Whether we like it or not our actions matter, from how we think, to the people we surround ourselves with, to the movies we watch, and the intentions we do or do not set everyday. *They all have a direct effect on our nervous system which is largely in charge of every aspect of our health. From our thoughts, memory, learning, feeling, sleep, how are bodies heal and how well we age.

My partner and I start our day very different, when he wakes he turns to his phone, catches up on the latest news and social media. For myself, easing into the morning with no electronics and a cup of warm lemon water stepping outside on my yoga mat is how I welcome in the in the day and it sets the stage to keep my nervous system in check. As humans we are hard wired to behavioral patterns that can be beneficial or damaging to our overall health.

If our daily routines are inconsistent, random, without intention and purpose we may begin to ungrounded, anxious, present themselves in the form of anxiety, nervousness, lack of motivation and fatigue.

Let me share an example of my personal experience with my daily habits and how it affected me on a holistic level. In my mid-thirties I was working for a large department store for more than 10 years. I was working long hours, rushing home to take care of my daughter, making dinner, doing homework and repeating it all the next day. Day to day life became repetitive at times, going through the motions of my responsibilities and I lost my motivation. I became burnout and was drinking wine, staying up late even if I knew I had to be up the next morning very early.

After several years I started feeling the impact of that routine and it turned bad, really bad. It was an early morning at work and I had to host a meeting with a large group to introduce a new luxury clothing collection. I remember standing in front of 45 people all staring at me and everything turned dark, I could not catch my breath and I began sweating I was having a panic attack. Years of burning the candle at both ends, late nights, skipping meals feeling stressed caught up with me.

Although I had a meditation practice, a yoga routine, read endless books on self-help I was not balanced. Too much was out of balance and I left work on medical leave for a month. I started analyzing what my life actually looked like for the past ten years or I and started a deep dive into all areas of what was really happening in my life. My relationship to my partner at the time and my work (both were over 10 years) were not going in the direction that I wanted. They both became stagnant and unfulfilling. I was not growing, not living full of joy and could not find my purpose other than supporting my family. My daily physical and emotional frustrations manifested into anxiety and slight depression. From that moment on I knew I had to severely change my day to day living and create intention around my day. I cut out the late nights, drinking wine and began to create goals around where I wanted to go in my work and personal life. I began journaling to release thoughts, paid more attention to where and how I was spending my time, and started cultivating a mind-body awareness.

When we allow ourselves the opportunity to create a meaningful day to day routine our body, mind and spirit have a structure that holds us in place. All parts of our being are working together and properly in union. We create a dedication to being mindful and devoting time and attention to our personal self care.

*References: Nervous system:What it is, types, symptoms-Cleveland Clinic