Another lockdown… how to stay focused and fulfilled

Another lockdown… how to stay focused and fulfilled

by | Oct 27, 2020

Disappointingly, I had to close the Just Be Clinic again but this time round hopefully it’s only for 6 weeks.  But what if it isn’t?

Well first of all, this lockdown feels different because while some of us are at home, others can go to work, the schools and creches are open and ‘essential retail and services’ can stay open.  Whilst the Irish Reflexology Institute and other regulartary organisations are fighting for holistic therapies to be recognised as and ‘essential service’ I thought I would share some of my thoughts on how to remain focused and fulfilled during lockdown No. 2 and beyond.

Routine is so important for our overall wellbeing.  Try to keep to your existing routine as much as possible while having activities and things to do that will help fulfil your long term dreams or goals. Below is an example of what my daily routine can look like:

  • Get up at the same time everyday
  • Exercise or go for a walk within the 5km guidelines.  Try to leave the house every day, even if it’s just to drop/collect the kids at school.
  • Have a hearty breakfast and tidy the kitchen
  • Get washed and dressed for the day regardless of what the day holds
  • Make the bed and tidy the bedroom ready for a peaceful sleep tonight.
  • Call someone for a chat over a cuppa
  • Next, do the things you have to do such as laundry, shopping, preparing meals, pay bills, or declutter.  Do the hardest job first and ease into lunchtime.
  • For the afternoon, do something you enjoy such as reading, drawing/painting, singing, dancing, gardening, decorating or crafts.  Whatever makes you feel good.
  • Dinner/Tea time followed by a quick tidy up before chilling.
  • Socialise with friends/family on a video chat while enjoying a coffee or drink.
  • Watch TV or catch up on Movies or box sets.
  • Enjoy some personal care such as a bath, facial, manicure, pedicure, or meditate.
  • Go to bed at the same time every night and switch off any blue light devices.

I find keeping a daily routine has helped me cope with stress and anxiety.  I’ve been very irritable over the whole situation so I do mindful activities such as jigsaws, colouring or reading and I’m planning to try upholstery too, so I’ll share how that goes. Above is my first jigsaw of this lockdown and I’ve made my very first Tart Tatin from the apples in the garden. 

Make a list or mood board of what you want to acheive, it will help you focus.  Even writing this blog is helping me to plan my days ahead.  And only do what makes you feel good.

For now sending you all lots of love and light
Yvonne

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What’s keeping me busy during the pandemic?

What’s keeping me busy during the pandemic?

by | Jun 1, 2020

So I have to start with a massive THANK YOU for all your lovely, kind messages about my Mum.  She’s doing so well but still waiting in hospital for the nursing homes to open. She now has an iPad so you can imagine the conversations over the phone trying to explain how to use it.

It’s also been lovely hearing how you are getting on so keep them coming.  And remember I’m hear if you need anything.  I know some of you are frustrated and looking for appointments and I’m planning on how I will work with you again going forward with the new restrictions.  I don’t have a date for reopening but suspect it will be in line with the hairdressers in July.  I’m taking guidence from my peer groups and associations so will be screaming from the rooftops when I do get a date. 

I hope you’re all coping ok and managing to keep active while staying calm.  I’ve been so lucky with my garden project and as you can see it’s coming along nicely.  With the fabulous weather I’ve been out there every day and now the garden centres are open again, I feel like a child in a candy shop.

I’ve also been doing my daily walk with Jim, but he’s now back to work and will admit I haven’t been out the last few days.  So I need to get my act together and get out there with my headphones.  I don’t like exercising on my own so I might try one of those online classes, but you can’t beat getting out in the fresh air…

I’ve been lucky enough to join a group for the 21 day Abundance meditation and I’m really enjoying it. It originates with Deepak Chopra with a 15 minute daily meditation plus a daily exercise.  It’s challenging enough but so worthwhile. if you are interested, let me know and I’ll put a group together on WhatsApp.  

I’m also updating my knowledge and skills with some Zoom meetings and education and again I find the interaction with others very socialable.  I have to admit, I didn’t even know about Zoom until 8 weeks ago.  How fast and easy it is to adapt when you put your mind to it. 

So on the whole I’m doing good and even enjoying this experience but I have some low days too.  Like many I miss the physical interaction with humans, especially you my valued customers and I can’t wait to get started with our new normal.

