When autumn and winter arrive, many of us experience that the darkness and cold make us more tired. But even though the days get shorter, we still rush around trying to accomplish everything in our busy daily lives – and often forget to pause.
MIIEGO ambassador Helle Vinther is both a yoga teacher and a personal trainer, and lives with a focus on creating balance in her active life. Something she has now agreed to help you with!
Therefore, we have gathered Helle's tips and tricks for finding more calm and energy in everyday life, as well as a series of yoga exercises that can help ground you when life gets hectic.
PRIORITISE BREAKS IN DAILY LIFE
Helle is used to juggling training, her day job, time with friends and family, and yoga instruction. But she does so thoughtfully.
She explains: "Just as important as it is for me to fill my daily life with good things that bring joy and energy, it's equally important to plan some breaks or gaps where there are no plans in the calendar, and I can recharge."
Helle often sees how we end up giving the many tasks of daily life greater importance than breaks – and that this has consequences for our well-being, both physically and mentally.
Helle elaborates: "I believe it's important to slow down occasionally, especially during winter, when darkness and cold are knocking. Unfortunately, I've learned in my work as a yoga teacher and personal trainer that this is often something that gets deprioritised in one's daily life. There's a greater tendency to pursue the fast, effective, and active, but we forget that there's also an opposite to this, which we need at least as much."
HOW TO FIND MORE CALM
So what should you aim for to bring more calm into your daily life? In Helle's view, the key word is balance.
This means actively working to create more energy, but also finding time for necessary breaks and recharging. It's about listening to your body and mind, and learning to interpret when they ask for calm or a break.
And how do you do that? Here are some of Helle's tips.
HELLE'S TIPS FOR FINDING CALM:
- Take a walk in nature with an audiobook in your ears.
- Do a short meditation, preferably guided via Spotify or YouTube.
- Find relaxing playlists. "I have a couple of 'yoga music' playlists I always return to if I REALLY need to connect with myself!"
- Spend a little extra time on self-care. "In my case, it might be my skincare routine or doing a gua sha massage."
- Go for a walk by the water. "I'm lucky enough to live close to the water, and a trip there really works wonders if my energy is low."
- Put your phone away, or turn off notifications. There are apps that allow you to set when you don't want to be disturbed.
Helle demonstrates three calming Yin stretches you can do that bring a good sense of calm to the body.
BOOST YOUR ENERGY WITH GOOD ACTIVITIES
Now we have good suggestions for finding calm. But sometimes there might be a need to do the opposite and instead find practices that give energy a good boost. But what can you do if you want to find energy in something other than a cup of coffee?
Helle also has good suggestions here.
HELLE'S TIPS FOR BOOSTING ENERGY:
- Put on some great music and sing or dance along (perhaps behind closed doors if it feels most comfortable).
- Make a plan with a loved one and do something active together.
- Again, water just has a certain something – also in terms of giving energy. "Especially in winter, I can really recommend a cold dip if you have the opportunity. You can also just turn up the cold when you finish your shower – because cold water gives good energy!"
- Generally getting outside, regardless of the weather, can give energy. The season invites more indoor coziness, but when the sun is out, a brisk walk after work – especially if you have a sedentary job – can work wonders. It doesn't have to be a long walk, you can start with about 10 minutes, and see if it makes you want more!
USE YOGA FOR BOTH RELAXATION AND RECHARGING
As a yoga teacher, Helle also knows exactly which type of yoga can help you, whether you're looking for more energy or more calm. If you need to slow down, she recommends a session of YIN yoga. If, on the other hand, you want an energy boost, you can follow the video above, where Helle guides you through an energising yoga flow session.
WHAT DOES MUSIC DO FOR WELL-BEING IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
"Music means an incredible amount to me in terms of my energy level. It helps me find calm when I need it, and it equally helps boost my energy.
When I reflect on it, I really often have music or an audiobook in my ears, both when I'm on the go and when I'm walking around at home.
I also use a lot of music in my teaching, and have found that simple phrases repeated in conjunction with music (mantras) really have a calming effect on me and those who attend my yoga classes.
Music just has a huge effect on us humans, and can help influence our energy level in the direction we desire."
- Helle Vinther