These last couple of months sitting at home on the couch have eroded more than my waist line. My get-up-and-go is gone, too. How about you?

I admit there’s nothing wrong with a break from our overscheduled and distracted lives. I’m not suggesting we return to that. I’m proposing we restore some healthy momentum in the wake of binging on Netflix and potato chips. Momentum is our proof of life!

Oddly enough, momentum doesn’t build by filling up our calendars and frantically rushing out to make up for lost time. Don’t mistake a busy life for positive momentum. Healthy momentum emerges by slowing down, but in a totally different way than how we’ve been living recently.

Seriously? How can slowing down build momentum!?

We build momentum when we slow down to focus on the moments of our life.

If this seems a strange correlation, think of this: momentum is the 14^th century Latin root of the word moment. This speaks to me about their practical kinship. Unlike an instant, they are both ongoing, and a transition between our past and our future. Our moments are the secret agents of momentum.

Here are four momentum-makers to restore the life we deserve:

Your Ordinary Moments Can Be Extraordinary

It’s easy to remember the big, life-changing moments in our lives. But it’s equally important to see how the everyday ones are special too. The true meaning of our moments is more about how we orient our hearts and souls toward them. We can always find meaning in every moment if we choose.

Our seemingly unremarkable and barely noticeable moments can provide us with inside information about the meaning of life. Begin by raising your awareness of the feel-good moments of your day. Then create the habit of looking for them the next day.

Every night, take inventory of:

• What made you laugh and feel good?
• What stirred up feelings of love and life?
• Where were the moments of unexpected beauty?

Sure, make a plan. Set a goal. Work toward it. But in spite of your plans, look around and drink in the momentum-building moments of your life.

Create a “Life-List”

As an extrovert living in this slower world, I’ve been re-examining the concept of the bucket list. My problem with bucket list mentality is that it feels driven by the fear that time is running out. Yes, time is precious. But healthy momentum doesn’t thrive under pressure.

There were times in my life when I didn’t know if I’d live or die. I planned my recovery with promises to write another book, travel to Israel, and maybe raise llamas!

Last time I was in this life threatening position, something changed. I stopped thinking about what I hadn’t done and began to feel God nudge me to do what I was already doing, but differently. Rather than live like I was dying, I began to live like I was living. So:

• Stop pressuring yourself to make up for lost time.
• Don’t ask what you haven’t done. Ask what you can do better.
• Start using the phrase life list instead of bucket list!

Live as If You Have All the Time in the World

Momentum doesn’t mean living faster. It means living better. This concept may be hard to accept considering many of us give in to the warning: “There aren’t enough hours in the day.” We love shortcuts, express lanes, and rapid rewards. The problem is, an abbreviated life is less of a life.

If you live like you have all the time in the world, your life will feel more valuable. You will create the kind of momentum that carries you up and on, instead of exhausting and costing you dearly. For example:

• Instead of taking the fastest way home, take the scenic route home to rebuild your energy.
• Instead of eating in the car after driving through the shortest line, pull into a spot under a tree to feed your body and your soul.
• Instead of texting the abbreviated BFF, spend three more seconds to spell out the words, Best Friends Forever. Seeing these actual words will stir up a greater positive emotional experience.

Embrace What’s Familiar in an Unfamiliar Way

Familiarity feels good. When our brains recognize something familiar, they release a small hit of dopamine – the chemical source of feel good emotions. We know what we love and so we love what we know. We get hooked on this predictable, but dangerous, feedback loop.

New experiences can feel like lifting a refrigerator – risky and frustrating. But the way our brains work is pretty cool. When they sense something new, they stretch, which is a little uncomfortable. Our brain chemistry goes a bit crazy when it expands – as do we. So, we avoid uncomfortable new experiences.

Why do we need new experiences? Because they make us feel alive. They move us toward the purpose we’ve been created for. But here’s what’s important:

• You don’t have to chase completely new activities or meet new people and places.
• Simply change HOW you experience what’s already in your life, by paying attention to the quality of your life – not the quantity of your experiences.
• Finally, get going!

You need and deserve life-affirming and meaningful momentum starting this very moment.

Has this pandemic set your momentum down? Are you moving backward instead of forward? What do you think you need to start living in the moment and get your healthy momentum back? Please share your thoughts with our community!

I consider myself a world class
thrifter. I’m very proud of that credential. If I’m traveling and I have a
little time, I head right to the local thrift store (there’s an app for that).
I’ve learned that the best thrifting is found in affluent communities where
thrifting is not cool. More good stuff for me.

When I found myself in Fairfield, CT,
one of the wealthiest counties in the country, I hit the mother lode. I’ll even
text friends and say, “I have a shirt here you would love… the tags are still
on it… do you want it?”

For years I’ve been pondering why
thrifting speaks to my soul as well as my budget. I’ve discovered that the art
of thrifting has many layers.

