IF ever a city needed to relax, it’s New York, says executive meditation coach Mark Thornton, an Australia native who’s worked around the globe.
But the good news is that even the most time-starved, Type-A New Yorkers can energize their bodies and clear their minds with a few small practices. Here are some tips for a calmer workday.
* During your commute: On the train or bus, breath deeply, close your eyes and notice the sensations in your body, suggests Thornton. Open your eyes and pay attention to the sights, smells and sounds around you. Then, try to notice everything inside and outside of you at the same time.
* In your office chair: Place your feet on the ground, draw in your stomach and roll your shoulders back in big circles. Then roll them forward five times, recommends Tevis Gale of Balance Integration.
* At lunch: Eat slowly, taking note of the color, texture and smell of your meal. It’s a way of slowing down and focusing on the moment, says Thornton, who calls the exercise “eating with awareness.”
* During the midday slump: Keep a five-pound weight by your desk, and do a set of arm curls to pump up your heart rate, says Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute.
* Throughout the day: Breathe deeply. Inhale for a count of three, and exhale the same way. Repeat.