Again, if you need anything please get in touch by replying to this email or call/text 0868968409.

Love & light
Yvonne

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Enjoy A Fulfilling Daily Routine during Covid-19

Enjoy A Fulfilling Daily Routine during Covid-19

by | May 6, 2020

Fulfilment from a daily routine

So I hope you are all keeping well and apologies I haven’t been in touch for some time.  Like alot of you, the struggle is real at the moment.  As a family, we are going through an exceptionally tough time with my Mum.  Long story short, she’s been in and out of hospital and has decided on medical advise it’s time for a nursing home.  Of course we are devastated but know this is the safest and most comfortable option for my Mum going forward.  However, Nursing Homes are not taking any admissions at the moment due to the treat of Covid-19.  To add to this distress, we can’t visit her in hospital and don’t know how long this will go on for.  We are very concerned about her welfare as you can imagine even though we are doing all we can but feel so helpless.

Everyone you talk to at the moment has a story and there is lots of positivity too, with people caring for each other and finding new ways of staying connected via the internet.  However, ultimately we need to care for ourselves first and foremost.  It’s not always just about the kids or our aging parents.  We must have a purpose each day and that, simple as it sounds, comes down to having a daily fullfiling routine. 

So here are some suggestions for a daily routine to help you feel fulfilled if you’ve lost your way.  You decide the order but the basics are very important. 

  • Get up at the same time everyday
  • Exercise or go for a walk within the 2km guidelines.
  • Have a hearty breakfast and tidy the kitchen
  • Get washed and dressed for the day regardless of what the day holds
  • Make your bed and tidy your bedroom ready for a peaceful sleep tonight.
  • Call someone for a chat or if you have young kids, you might need to home school them.
  • Next do the things you have to do such as laundry, shopping, preparing meals, pay bills, or declutter.  Do the hardest job first and ease into lunchtime.
  • For the afternoon, do something you enjoy such as reading, drawing/painting, singing, dancing, gardening, jigsaw or crafts.  Whatever brings you joy.
  • Dinner/Tea time followed by a quick tidy up before chilling.
  • Socialise with friends/family on a video chat while enjoying a coffee or drink.
  • Watch TV or catch up on Movies or box sets.
  • Enjoy some personal care such as a bath, facial, manicure, pedicure, or meditate.  Meditainment are offering free app downloads on https://www.meditainment.com/ 
  • Go to bed at the same time every night.

I have found keeping a daily routine has helped me cope with the stress of my Mum.  To be fair, the weather has helped and we’ve made progress in the garden.  If you recall, the garden was one of my visulisations for 2020, the new patio is done, topsoil has arrived and the planting has commenced. Now to watch it grow, I’ll keep you posted on the progress.  

For now sending you all lots of love and light
Yvonne

BABY NEWS
I am so excited to introduce Baby Michael, a very, very welcomed new arrival in these stange times. Congratulations to Mum and Dad who have been waiting for you a long time and I know they are besotted with you.  

I love receiving all your messages, so please keep them coming and remember I’m here to support you too while the clinic is closed if you need anything. Call/text 0868968409.

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Don’t you just love a routine?

Don’t you just love a routine?

by | Sep 5, 2019

Don’t you just love routine?

So the autumn chill has kicked in, the kids are back to school or college, the nights are getting darker and yet there’s something very comforting about getting back to our routine.  Why?  Well here are my top 5 health benefits of having a routine to help motivate back to normality this autumn.

1. Helps Reduce Stress and Facilitate Relaxation
There will always be something in our lives that is beyond our control, and we need to accept that. However, there is so much that we can control, especially if we follow a routine. When we have and stick to a routine, it eliminates a lot of stress because we do not have to think and worry about what needs to get done. The act of ‘doing’ gives us a sense of control and helps us relax instead of fretting about the tasks at hand.
2. Frees Up Our Time
Contrary to what some people believe, following a routine of repetitive tasks actually provides us with more free time to do as we please. Not every aspect of our lives needs to be scheduled or incorporated into a daily routine. There is a time and place for leisure, relaxation, and ‘not-doing’, and a routine frees up the time for it. In fact, our routine makes us become better and more efficient at performing certain tasks. This means that we often spend less time completing the tasks listed in our routine via repetition.
3. Helps Us Achieve Our Goals
Our goals and aspirations are rarely, if ever, achieved all at once. Successful people accomplish their goals by doing the same things over and over again. An athlete gets good at his sport because he practices daily. An artist hones his craft through repetition. Developing and sticking to a routine that is in line with your goals is one of the surest ways to feel success.
4. Builds Self Confidence
When we follow a routine and stick with it, it helps build self confidence and gives us a sense of tremendous satisfaction and purpose. That provides us with the ‘fuel’ to continue our routine and reap the benefits associated with it. And a lack of self confidence is one of the main reasons people find it difficult to change their lives for the better.
5. Creates Structure in Our Lives
A daily routine provides structure and a logical sequence in our lives. It provides the framework within which we live our lives and conduct our daily activities. Soon we become familiar and comfortable with what we have to do each day. It allows us to experience a flow to our day.

