—and the bonus is that it
appears a worthy contribution in a health-conscious diet.
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Visit an outdoor “fall” festival, and take in
the natural scenery as well as the event’s offerings. For example,
if you happen to live in the northwest Chicago suburbs, Schaumburg's
Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary holds its annual Autumn Harvest Festival on
the first Sunday in October, offering a festive, nature-friendly way to
celebrate fall.
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Stop by the local farmer’s market and….take
plenty of time to browse. You can use this time to stock up on the
“fruits” of fall (personally, I never miss out on pumpkin butter—kind of
like apple butter), while giving your mind and body a change of pace from
grocery stores and mini-marts.
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We call these “Craft ‘n Drives”; you visit a
Saturday or Sunday morning craft fair, then escape the crowds by taking a
scenic afternoon drive. Pack sandwiches and apples, and you can add a
bonus “hike and lunch” at a destination state park.
You get the idea. Take something simple,
perhaps outdoor-oriented, and figure out how you can incorporate a bit of
that into your busy schedule. Trust me, it pays off!
-ep
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