Last year, I caught myself saying things like “I’ll get to it when things aren’t so crazy” or “There isn’t enough time in the day!” The funny thing is that the more connected we are with one another online and around the world, I think that sometimes we become less connected with ourselves. I had to face some pretty challenging moments that have offered me a perspective on life that I now use as a pseudo-mantra of sorts. Today I wanted to share a few life hacks that I use to keep myself balanced and from loosing my sh*t on those days when it all feels like too much.
Fun fact: 2017 marks ten years since I graduated from Carleton University. If you had told that Daniel that this is where I’d be in a decade, I probably would have laughed in your face. Funny how hindsight can offer you perspective on things, but at the same time become quite seductive. That’s my first lesson, and probably the most important of all. Try to not live in regret. I think a lot of times, we can find ourselves in the could haves and should haves. We do not have the power to change the decisions of the past, but we can learn from them. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, and have had my fair share of bad experiences, but I do not chose to let them define me. Rather, I like to believe that every tear led to me to every single smile.
Next up, drop the word diet from your vocabulary altogether. I have been all shapes and sizes in my life, and I can assure you that they did nothing but bring me empty promises and unrealistic expectations. The world is not meant to be just kale and chicken, nor fast food three meals a day. There is something to be said for balance and if you have a craving, try to indulge in it with a healthy mind set. For example, instead of a whole bag of chips, try to portion out a bowl. Be mindful of eating processed food. Yes, enjoy a delicious meal or fast food item, but know that for the rest of the week, you might want to focus on fresher ingredients. Fad dieting can be incredibly hard on your body and mind, but if you want the donut, eat the damn donut. Food is meant to make life more beautiful, not be a form of torture.
Find your balance in the simple things. When I feel like my life is falling in on me, I take a fifteen minute walk with my #GearIconX headphones. Music can soothe the savage beast they say. Balance can also come in more tangible ways. Tetley’s new Tetley Ayurvedic Balance teas are a great way to decompress! I was recently introduced to them when Catherine & I attended The Tetley TEA Talks.
Firstly, let’s talk about what Ayurveda is. Because that is ALSO an amazing way to find balance for those of you looking to achieve balance where once there was none. But THAT is where I turn to Catherine, who studied Ayurveda extensively in her schooling:
The word Ayurveda is the Sanskrit term for the “science of life” with Ayu meaning “life” and Veda is “knowing”. The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily bio-elements or doshas, which make up one’s constitution, called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. There are ultimately seven types of constitutions – so we are rarely primarily JUST one at a given time. Each dosha determines physical, emotional and mental characteristics (i.e. taste in foods, temperature, anger reaction, love, etc).
My favourite part of this 5,000 year old healing technique is that a lot of focus is put on your Agni, or biological fire, as the root cause of onset of disease. Your Agni is housed within your gut and nourished by what you put in your body – what foods, what emotions, what thoughts. When your Agni is impaired, your metabolism, your immunity and your digestion are impaired and that’s when disease creeps in. By now, we understand how important it is to nourish your gut when maintaining your health, which is why I love that these teas not only incorporate herbs for each dosha, but also provide fantastic support for the entire digestive system.
Incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your every day life is a wonderful way to achieve balance. These principles go hand in hand with the practice of yoga – so for you avid yogis out there, this is likely second nature already! I’m proud of such a large company for wanting to continue the effort to merge the East meets West approach – thus allowing for more alternative healing options to become accessible.
In health,
Catherine
{PS: Take this short quiz to discover your dosha and how our teas can help you find balance. }
In case you were wondering, my primary dosha is Vata. It’s all quite fascinating actually! The three flavours are all meant to offer something different and help bring you balance throughout the day.
Feeling sluggish? Tetley Vigour – Kapha is an uplifting tea with natural ingredients to enjoy with you are feeling sluggish.
Feeling overheated? Tetley Cool – Pitta is a cooling tea with natural ingredients to enjoy when you are feeling overheated.
Feeling scattered or worried? Tetley Poise – Vata is a centering tea with natural ingredients to enjoy when feeling scattered or worried. This tea features tulsi, also known as “holy basil”, an ingredient that is revered in Hindu tradition.
So, this may seem like a pretty simple list of things to do. From experience, it is the small changes that have the biggest effects. When looking to refocus and calm down when it all seems too much, I want you to remember that it’s not a race. Don’t be so hard on yourself. And remember, eat that damn donut.
To follow along in the fun with one of my best way to decompress, make sure to follow @TetleyCanada on Instagram & ‘Like’ the Tetley Canada Facebook page to join in on the social media conversation. Following and use the #TetleyFindYourBalance hashtag to share how you relax and find balance in your day-to-day life. We can’t wait to see your photos!
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands we are working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you join on our adventures! AND yes. we’re on Snapchat too! – click here to follow us!
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Photos: All social media accounts listed above, Tetley & Daniel Reyes
Cheers!
*Please note that this is a sponsored post – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.
* Mobile photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge