# Life Tools

In coaching we draw on practical tools that help you bring awareness, balance, and energy into everyday life. These tools are simple, functional, and adaptable – the kind you can return to again and again as you move through change.

## THE BEAUTY OF BALANCE

### Tipping Point

Life is about balance in every aspect. In reality there is no such thing as right or wrong. Everyone holds their own truth and only you can really know whether these limits are right for you.

By being aware and getting to know yourself. When I eat, how do I feel? When I exercise, calm, happy, energised, tired, how do I feel?

Tap into the sensations in your body, the mind, what is happening? You can learn what you value in life for you, so you can act on it.

It is when we connect and find a good balance that life seems to get easier, when we are not too busy having ideas. And at this point, we can also act and bring things back to a happy medium. This is not always easy or easy. But this is where I come in handy and can help you to pinpoint what is and what is not working in your personal life. Together we look at where the scale is at, how to bring equilibrium back to your daily life using certain tools and exercises.

## SELF RESPECT

### Never Being “Enough”

Most of us aim to be ambitious and to always improve to stand out and become “successful” in life, this can create a whole lot of pressure that we put on ourselves. It brings out the feeling of never being enough, probably the most common of all our processes that I am encouraged by clients.

We have to learn how to accept and to be forgiving and accepting of who we are, we can only do our best. Treating yourself as you would treat anyone else that you have a good start.

Judging ourselves is the forefront is important, honouring and accepting yourself when you start to “down to?” and judging yourself.

Notice when you judge others, that in reality it’s a reflection on yourself and that self-presence is highlighting something that you do not like about yourself. Ask yourself, “where did that come from?”

## BREATH

### Breathing for Feelings of Anger, Confusion, Loneliness

The word for breath in Sanskrit is “prana”. Yoga teaches that intentionally using your breath in different ways results in calming or revitalising effects. Through the breath you can learn how to control your mind and mood. Try it for yourself!

### For feelings of anger or frustration

Sit on a chair or on the floor in an upright position, take a few breaths, at that your lungs are empty and then breathe in for the count of three, press your eyes right around, breathe in for the count of three, press your eyes left around and exhale through the mouth.

You can change the count and maintain the length equal for the inhale as well as the exhale. Do this 20 times. This is a great exercise to do when feeling anxious, frustrated, agitated, and emotional.

### For feelings of loneliness

Sitting or lying down, put one hand on your belly to ground yourself and focus on the breath coming in and out of your body. Just breathe normally and if your attention wanders, just come back to the breath. Focus on the breath, then focus on your surroundings and notice the world that you are in. Notice all the people, animals, trees, the sky, etc. and imagine being connected to all these things. Notice how you are breathing and what feelings arise.

## BODY MAINTENANCE

### Cleaning the Mental Chutes!

Our bodies are like machines. If they are not used properly, parts of us stop working. In fact, when we keep our body moving, we stay healthy. Just as a car needs regular maintenance, our bodies need care.

Our mental clutter affects the body – it is a no-brainer! And not only do we have energy but we get rid of some of that unwanted stuff. Exercising is like re-setting the body. To have energy, we need to move on a daily basis. When we do, we feel balanced and ready to act, and bring things back to a happy medium. There are plenty of ways to move: walking, running, cycling, swimming, yoga, tennis, football or whatever suits you and gives you joy.

An environment around exercise is a very good way to clear the head, but also what is important is our space. To keep it tidy and clean makes a huge difference in our inner space, as how our mind might react. Just our environment does affect us in every way.

Do you find yourself in a cycle where the same thought keeps coming up, overwhelming you and making you anxious, how to get rid of it? Perhaps by distraction first, a good exercise, good food, music, and a book. The other way can be to keep asking that thought, and once it pops up, you get awareness to it and stop yourself from letting it run.

The mind is really like a computer: what you feed it is what stays. When you are aware of what you are feeding your mind, you can start choosing what you want to keep.

## NATURAL HIGHS FOR THE BODY & MIND

### Practising Awareness

Food is a great source of our state of mind. It is important to explore what we eat! Notice the up-scaling ingredients in your life and ask yourself what is nourishing, how is it a regular ritual, and healthy, aggravating? Maybe this is a clue as to what makes you feel good.

### Food is just the sauce.

We are all energy beings floating up on whatever environment, it can be simple things as a walk in the forest, fresh air and sunshine, a healthy meal. What is healthy to you?

### Fresh Air

Try to eat nutrient-rich food, with fresh colours, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Drink fresh water and avoid processed food as much as possible. The body needs what is natural and nourishing.

### Eating Meat

I am not saying do not eat meat, just avoid eating too much meat. Eat like meat, you can ask yourself how that makes you feel. Only you know what is good for your body and by observing yourself, you know.

### Naturally Organic

If you can, try to buy organic food, especially meat. As the food industry is so cruel, it is important to support alternatives and animals that live more naturally. Notice how your choices affect your body and mind.

The meat industry is not only a cruel life for animals but the consequence of cruelty is passed on to those eating processed meat. Animals are living beings. They have feelings and emotions just like humans. Their energy is transmitted to us when we eat their meat.

Superfoods: if you have a healthy balanced diet, there should be no reason for you to have a supplement. Eating seasonal foods and fresh vegetables gives the body what it needs and supports a healthy way of living.

## SOUL FOOD

### Connection with People, Nature, Creativity

Soul food is the human connection, connection with nature, with people and what is around me. To be present and breathe is what life is about. May it be a lovely old building with some magic details, a tree trunk that has been in the same place for hundreds of years, people that I have an instant connection with, you just know that they will be a friend for life.

I also love conversations with complete strangers, especially in art and at fairs or interesting places. There is a message in there for me that just makes me totally aware. But we need to stop, to look, to enjoy, see, and breathe and be present.

Travel to a place you have never been, tell a friend once you have not spoken to for a long time, watch what shows you play, do things that put a smile on your face, it is all food for the soul.