Do you go through the day without taking a second to yourself? A Gentle Reminder can be anything you can use as a trigger or cue to remind yourself to take a moment or do a particular task.  Perhaps a sound like a siren or set an alarm on your phone to beep every couple of hours . Tasks can include anything from repeating an affirmation or visualisation to taking a deep, relaxing breath.

S-Stop

T-Take a breath

O-Observe

P-Proceed

Affirmations are a very effective way of reinforcing healthy beliefs and creating inner change. The gentle reminder cue can provide a self-help tool that will trigger a reminder to repeat an affirmation on a regular basis.

” I am becoming more and more confident in myself”

“I am choosing healthy food that makes me feel good”

“I love and appreciate myself”

Using a gentle reminder for taking five minutes to yourself on a regular basis can help reduce tension and stress. It brings you into the present moment which is free from suffering. It reconnects you with simple pleasures.

5 minute visualisation for clearing energy

Sit comfortably in a chair with the legs uncrossed and both feet touching the ground, with a tall spine.

Close your eyes and breathe in and out through the nose.

Mentally or physically brush out any old energy or fatigue down the arms, torso, and legs. This is symbolic of “brushing it off” and letting go.

Visualise the whole body surrounded by a vibrant light, any colour works.

Visualise and sense the light entering in the crown of your head and travelling down your body. Spend time to see and sense the light nourishing the brain cells, healing the organs, and travelling all the way to the fingers and toes. 

Stay here as long as it feels appropriate.

Bring awareness back to the breathing and deepen the breath.

When you are ready, gently open your eyes. 

Thomas Merton said, “Solitude is not something you must hope for in the future. Rather, it is a deepening of the present, and unless you look for it in the present you will never find it.”