The Joyful Gym Rat

Here’s another one for the ladies, but guys with women in their lives could benefit from taking a read as well!

In a go-go-go and largely patriarchal culture, a woman’s period is more often thought of as a nuisance than a spiritual gift.  It is common to pop in a tampon, down some Midol with a large cup of coffee, and go about our business on Day 1 rather than rest and reflect.  Most of us learn so little about our cycle that we have no idea how to care for ourselves during different phases, let alone what these phases are.  What if instead of looking at menstruation as a disability we appreciated what it represents? What if instead of looking at menopause as ostensibly being put out to pasture we recognized it as a time when a woman can truly step into her wisdom and power? Fighting with the natural cycles of life can be exhausting.  Like the seasons or our own circadian rhythm, we can benefit physically and mentally from acknowledging the truth of what we need.

So what is a woman with a job, family, and all the other trappings of modern day life supposed to do?  It isn’t necessary to retire to the “red tent” (although I’ll admit, some months this does sound rather appealing…).  Read the following tips to make subtle changes to rock your feminine nature:

-Consider knowing your body a political act:  How much of our power can we actually step into when we don’t know the basic anatomy and processes of our own bodies? Instead of buying into the shame culture that views women’s bodies as scary and unpredictable, realize that humanity wouldn’t exist if you didn’t bleed every month. Knowledge is the key to power and when we can look at ourselves with interest rather than apprehension the change we feel internally can echo globally.

-Take note: There are plenty of online charts and apps that can help you track your cycle.  Keep track of where you are and take notes so you can better understand and respond to monthly fluctuations.

-Adjust your routine: While it may not be realistic to shirk all responsibility, think about where you might be able to ease up at certain times of the month.  Conversely, utilize the more energetic phases to move projects forward, accomplish goals, and be more forthcoming with others.

For more resources to apply the ideas above, visit the Joyful Gym Rat on Facebook and Twitter

Light, airy, open, free….how do these words make you feel?  In modern day life it’s easy to feel weighed down.  Maybe that’s why the idea of minimalism has been popping up more and more in books, on television, and on social media.  For the unfamiliar, minimalism might conjure images of tiny homes and feelings of lack but it doesn’t necessitate either of those things.   My favorite definition of minimalism is keeping what truly matters while letting go of all the rest.  This could apply to items in your home, obligations, relationships….for the purpose of this post we will keep the focus on physical stuff.

Practicing a bit of minimalism allows you to sift through the debris that has built up over the years and find the gold.  What does minimalism have to do with wellness? Simplifying, whether it be pairing down your shoe collection or cleaning out your cupboards, has been proven to make humans happier.  People often suffer from something called decision fatigue.  From the time we get up to the time we go to bed we make a million tiny decisions.  Unfortunately, we only have a finite amount of brain power to do so.  Pairing down the number of choices we make in a day, whether it be what shoes to wear to work or what to eat for breakfast, can save more brain power for the important stuff.  It can also alleviate the stress that comes from fear of making the wrong choice.  Aside from the decision fatigue theory, creating more open space in your life allows for more flexibility, focus, and freedom.

Curious about how to begin?  Here are a few simple ideas to play with at home:

Create wide open spaces: Even in the smallest of apartments, room to move is crucial for overall comfort.  Constantly bumping into large pieces of furniture or tripping over shoes makes for a stressful environment.  See where you can minimize to create more open space.  Do you really need a full size sofa or could you do with a love seat?  Can that stool double as an end table?  Online groups like Buy Nothing will even come to your home and remove large items like furniture for free.  As a bonus, you’ll have more room for striking a yoga pose or having spontaneous dance parties.

Consider your counters:  Does making a meal in your kitchen make you feel crazy? Cluttered counters are less than inviting and can be one more reason not to cook healthy meals at home.  Keeping only what is essential on the countertop is one way to free up space.  If it’s used every day, keep it out.  If it’s not, store it in a cupboard.

Test out your resolve: Hesitant to clean out your closet for fear of getting rid of something you might miss one day?  Take a test run.  Pack up what you think you might want to give away and put it in the trunk of your car for a week or two.  If you miss it, take it back out.  If you don’t, drive it over to the Salvation Army or some other such charity where it can do some good.

You don’t have to dive in head first.  Dip your toes in and practice minimalism minimally to see what it can do for you.

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