Making More Changes

Self-Help & Deciding to Make Changes #2

Welcome to my nothing special… But I am writing too much of my first blog that I needed to make it into two parts. To catch up, follow this link here.

So here are some more things I have added to my life that, I am hoping, will benefit not just my physical. But mental health as well.

Okay. So what’s next on the list?

Qi-Gong

Qi-Gong, pronounced Chi-Gong, is a series of slow-moving exercises that eventually created Tai-chi. A sort of mild Yoga. Originating from China roughly four and a half thousand years.,

So I needed something; that was easy but not too easy, something I could do every day that did not include jumping around on my knee. At the moment, this seems to be doing the trick. I am attempting to do up to three videos a day, depending on the length of the video. I also keep up to date with the latest videos instead of relying on the playlists. Below are the channels I have selected for now. A varied assortment of styles and practices. At some point, when I have completed these videos, I may try some others.

They also have a selection of videos for the beginner. And that is what I needed.

The exercises seem to be helping. I am not one hundred per cent sure I believe in the Chi idea. It would be nice if it were true, but I will leave that to anime and the world of fantasy. But, the simple stretches, movements, self-massage, meditation and breathing exercises are great for relaxing, destressing and slowly strengthening the body.

I should point out. Be aware of what you can and cannot do in the beginning. One exercise I did during a video did leave me unable to work for three days.

Meditation

I think I have spoken about this before… Here is the link where I wrote about it. It’s at the end of the blog.

All I can do is more or less repeat what I said before. Except I have stopped using the Inclusion Thurrock website. But I have copies of the meditations if I need them again.

At the moment, I have continued using the videos from the Great Meditation YouTube channel. I have mainly been using guided before-sleep videos when I go to bed. Occasionally I will do one when I wake up. Or when I have finished work. I try to do them daily for at least a ten-minute video.

Below are a couple of the more recent videos, at the time, of writing this. Maybe sit back, relax, concentrate on your breathing and give them a go. I use this to help with my mental health. It has helped a lot. Even if you don’t have any mental health issues, it is still a great way to help your mind destress. And help you relax, focus and deal with any problem hanging around in your head.

Reading Again

One of the ways of helping with my writing. As many “experts” suggests is that I should read more. The reasons behind this are mainly to expand my mind and help with ideas as I learn more about the craft. It is also a good exercise for the brain.

I have always enjoyed reading. I finished reading the last Harry Potter book at 5 a.m, on my wedding day. Well, I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to finish it off. But I do; go through dry periods when I just don’t read for a while. So I started up again.

The first book I started was something I began. But, never finished. Ages ago on my Kindle Paperwhite. Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack. For those that are interested. This book is set before season one of Star Trek: Picard.

After I Had finished reading Star Trek Picard, I started a couple of books I thought I would never read. So when I am at work, I read George Orwells 1984. At home, I sort of; cocked up. I didn’t “sort of.” I did. I thought I was reading One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. It turns out I was reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I did wonder why I wasn’t reading about a psychiatric ward. It wasn’t until the title was said in the story that I bothered looking at the book cover on the Kindle. I’m such an idiot.

But I am having fun. It’s just nice to sit there and look at words joined together to create many worlds where nothing is unthinkable or impossible.

More Things?

At the moment, there are a couple of things I need to do more of.

Write more: According to “experts” again. I should be writing at least 200 words a day. Separate from my journal. Which sounds good and not a lot. But a simple thing like this can sound pretty easy and then turns into near impossible. I am hoping. This blog may help ease that problem. Plus, I have some past projects that may get a boost forward.

Get out more: I need to go somewhere different instead of sitting around all day when I am not working. I can benefit both mentally and physically from this, even if it’s for a few minutes. New adventures await.

Let’s see what happens.