Mindfully Melissa
Tips to better health and well-being from mindfulness maven, Melissa Beasley.
When we think of mindfulness, our thoughts instantly drift to the wonderful Sonoma County-based yogi, Melissa Beasley. If you are lucky enough to know her, or have taken one of her classes, you’ll know exactly what we mean. She is a true gem of a human being and we asked her to share her mindfulness tips for better health and well-being with Verdure Magazine and here they are:
Prioritize sleep. Arrange your schedule to prioritize what your body needs. This often requires saying
no to other things so that you can put your health first.
Move your body as much as possible. Dancing, boxing, yoga, taking an online class, joining a gym, get a
standing desk, go for a walk—it doesn’t matter. Just commit to it. Movement helps release stuck energy in the body, and is so powerful for overall well-being.
Align routines by incorporating healthy habits into things you already do. For example, take three
deep breaths every time you get into your car, put a goal or affirmation on your phone background, do
tree pose as you brush your teeth, or share what you’re grateful for at the start of every meal. This
helps incorporate wellness into our routines without additional time constraints.
Eat as many vegetables as possible. It’s fun to explore farmer’s markets, sign up for a CSA box, and
try new recipes. Learn how to meal prep, and set yourself up to eat healthy.
Reach out to community for support. Join a group that has shared values. Share your wellness goals
with an accountability buddy. Share your struggles and wins with friends. Hire a coach or expert to
guide you in an area you want to grow in.
Drink high quality water and eat high quality food. What we put into our body affects everything we
do, and is worth the extra cost to prioritize. Your health is worth it.
Have a mindfulness practice. This brings space and awareness to our thoughts, emotions, and
mental well-being. If meditation is new to you, try guided meditation, breathwork, or mantra. This could
also be a grounding practice, or visualization. Find what works for you and do that. The best
meditation is one you’ll actually do.
Go easy on yourself when you get off track. Get back to your wellness routine as soon as possible,
and don’t give up. Fluctuation is normal. Resilience and mindset are everything.
Mental mindset. Develop mental resilience. We all face hardships, low periods, and challenges at
various times in our lives. To re-frame challenging situations, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this,
what did I gain, how will this make me stronger?” Trust in the process of life and your capacity to
handle it. And don’t dwell on or avoid negative emotions, feel them for a time then let them go.
Find what brings you passion and do more of that. Sign up for newsletters that pique your interest,
follow people who inspire you, and get involved with causes you believe in. There are tons of courses,
content, and communities out there. Having something we love and believe in fuels our inner fire and
keeps up going.
Know your values. Life can be overwhelming, and there’s lots of noise out there. Knowing what’s
important to you will help keep you on track. To do this, write down what you actually spend your time
and energy on, and narrow that down into five or so core values based on your daily life. Then do that
again with what your ideal life looks like. Compare the two without judgment. This can show you the
gap between where you are and where you want to be.
Be open to natural medicine. Try acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage/bodywork. Take supplements (especially if you’re deficient). Walks, fresh air, and sunlight can be medicine too.
Start small and be consistent. When implementing new habits, commit to the minimum you know you
can do, and do that every day (for example: five minutes of daily meditation)
Forget all this. We’re all unique beings on our own path! Accept yours will look different than mine,
and be willing to do things differently. Find what works for you and do that.
You can find Melissa teaching on Saturday, June 3rd, 10th and 24th at 10:00AM at Boho Manor in Monte Rio.