Mindful Resolutions for a Happier 2019

Did you glide through 2018 with a big smile on your face?

Was 2018 a year of grace and ease under pressure?

If not, here are some amazing tips for a kinder, gentler 2019.

My friend Julie Potiker, author of  “Life Falls Apart, but You Don’t Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm In the Midst of Chaos,” offers super useful tips to make sure 2019 is a year of serenity and mindfulness.

  1. Take In the Good: In 2019, turn your focus toward experiencing the fullness of every beautiful, joyful, silly, fun, or wonderful experience you have. Savor the positive mental state for a few moments to create new neural bridges; what fires together, wires together! By letting the good feelings land, you are pushing the mental state into a neural trait, resulting in a happier brain.

 

  1. Label Negative Emotions: Practice R.A.I.N. When you experience anger, frustration, sadness, or any other negative emotion, recognize it by saying, “Oh, that’s anger” (or whatever the emotion is) coming up right now.” The mere mention of the emotion calms down the brain. Then allow it to be there for a few moments while you gently investigate why it’s there. Finally, nourish yourself by looking inward and asking what you need to hear or do right now to help yourself feel better.

 

  1. Do What Gives You Joy: Life is full of emotional chaos, but bringing it back to focused activities that give joy to your soul can mean the difference between making or breaking it day to day, year to year. Take a few minutes to write down a list of everything you can think of that brings you joy — little things and big things alike — then commit to doing one thing from that list every day.

 

  1. Get Grounded: When you feel anxiety ramping up, focus your attention downward and feel your feet on the floor. Breathe deeply, keeping your focus on the sensation of your feet (i.e., bare, in socks or shoes, whatever — feel it all, just as it is) on the floor. This is an instant tool to break the cycle of anxiety.

 

  1. Transform Suffering Into Love (Tonglen): When you experience suffering — whether from a personal tragedy, an international one, or anything in between — use the Receiving-Sending meditation to transform that suffering into love. Breathe in the pain and sorrow; breathe out love and compassion. Breathe in the suffering; breathe out peace.

 

This year, let mindfulness help you become more resilient. Feel your frustration or disappointment or whatever it is that comes up for you, then turn to one of your Mindful Methods tools to comfort yourself, as you would comfort a dear friend. You are that dear friend! You can enjoy the present more without ruminating on the past or worrying as much about the future.

I would suggest you print these out and post somewhere as a daily reminder!

Wishing you love, laughter and magical kisses,

Arielle

P.S. Julie is hosting at nonprofit retreat center A Ship In the Woods in Escondido, CA. She is donating all proceeds from ticket sales and onsite book sales to the A Ship In the Woods 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  Please visit:

What Oprah and I Have in Common

I just got my December issue of O magazine featuring Oprah’s favorite things….that got me thinking about MY favorite things…the things I use nearly every day.
While many of Oprah’s are quite pricey, mine are mostly in the $20-$30 range and they are what I consider “small luxuries.”
These items bring me joy, beauty, comfort, and ease.
Get some for yourself (and they make great stocking stuffers!)

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

I LOVE this delicious smelling and creamy moisturizer that always puts a smile on my face. And, it’s a good solution to dry, winter skin!

The Wand Removes Histamines & Sulfite Preservatives, No More Wine Headaches
I can finally drink red wine thanks to this amazing product that truly works! The Wand alleviates ALL of the most common side effects from drinking wine: Headaches, Congestion, Skin Flush, Upset Stomach, and Hangovers. REMOVES HISTAMINES AND SULFITES that trigger the most common wine sensitivities. The Wand filters all types of wines, including red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. And, it works WITHOUT changing the natural taste, aromas or color of wine.

Zing Vital Energy Nutrition Bar
I always have one of these tasty, healthy bars close by for when hunger strikes!
I love the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip…it’s High Protein, High Fiber, Low Sugar, Chunky Peanut Butter, Real Dark Chocolate that is gluten-free, non-GMO, with 10 grams of plant-based vegan protein, mixed with real, optimum natural ingredients to give you wholesome energy and nutrition with real flavor in each bite.

The Original, Eco-friendly, Portable Travel Drinking Straw
We’ve all heard that plastic straws are destroying the planet….now there is a cool solution, bring your own stainless steel straw in its own very attractive bamboo case. I never leave home without them!

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes
Magnesium Salt Flakes offer a highly effective, yet muscle-calming, means of absorbing magnesium nutrients. Pour into a warm bath and soak – it not only infuses you with necessary magnesium, it dissolves negative energy cords!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 (this not your ordinary Chapstick—it’s luxurious!)
Hydrating treatment that nourishes, protects and plumps the lips. Has a bright, citrus scent and is FREE of petroleum, mineral oil, and lanoline and NO Parabens – Sulfates – Synthetic Dyes – Petrochemicals – Phthalates – GMOs – Triclosan.

Small luxuries are a must-have for me…a daily reminder of how good and abundant life is!

Wishing you love, laughter, and magical kisses,

Arielle