Sunrise, digital re-route & cosy day food
Yesterday I was up before the sun rose, looking at the wet sheen across the tarmacked road. There was deep tissue serenity in that, giving me a spacious mind as the world painted itself into existence, ever so slowly. And, I didn’t check my phone.
There were rooftops glistening, tree trunks shining, green leaves sparkling, grass with raindrops and clay grey sky. Peace, was all around. It turned out to be a cosy weather day, one that curled itself around people as they moved through the weekend, being, doing and being some more. Or doing, being and doing some more.
Today in the early hours there was actual sun to be seen. As it rose up, a perfectly blue sky came into being, with a gentle scattering of lace-like cloud.
Digital detox
The digital detox I’m doing for the month of May is going well. I work virtually on a laptop, and so my digital detox involves only checking emails and phone when I begin work and when I finish work — no scrolling, social media for work only and phone off.
Going well hasn’t meant one hundred percent successful. Yesterday I scrolled YouTube at some point during the wet afternoon, instead of picking up a book I looked at the news headlines and I didn’t switch off my mobile, instead reaching out to it to see if I had any messages, quite a few times. I noticed that if phone is on, some part of my mind is still connected to it. A sense that there maybe something to attend to.
At the end of the day I reflected on how doing these things had been a complete waste of time. This morning I realised how freeing it had been not to be checking my phone, and today it will be turned off again, apart from my two windows for catching up with messages and friends.
Last year my mum was moving through the end of her years. She had dementia, and had started having a lot of falls. She was a fiercely independent women and determined to stay in her home until the end. And, to bring that end to a quick close by gradually eating nothing at all. She was very positive about this, not due to the early stage dementia but due to feeling we all live too long, and she’d had her life. In younger years she had come alongside others with dementia, and she made the decision back then that she would bring it to a close quickly if it happened to her. And that’s what she did, very successfully. So, I got into the habit of checking my phone all the time, just in case mum had had another fall.
Well, that habit has continued since she died. I catch myself in the middle of other things, unconsciously reaching for the mobile. And then, as awareness arises thinking, I don’t have to do this anymore. This first week of my digital detox has broken that habit. I no longer get up and go to the phone straight away to see if there’s a message I need to deal with. And that has re-routed me, back into myself. I find I like it here. It’s a good place to be.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda explains that getting up just before the sun rises or 6 am, whichever comes first, resets your circadian rhythm — one of our biological rhythms that is tuned to the 24 hour solar cycle. When you get up at this time of day you give your physical and mental health the best support. And, for a little space of time, you seem to have the whole world to yourself.
I was drawn to Ayurveda because it’s a nature-based approach to health that views us as part of nature, and it has been around for over 5000 years. Ayurveda explains that our biology is responding to the natural world all the time. Living in synch with nature’s rhythms allows us to stay in balance. And balance, is what’s needed for health.
When you are tired and not sleeping well, getting up just before sunrise can seem counterintuitive, but by resetting your circadian rhythm you will reset your sleep cycle. Perhaps you’ll try it for a couple of weeks to see if you notice a difference to your level of well-being.
14-day challenge
Let me know in the comments if you would like to get up just before sunrise as a 14-day challenge. I can create a thread to support you.
Resetting your circadian rhythm can help with sleep issues, weight gain, nervous system problems, chronic diseases, anxiety, stress, inflammation and depression. It brings clarity, supports the play of hormones in your body, and brings brightness to your day. These early morning beginnings allow you to set sail into your life the way you want to, rather than being taken off course by the world you wake up into latter in the day. Even if you’re just feeling a bit life weary, the practice of getting up with the sun can change that too — sometimes we forget how good life can feel.
Recipe
Here’s a cosy, colourful meal for a rainy day.
Beetroot RAGU with sweet potato & avocado
INGREDIENTS (per main sized portion)
2 cups of minced beef or adzuki beans (beans can be cooked or just soaked)
1 tablespoon ghee or butter
1 small chopped onion
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 medium chopped beetroot (1 centimetre square-ish)
1 tin chopped tomatoes
3 cups stock
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
A few sprigs of thyme
2 teaspoons tamari
Rock salt to season
Black pepper to season
METHOD
If using the mince brown this in the ghee then add the chopped onions and garlic. Continue to sauté until the onions and garlic are soft, on a medium heat (if not using the beef just sauté the onion and garlic). Then add the other ingredients and simmer for about an hour — until the liquid has reduced and everything is cooked. I served this RAGU with baked sweet potato, purple carrots, avocado, live yogurt and cilantro. It’s a great rainy day meal.
Until Wednesday.
Wishing you the warmest of weeks,
Lucy x