Why veg out time does a brain and body good

In the wellness field we talk a lot about mindfulness and meditation. Both are wonderful practices for the brain and body. But the brain and body are curious things. As is, mind-body connection. Sometimes, though, just vegging out and letting the mind wander is just what you need!

We talk about mindfulness and calming the mind through meditation so much in our western society because we have found ourselves in a place of constant “go”. So many of us speed through our days. We try to get everything in: work, errands, exercise, kids (for many), social life…

But we are not as good at just taking time out, or when we do it’s as an exhausted blob on the couch.

That’s where meditation and mindfulness come in. Being mindful means that you take time and pay close attention to each task, errand or action in your day. Meditation focuses the brain and lets the brain synapses fire more systematically, producing a relaxation effect. These two practices used periodically throughout the day allow a person to go through his or her day with more energy and to usually maintain that energy well into the evening.

Stress Management Tip: Just Veg Out

That said, I am also a HUGE proponent of what I call “The Art of Vegetation” 🙂 Now I’m not talking about the exhausted blob on the couch for hours at the end of the day. I’m talking about a short, perhaps specified, time where “mindlessness” (as opposed to mindfulness) is practiced.

For me, this time comes at the end of the work/ kids part of the day. When I come home after picking the kids up from their afterschool activities I am usually starting to feel pretty pooped – even if I’ve taken my meditation breaks and practiced my eating-for-energy strategies. It’s just my downtime – circadian rhythms perhaps?

I’m lucky that I’m usually able to be home by 5:00/ 5:30. My old strategy was to push through and jump right into making dinner and doing chores. Consequently,  by 8:00 PM – a full 30 minutes before my children are in bed – I was crashing into bed as that exhausted blob! I felt pretty awful. If I had an evening meeting or Mom’s Night Out, it was torture to try to make it. And I like my MNO’s!!!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A SIMPLE CHOICE MAKES

One afternoon, instead of heading right into making dinner, I decided I wanted to sit on my patio and watch my kids play on the trampoline. I spent 30 minutes just hanging out watching the kids. I left my phone inside so I wasn’t tempted to check my email one last time, or to check Facebook.

I just took time to veg out. I watched the kids, I let my mind wander, I reminded myself not to worry about the patio cleaning and yard work that needs to be done and I didn’t try to concentrate on my breath or on a mantra – Holy Cow a wellness coach and yoga teacher not concentrating on breath LOL!

By 5:30 I felt really refreshed! I was able to get up and get dinner ready. My husband doesn’t get home until 6:15 or so. It was ready shortly after he arrived home. And then after dinner, while he was doing the dishes, I didn’t want to crash right away. I actually enjoyed reading to my daughter while she bathed (instead of yawning every third sentence). I played tickle with my son and laughed with him over a funny TV show. And, I got a little laundry done before heading to bed to read myself.

Here’s the difference between the short “Art of Vegetation” and the exhausted veg (blob) on the couch:

• First, the Art of Vegetation doesn’t go on too long. Probably no more than 30 minutes, but it will differ for each individual.
• Second, the Art of Vegetation needs to be preceded by a day that is punctuated with meditation breaks and conducted in a mindful way.
• Third, the Art of Vegetation includes letting the mind wander, but staying on positive, pain & worry-free thoughts. You aren’t vegetating if you’re worrying or thinking about things that cause you stress or emotional pain.
• Finally, the Art of Vegetation does not necessarily need to take place at 5:00 PM like mine normally does. Figure out what works best for you.  Maybe vegging for 10 minutes in the middle of your morning (Perhaps instead of taking a meditation break. But, don’t skip your daily dose of meditation altogether) will work for you. Maybe taking your veg breaks at different times of the day on the different days of the week will work for you. Play with it. Most of all – enjoy the sense of relaxation.

RELATED: Bring Magic to Your Day With Walking Meditation

Keep us all posted on how it works out for you! What are your favorite times, places, and methods of vegging?

How do you create the “Art of Vegetation” in your life?

With Love,

Jen