Overcoming Life’s Stressful Moments and Living in Harmony with Your Body

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It took me a long time to recognize that true happiness is contentment with your life. The feeling when you have enough of everything is the most satisfying realization, and you don’t necessarily need to “have it all” to achieve it. Not surprisingly, understanding myself and living in harmony with my body became a big part of it.

I took my first step toward true happiness several months ago when I finally got fed up with the way I felt inside my own body. I was constantly feeling clumsy, tired, drained of energy, not sleeping well, and on top of that suffering from headaches often. Changing my outlook on food and starting to practice yoga again helped gain a new perspective and achieve the results I wanted [a special post on that with before & after photos coming soon, it’s a big one]. Today I wanted to share a few tips that helped me overcome life’s stressful moments and live in harmony with my own body.

HOW TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH YOURSELF:

1 // TALK. Talking about the problems, worries, and woes with a friend or simply saying them outloud to myself instead of holding it all in helped get over issues that have been bothering me for many months. Granted, some things can’t be solved by talking alone, but those minor everyday obstacles that stand between you and your happiness can be tackled with a quick heart-to-heart conversation.

2 // YOGA. Despite what you might think, yoga is for everyone and you don’t need to be able to do complicated headstands or crazy twists to reap the physical and mental benefits. This ancient practice helps relieve stress trapped inside the muscles and makes you really appreciate the wonder that is your body, and all of the things it allows you to do.

3 // FOOD. This one is  a no-brainer. I thought I was eating well until I had to take a much closer look at what exactly I was consuming. My plate was constantly filled with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce, preservatives, canned goods, refined sugar, corn syrup, etc. I made a conscious decision to eliminate some of the things from my diet completely, while others [like sugar and spirits] would be enjoyed as occasional splurges. Eating fresh, seasonal vegetables, herbs, organic fruit, and free-range or wild-caught antibiotic-free proteins gave me a boost of energy and helped find the pleasure in food beyond the flavor. Knowing that I am not fighting with my body, but nurturing it with healthy wholesome ingredients is the best feeling ever after a good meal.

4 // DECLUTTER. Do you know why most of us start cleaning frantically when we’re under a lot of stress? Our mind is trying to organize the thoughts and emotions, and our body is taking that impulse literally. Cleaning/decluttering is definitely one of the best and most productive things you can do when you are feeling like the world has it against you, and the result will be rewarding physically and mentally. Knowing that something good will come out of those negative emotions will help accept the fact that sometimes you will inevitably get angry, and it’s OK.

5 // SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. I don’t even know what I did before I got into photography. It’s such a wonderful hobby that allows you to see the beauty hidden to the naked eye! When I don’t take photos for this blog, I like to shoot everyday objects, like a pair of scissors, flowers, leaves, Luna’s fluffy whiskers, and other little things. Seeing my vision come to life on a computer screen and the fact that I can make someone else see things the way I do fills me up with joy every day.

6 // OUTSIDE. As someone who works from home, I would often see no point in going outside. I would find excuses like “it’s too hot/cold/humid” or “it’s raining” and stay in all day like a hermit. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad about being a homebody, but whenever I forced myself to get out of the house, I always enjoyed it and wondered why I don’t do it more often. Now going outside is part of my routine, no matter the weather, unless of course there are some dangerous conditions when staying in makes more sense of course. Seeing the beauty of the world around helps me feel like I’m a part of it, along with all of the people and every living creature. Isn’t that harmony?

7 // LITTLE THINGS. Speaking of little creatures… We all grew up thinking that bacteria are the root of all evil, just turn on the TV or watch a few Hollywood disaster movies and you’ll hear something bad. However, not all bacteria are created equal, and some may even be beneficial for our health. You’ve probably heard that certain bacteria in your gut help with digestion, but what about the little guys living on the surface on your skin? One of the reasons the latest ban on antibacterial soaps is gaining so much support among green living community is because they believe that a living in harmony with your body’s tiny inhabitants can help address some common skin issues without the need of harsh detergents or additional skincare products.

Mother Dirt line is designed to help feed the skin-loving bacteria and improve the condition of your largest organ over time. All skin strives to be “normal”, and the healthy microbiome will attempt to push the scale toward that goal depending on what needs to be done. Dry skin might feel more hydrated, oily skin could see the oil production normalized, problem skin might notice fewer breakouts over time etc. Life would not exist in a sterile environment, and Mother Dirt wants you to reap the benefits of living in harmony with your skin’s unique biome.

At this time Mother Dirt collection includes the following products:

• Mother Dirt AO+ Mist – Live probiotic spray for the skin that contains Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria strain Nitrosomonas eutropha. Best used on areas where you would normally sweat, including underarms, scalp, feet, and face.
• Mother Dirt Shampoo – This gentle shampoo is free of preservatives, sulfates, and fragrances. It’s formulated to be gentle on all hair types, including color-treated and children’s hair. Sensitive skin friendly formula leaves your scalp feeling clean and comfortable, reducing the need to wash the hair over time by normalizing the scalp’s oil production.
• Mother Dirt Face & Body Cleanser – Created as a gentle cleanser for face and body, this comforting foam is currently my favorite way to purify the skin in the shower. The formula passed my pH test with flying colors, and I definitely recommend giving it a try.

If you are interested in learning more about Mother Dirt, visit the company’s website for more information and don’t forget to use the code CBANASTASIA25 for 25% off your first purchase.

Do you have any tips on overcoming life’s stressful moments? Would you be interested in trying Mother Dirt products to nourish the skin microbiome? Let me know in the comments below!

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