A Compassionate Awakened Summer
The weather is getting warmer (kind of), the school holidays are approaching and every Brit will be digging out their swimming costume in a hope that it will get used this Summer. I myself am taking a couple of weeks away to go on a solo holiday to Somerset (which I will definitely be writing a blog post about in due course), so I felt that it would be a good idea in this months newsletter to run through a few tips that I will also be implementing into my Summer to allow you to enjoy what the season has to offer and keep yourself at the top of your priority list. After all, if your cup is full you can give your best service to the world.
- Eat bright, feel right – During the Summer months we are less likely to crave stodgy comfort foods and more likely to drift towards light, refreshing tastes, so if there is any time to start adding more variety into your diet and create good eating habits, now is it. Really make the most of this and add as much plant based variety into your life as you can by experimenting with salads, chilled soups, roasted veg and smoothies/juices. Whether you are a meat eater or veggie/vegan like me, everyone benefits from having a plant based diet full of fruit/veg, nuts/seeds, wholegrains and legumes (this term doesn’t mean you have to cut out animal protein). Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that our body needs to thrive, provides us with fiber which is nourishment for gut flora and have many disease fighting, anti inflammatory properties. The brighter the better – the more brightly coloured your fruit and veg the more antioxidants they contain! Opt for Organic if you can, and try some seasonal favourites like asparagus, aubergine, beetroot, broadbeans, nectarines and rhubarb.
- Remain hydrated – I am aware this one seems obvious, but you would be surprised how many people forget to drink water on a daily basis. We detoxify our bodies through urine and sweat, both of which need hydrating fluids to happen. If you experience headaches, brain fog or queasiness regularly this could be due to dehydration. This is especially important if you are day drinking at a BBQ. I drink no more than 1 glass of good quality red when out and about nowadays, but from past experience I know how easy it is to get carried away with cocktails on a hot day. If you do choose to drink, intersperse each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water to stay on top of your hydration and ensure you remain the life and soul of the garden party! It also helps to decrease your hangover the next day..
- Disconnect from the internet – Summer season can bring with it a torrent of Instagram posts where people share what they are getting up to, the holidays they are on and bikini shots. If you know that you will end up spinning into a comparison spiral, maybe consider logging off for a while. Either limiting your time on social media apps each day or deleting the apps completely may give you the space away that you need, and will calm your body and brain from the dopamine hits that a ‘like’ provides.
- Sun worshipper safety – Another obvious one. Maybe because I am super pale I wanted to include this, but so many of us think we don’t need sun cream or just forget. It is true that we should be getting 20 minutes worth of natural sunlight on our bodies unprotected a day, however we all know when we have gone past the point of it being comfortable and healthy. What makes this topic a bit more sketchy is that a lot of sun creams use questionable ingredients and if you are bathing in the stuff like me, you may want to look for a natural alternative. These are a little more expensive and the one I have does leave a strange residue, so depending on where I am and what I am doing I do turn to Nivea out of convenience. But maybe you could swap between natural and not, or just stick on a sun hat and sit in the shade for a bit! Better to be protected than unhappy and sore.
- Spend time with those you love… – Focus on building genuine connections this Summer with people that you love and that fuel your energy. One of my favourite places to meet up with my girlfriends is.. well.. a field! Being in nature with no distractions allows me to actively listen and appreciate the surroundings with someone that means a lot to me. It’s a beautiful combination. After a period of time with restrictions on socialising jump back in to your community. We are social creatures as human beings and having this is a huge part of our mental and physical well being.
- …And also on your own – On the flip side, sometimes being at social situations can be overwhelming and draining depending on what mood you are in. It is TOTALLY okay to say no to going to a party, or to book time in the diary to do things with just you! Solo date days, solo weekends away and holidays – give yourself time to rest, recharge and drop the mask. When alone it is easier to get into the habit of being your truest self. You aren’t expected to be everywhere, and those who expect you to be – well quite frankly that expectation is their responsibility, not yours.
These tips seem simple, but sometimes I think it’s important to be reminded of what we already know. These will be foundational in allowing your Summer to be one of rest and recharging as well as raring to go activities. I hope you find your balance and send you love for whatever you are doing.
The next 6 week block of Vinyasa Flow Yoga Classes with Compassionate Awakened Living begin week commencing 19th July and will run until week commencing 30th August, with a one week break in between week commencing 11th August. On Mondays I welcome a new group of Beginners at 6PM for the 6 week beginners course, designed to help you build your yoga practice from the ground up. I will also be running two All Levels classes on Wednesday, one at 6PM and one at 7.30PM. The 7.30 class is currently full, but there are a few spaces at the 6PM session. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or enquiries.
June’s Moon baths went beautifully well. I adore running the workshops with my mum, and each time we welcome in a wonderful group of people who allow us to share such a scared space with them. It is truly beautiful. There will now be no more Moon Baths till the end of Summer as my mum is away, but we will get together a timetable for when she is back and all sessions will be advertised here. To be contacted when Moon Baths start up again, please send me a message.
And finally to share a small win this week as I continue my Health Coaching Course with IIN – my beautiful accountability coach and I Britt Ricci (follow her journey @bluehills.healing on Instagram) completed our FIRST Health History Consultations together! The first bit of practice in supporting clients. I am so grateful I have this wonderful women stepping with me on this journey. We met on the course, she lives on the other side of the world but it feels like our souls have aligned in friendship! I connected with Britt after she shared with me a song for my morning dance practice, which I will share with you now. For all the gratitude, sunshine vibes have a listen and a freestyle boogie to ‘Just Livin’’ by Sensi Trails.Thank you Britt 🧡
This newsletter marks my beautiful business turning one. A beautiful chance to look back at all we have achieved this year. I am so grateful for everyone that I have been able to serve over the past year. I am so grateful, and I hope I can continue to share my light for many years to come. As always, thank you for taking your precious time to read my news letter. I am so grateful and feel so blessed that part of my journey is to share with you. Have a wonderful July.
With Love, Light & Best Wishes,
Ciara X
Compassionate Awakened Living 