April: The Opportunity to #Revitalize

As a mental health professional, one of the most common issues faced by my clients stems from boredom. "Feeling bored" is something we all experience: sometimes, its the state of purposelessness or failing to find meaning (whether doing something or not), and maybe a lack of interest in something. Feeling this from time to time is normal, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to more serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, frustration, and the tendency toward risky behaviors.

Do you know the slang term "like Groundhog Day"? When someone says it's "like Groundhog Day," it means they are in a situation that seem to be repeating or monotonous, usually in a negative way. It comes from the movie Groundhog Day in 1993, where the main character got stuck in a time loop.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in this situation.

But we can do something about it.

Awareness is key.

The first step to anything is awareness. Knowing that you are stuck is the halfway point to getting unstuck. Knowing that you are getting bored is already showing you the path to handling your boredom.

#Revitalize your routine!

Whether your Groundhog Day is at work or at home, with your fitness or relationship or diet, there are ways for you to try and find meaning to it all.

An easy start is to change up the routine a bit. If you are doing yoga consistently, for example, a simple way to change it is to try out another time slot, another teacher, or another studio. You can also add another movement discipline to the mix, such as Pilates, walking, running, cycling, or doing strength training at the gym. When you go to your next yoga session, it'll feel either brand new or like going back home: warm, cozy, predictable, comfortable.

You can do something similar to the other "boring" aspects of everyday life.

At work, you can try a different way of doing things. If you are used to waking up just in time for work, try waking up a little earlier and see if the extra time in the morning can give your brain the "warm up" it needs, or if the slowness of the morning can feel like self-care. Knowing you spent time for yourself can give you a feeling of achievement.

Challenging your usual is really the easiest way to find new energy in your days. Whether that's learning something new, picking up an old hobby, changing your route going to work/home, engaging and finding joy in the present moment, and even taking a break or a quick nap are some ways to do this.

Bringing this with you to the mat.

As you step on to your mat and practice your yoga asana, see if you can reflect on your physical practice. How can I find new energy in this downward facing dog? Maybe a shift in focus can help revitalize your practice: noticing the effort on your pinky fingers, bringing awareness to the length of your spine, or lifting your chin slightly so you are not cramping your neck.

When you start to stay put on Warrior 2 for 5 long breaths or wait in Savasana, notice what enters your thoughts. What do I think about when I am asked not to think about anything? This way, you add purpose to the pose and to the stillness.

I use yoga asana to complement my energy!

The curiosity you bring with you to the mat can teach you many things about yourself. For us in Treehouse, yoga asana is a tool to get our yogis to this point of awareness, so that we can all evolve into the better versions of ourselves. As we embrace who we are, we are also given the opportunity for self-improvement, so we are never stagnant.

This April, another light that guides us on our #Roadto10Years has been lit. Let Revitalize give you new energy in your life.

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 Interested to write for Treehouse Yoga? We'd love to read your stories and musings!

Sharing your insights, both on and off the mat, is a wonderful way to foster connection and remind us that we are not alone in our thoughts. In fact, it helps anchor us in our asanas and enrich our practice.

We will feature up to 5 stories aligned with our monthly theme, due on the 10th and 20th day of the month. Featured articles will be on the Treehouse Insight page and will be available to the public. By-line is optional.

Authors of published posts will be granted two (2) Treehouse Yoga Gratitude Passes as our way of saying thanks for contributing to the community.

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