We're too hard on ourselves. I said it. Crazy high expectations can make it difficult to feel accomplished, happy and fulfilled...all things that play a role in our mental wellness and how we show up in the world.
So what do we do? Lower your expectations. I'll say it again. Lower your expectations.
Lowering expectations (or letting go of them completely) allows us to take risks and explore without any pressure for a specific outcome. We can be more present, observing with no agenda other than to be in relation with ourselves. This is cultivating awareness.
If we're aware of how we feel, we have choices in how to move forward. Otherwise, our default patterns and responses get to take over for us - moving us out of the present and into reactivity.
We can use awareness to determine what expectations are ours vs. society's, which expectations we want to keep or let go of, and how to realistically accomplish any expectations we do keep or create.
Awareness Made Simple
I'm a fan of sneaking low-expectation wellness techniques into a routine so it doesn't add to the sense of overwhelm a lot (maybe most) of people experience on the reg. Keep it simple!
Here are two easy yoga tips to start cultivating awareness:
- Pause to breathe when you wake up. Sit in bed with your hands on your heart. Take 3-5 slow rounds of breath. Observe yourself. How is your body feeling? Where are your thoughts? What is your breathing like? How is your emotional state? From this place of presence, you choose how to best move on with the day.
- Use your yoga poses to learn about yourself. Are there poses you shy away from? Which poses make you feel confident and proud? Are there any areas of your body that you want to support or challenge more with your poses? Do you always go to the deepest edge of a stretch or can you find appreciation in the subtle sensations? Whenever you're moving next (yoga, running, weight lifting, etc.), notice what you learn about yourself in movement.
That's it. Let it be that easy - breathe and move with the intention of understanding yourself more. Awareness can be such a helpful tool to stay in touch with thoughts and emotions, then creating space to decide if and how we change things.
Train Your Awareness Muscle
Use these two tips to release pressure and open up the dialogue with yourself to see what you learn about that amazing, complex creature you spend 24/7 with! Practice every day over the next month, so your "awareness" muscle becomes strong and reliable.
Ready for me to support your team's wellness?
Learn more about our Corporate Wellness Memberships here, where we'll create a plan for at least once monthly sessions like Desk Stretches or meditation breaks. I'm happy to design custom content based on your wellness campaigns too!
About the Author:
Tiffany Lord, E-RYT & Yoga Therapeutic Specialist
Corporate Yoga Coach
Resilience + Stress Management Expert
As the founder of Love + Asana, I help busy professionals feel more resilient and and increase agency in their wellness. This all-levels, accessible approach to physical and mental health at work allows employees to easily learn and implement healthy habits during their work day…and feel the benefits ripple out into all areas of life
Since 2016, I’ve had the honor of coaching thousands of employees through virtual sessions and workshops focused on relaxation techniques, mindset, and mobility. My wellness articles have been featured in fyi50+, CO Yoga + Life, and I’m the author of three “Get With Gratitude” journals based on my online workshop series for resiliency through a grateful mindset.
I completed a 200-hour training through CorePower Yoga and received my 500-hour Therapeutic Specialist certificate through Yoga Medicine to complement my background in massage therapy and Bachelor’s Degree in International Business with Cum Laude honors from the University of Colorado at Denver. As a Continuing Education Provider with the Yoga Alliance, I share my knowledge of functional movement and the mind-body connection with yoga instructors wanting to deepen their teaching toolkit. My expertise in relaxation techniques and stress management also supports others living with Migraine through collaborations with Cove, an online migraine treatment company, and the International Headache Center.
When I’m not supporting wellness of others, I’m out improving my own – enjoying time with family & friends, dancing, camping, bouldering, reading and drinking too many lattes :)
Questions? Contact Tiffany at loveandasana@gmail.com