There are many more benefits to having a routine but they all benefit our health and wellness.  So be proud of your routine and enjoy the many benefits if provides.

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Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!

by | Aug 15, 2019

1 year on since my hip surgery

This week represents a full year since I had my hip surgery and I’m back doing all the things I love with the people I love and having fun in the sun.  My physical fitness challenge was to be back dancing when I celebrated my 50th earlier in the year but since then I’ve really pushed myself and I’m now back hiking in the countryside and climbing on rocks along the coastline.  Anyone who does the Mindfulness with me knows what these activities mean to me as I use them alot in my visualisations.  To be honest, my physical ability is great but my confidence in moving freely took a bit longer but I’m getting there and I’ll continue to push myself over the summer.
It goes without saying how grateful I am to be back moving freely and again I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement.  I have amazing people in my life and I feel very fortunate, so thank you!

What’s been happening?

So over the last few weeks it’s been busy here at Just Be with 2 new babies, 1 boy and 1 girl born just last week and 2 long awaited pregancy announcements. You can’t beat news like this but there’s also been some positive feedback from women who have overcome some personal challenges, both physically and pschologically.

People always ask, what’s my faviourite treatment to do and I honestly couldn’t say as it really does depend on the person I’m treating.  The most popular is definitely reflexology closely followed by Reiki then Hopi Ear Candling.  When I go for treatments it depends on what’s going on for me at the time.  At the moment I’ve been having massage as I’ve been holding tension in my shoulders, probably from work.  Mostly I have reflexology as it’s a good all round treatment for health and wellness. I practice Reiki or Mindfulness on myself daily too so that keeps me grounded and helps me to #justbe

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50 and feeling fabulous

50 and feeling fabulous

by | Feb 1, 2019

50 and Feeling Fabulous

So while I was swimming this morning I was thinking back to this time last year. I knew I was going to be having surgery and that my mother would also have major surgery before she started doing dialysis.  It was somewhat daunting but here we are a year later and all is well.  How blessed we are that everything worked out.

Then I started thinking about how 2019 is going and how I want to continue the year.  Well this month I turn 50 and I have a few treats planned and really excited about the year ahead.  Then I started to check in with my physical body as I moved through the water and thought ‘I feel fabulous’. Then I thought how do I feel mentally and emotionally and again I thought ‘I feel fabulous’  Even now I feel fabulous writing this even though I did lose my swimming hat, goggles and ear plugs in the dressing room, but I’m sure someone just put them in their bag by accident and they’ll be returned. Anyway I’ve decided I want to feel like this all year, so my moto and hastag for this year will be #50andfeelingfabulous

How will I achieve feeling fabulous

Since I started Just Be, everyday I work towards being happy and healthy and generally, well 90% of the time, I am.  I honestly love the life I have created.  That won’t change and like always there will be bumps along the way. But what does happy and healthy feel like?  Well for me, this year anyway, it’s feeling fabulous!

Like you, things don’t always work out.  The car breaks down, the washing machine dies, appointments get cancelled, we loose stuff, the list is endless.  But these things are fixable and temporary so I focus on the bigger things like my family and friends, my home, my work and the things that make me feel fabulous. I practice what I preach by taking care of myself first before others and I know who I can rely on when I need support.  Trust me I don’t do it all myself.  Yes I put the work in but I get twice as much back.

So I challenge you to also feel fabulous every day.  Take a moment each day and think ‘how am I doing?’ and change it if you don’t like how you feel.

Love & light
Yvonne

PS: I’m having a great evening looking through old photos.  Keep an eye on Instagram or Facebook for more #50andfeelingfabulous

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