It’s a cultural experience, a
spiritual experience, a chance to exercise my creativity, and a good, old
fashioned treasure hunt. And it’s good for the environment. Many people don’t
realize how “disposable fashion” creates tons of waste.

Actually, I’m a Minimalist

My visits to my local Salvation Army
have been especially fun and productive. It’s a store I’ve gone to for many
years. The clerks recognize me. I bring my own cloth bags.

My affection for the Salvo is not as
simple as my love of bargains – like buying dresses with the tags still on (and
maybe, if I’m really lucky, the tag is the 50% off color of the day).

Ironically, I’ve been thinking a lot
about materialism and embracing the reality that I have more than enough. For
goodness sake, I’m just about to launch my online course “Too Much Stuff,”
which addresses clutter and helps people navigate their feelings about needing
to keep things they don’t use.

But thrifting falls into a different
category for me. It’s just as much about the process. I thrift mindfully. I’m
no longer buying things just because they are bargains. Thrifting has become an
art form with many facets.

World Market

In Syracuse, New York, we have an
active immigrant resettlement program, and many new citizens shop at the Salvo.
I hear languages from all over the world. I see faces that are clearly not
native to Upstate NY.

I soak in the international vibe, and
I feel connected to the world community. I have deep awe for those who have
traveled very far to come here. Sometimes I think about what they’ve left behind,
and what it was like to relocate so far from home.

I know some people have never seen
snow before. I am also aware that not everyone is welcoming to immigrants, so I
try to send welcoming vibes, even if it’s just a smile.

I can’t imagine how challenging it
must be. Appreciation is an enriching experience, as is the gratitude I feel
for not having to flee from my own country.

I’m with Marie on This

When I pick up an article of clothing,
it has a history. Marie Kondo speaks eloquently about clothes and their spirit.
These items are imbued with a story. Although I wash the clothes before I wear
them, wearing them also helps me feel connected to others.

There’s a spiritual strand that
connects us through wearing the same clothes. It reminds me of when I went away
to school and I shared
clothes with my dorm buddies. It felt familiar and friendly. It’s a kind of
shared experience.

Connecting with Creativity and My Mom

My strolls through the aisles in the
Salvo also allow me to relax my mind – to be open to surprise. Buddhists call
this “beginner’s mind.” I try to consider styles that aren’t part of my usual
psychotherapist uniform.

What about this color? How could I
wear this? I channel my mother who was a professional artist. She gave me an
eye for color and quality. It’s a skill I’m very grateful for. Sometimes I take
a chance on something I wouldn’t usually wear – especially if the tag is the
color of the day.

Dogs and Purses

Rescue and rehabilitation are another
part of the thrifting experience. Some of the items need a little love. I
bought a very well worn, high quality purse that had seen better days. I took
it home and washed it with leather soap. Years of dirt came off and it had a
new luster and lease on life.

It occurred to me that thrifting can
call on our compassion. I believe in second chances. That probably explains why
I have three rescue dogs.

I also love to shop at the big box
store nurseries, where they have a rack for unloved plants. One of my fellow
shoppers called it the “death row.” Either way, some of my best perennials are
thriving after a little love and water.

It’s Not for Everyone

I know that thrifting is not for
everyone. One of my friends says there’s a “shkeev factor.” My son says it
smells bad in the Salvo. I get irritated when the local college kids come in
for their party costumes and can be quite oblivious and even arrogant.

But it resonates with me on many
levels. Finding the activities that fit your identity at the deepest levels is
important. I joke with my husband that my tombstone will say, “She was a great
thrifter.” That would be fine with me.

What
do you think of thrift shopping? Is it an experience you’ve tried or would like
to try? What are your best thrift store finds? Do you see a connection between
thrifting and mindfulness? Please share your thoughts with our community!

Growing up in Buenos Aires, where summer days are hot and endless, “Siesta Time” got us kids out of the pool or away from the sprinklers and into a cool and quiet house to avoid the strong sun and the most intense heat of the day. Mother would send us off to our rooms for an hour of rest.

While climbing the stairs to our rooms, we grumbled all the way at the unfairness of it all, but we did close our doors and invariably fell asleep for a while. My parents found it essential for us and for themselves. One can say that I was brought up believing that everyone, kids and adults alike, need a break in the early afternoon.

A Nap Time to Envy

As you can tell, I talk about it freely and without an ounce of guilt or shame. When I tell friends, “I took the most wonderful nap this afternoon,” they invariably inform me that they “can’t possibly sleep in the daytime.”

It makes me wonder if the thought of allowing themselves some rest during the day would somehow make them seem lazy.

The puritanical notion that sleeping before the sun has set is somehow shameful has to stop. After all, doing something nice and comforting for yourself should definitely include some shut-eye time in the early afternoon.

It’s also important to note that it’s a tradition enjoyed in many countries around the world. Try to go shopping in the early afternoon in Spain, Italy, or many other countries in the world, and you will find that shops are closed to honor the beloved tradition of the siesta.

In Italy, they call it riposo, or repose – an appropriate term for what we need when dealing with the worries associated with this time in our lives.

So, during these times of uncertainty, and while we’re sheltered in our homes, we have the perfect opportunity to learn and practice this new healthy skill and, like me, become a life-long siesta aficionada.

COVID-19 and the Benefits of Rest

Good nutrition, drinking plenty of water, exercise, and rest are all fundamental in promoting our resistance to disease by strengthening our immune system. In isolation, no matter how endless a day may feel or how stressful your thoughts can become, a nap will provide a needed respite from it all.

Being Kind to Yourself and Others

A nap can help you quiet your thoughts and allay your fears from the anxiety that you may be feeling. You’ll be helping yourself and those who love you by resting your body and your mind in the early afternoon.

A short respite will give you a chance to put your worries to rest and then, once refreshed, get back to your day with a more positive perspective.

Get Better and More Restful Sleep at Night

Contrary to popular belief, it can certainly help to break up your day and not leave you going to sleep at night stressed out, exhausted, and overstimulated.

Relax and Unplug from Electronics and Technology

With a break from the extraneous stimulation of phones, computers, TVs, and other distractions, you can give yourself the gift of peace, and rest your eyes and brain in the process.

9 Tips to Renew and Refresh Your Day

Here are my suggestions that can help to get you started:

Not Too Early, Not Too Late

Plan a time in the early afternoon, perhaps after lunch, when you can disconnect from everything that gives you stress. Just like a meditation, this is your time, your body’s time to stop worrying, stop doing, stop planning or listening to anybody else’s needs and focus on your own.

Don’t let that feeling of “FOMO” (fear of missing out) deter you. You’ll still have a big chunk of daytime to return to when you wake up. Most things can wait.

Intention Is the Key

There will be many things holding you back from focusing on your nap and from listening to your body. Ignore them. Leave your phone elsewhere or set it on silent. It doesn’t have to be pitch black in the room, just soothing and without the glare of light or the sun shining on your face.

Wear Something Soft and Comfortable

If you’re wearing restrictive clothing, by all means change into something comfy, and yes, unhook that bra if you’re wearing one. You can get into bed or just lie on top of the comforter. Cover yourself up with your favorite throw or blanket.

Find Your Sleep Position (We All Have One)

Your best position is one where your body is not stiff or rigid in any way. Keep it rounded, soft, and supported with pillows where you need them. A glass of water on the bedside table will enable you to take a sip without having to leave your bed.

Breathe Deeply and Relax Your Body

Like in meditation, if any distracting thoughts enter your consciousness, blow them away with your exhale and focus on breathing in deeply.

Visualize your breath going all the way down to your belly and when you exhale, release any thought that can stop you from total relaxation. Your breath will help you focus.

Go Slow

If you’re new to the art of the siesta, you may have to do a little progressive relaxation to calm yourself down. In the sanctuary of your room, in your bed, let your deep breaths reach and calm down every part of your body; perhaps from your toes up to your face and head.

Relax your hands. Release and give in to the delicious feeling of total surrender. Even if you can’t sleep the first time, your body will thank you for allowing it to rest in a horizontal position. You will soon get the hang of it.

Sleep for Around 30 Minutes to an Hour

The length of your siesta is important. This is meant to be a break not a full blown night’s sleep. Anything from 30 minutes to around an hour will be enough to get you through the rest of your day and not interfere with your more profound sleep when you finally settle in for the night.

It will take you a while to settle down so a whole hour will include that initial preparation phase of getting quiet and comfortable.

When You Wake Up

You don’t need to spring out of bed like a gazelle. Get up slowly and stretch out like a cat. Drink a glass of water and perhaps spray some water on your face to freshen up. It feels delightful.

I like to spray myself with a gentle rosewater toner because I enjoy the fragrance and the coolness. I complete my siesta with a nice cup of herbal tea. Perfect!

Yes, You Can Rest at Work

Since so many of us are working from home right now, this is the ideal time to take a little break in your own surroundings. You may be surprised by the fact that Google, Samsung, Mercedes Benz and others value the increased productivity that a nap provides their employees.

Social psychologist James Maas coined the term “power nap.” Perhaps you prefer to call it that rather than sleepy Siesta time? Go ahead, you can call it whatever you like as long as you use that time for yourself.

Once you get the hang of it and save that space in your day for yourself and your resting needs, you too will joyfully sing “Viva La Siesta!” to the tune of “Viva Las Vegas!”

Do you intentionally nap? How do you feel about sleeping during the day? Do you sleep less at night after an early afternoon nap? Let’s have a conversation.