Earth, Air, Fire, Water

We have all heard of the elements: earth, air, fire, and water. These four elements make up all matter. Whilst you likely do things in your every day connecting to these elements, we can use them to help our wellbeing and feel good.

To help you have more balance, energy and calm in your life, let’s look at what you can do to incorporate each of these four elements into your daily life.

Earth

Earth is a great grounding element. One of the best ways to feel instantly grounded is to take your shoes and socks off and walk on the grass or beach and feel the earth beneath you. Really feel it under your feet, curl your toes into it then spread out.. This gives you a boost as the negative ions do their thing as our body absorbs them. Give it a go and see how you feel after spending 10 or so minutes walking barefoot.

Spending time outdoors in nature is always great for you, it makes you feel great. Try to fit in a 20-30 minute walk each day or go on a longer walk at the weekends. Notice how it makes you feel, I’ve said this before, but I never come back from a walk feeling like it was a waste of time or feeling worse than I did when I left. It is such a great way to feel good.

Nature is the number one thing to help you and your wellbeing. Try to spend time each day outdoors, it doesn’t have to be long 5-10 minutes will work just fine.

Air

Think about a time when you have either been couped up indoors for too long, you had a bit too much to drink the night before, have overindulged in food or you have cold we are good at saying a walk will help to blow away the cobwebs and help to restore you back to your usual self.

A windy day can do wonders for your mind and help you to feel great, it certainly does blow away the stagnant air and energy giving you a boost and helping you to feel lighter. So don’t avoid going outside in windy days as you never know what it will do for your mind.

This combines perfectly with the breath, breathing in and breathing out. Something we do automatically. But how often do you actually focus on your breathing? Do you meditate? Or like me find it hard to stay still long enough, but could do five minutes or so? Then great, find somewhere comfortable to sit or lie down and focus on your breathing. There are many different kinds of breathing exercises, but here are two to get you started.

The first is simple. Breathe in to the count of four, and breathe out to the count of six. By elongating your out breathe it helps to calm the nervous system. This is a great technique if you suffer from anxiety or stress, practice often, start small if you need as little as breathing this way for a minute can help.

The second technique is called Box Breathing and again can help to calm the nervous system. Start by breathing in slowly to the count of four, then hold for the count of four, breathe out slowly to the count of four and then hold for the count of four, repeat. The counting helps you to focus and slow down.

Fire

Being outside in the sunshine makes us feel good – our body makes Vitamin D thanks to the sun and I don’t know about you, but I’ve always felt good when I am or have been out in the sun.

Have you been camping or have a fire pit in the garden? Sitting around the fire feeling the heat, but also watching the flames can help to reduce your heart rate. It can be soothing to hear the crackling, feel the heat and watch the flames dance around. Why not make it even better and toast marshmallows and make some smores.

If you don’t fancy direct heat from the sun or a fire pit, then warm yourself from the inside out. Add some heat to your smoothie with some cinnamon, or add chilli to your salad or dinner or drink a ginger tea. Bring some heat to your body through your food and drink and help your body to reduce inflammation.

Water

The most important thing you can do for your wellbeing is to drink plenty water. Make sure you get the required eight glasses per day. Drinking water can help to clear your skin from impurities, aid your digestion, help you to focus, improve blood flow and help your joints.

Swimming or dipping into the sea or river can help boost your immunity. Something you may wish to do more of in the summer than in winter. However, you don’t have to stay in the water for long, a few minutes in to acclimatise followed by a few minutes of swimming or paddling can be enough to give your body’s immunity a boost.

If you can’t face going in the sea or a river, then give your body a blast of cold water at the end of your daily shower.

If you are at the beach, you don’t need to immerse yourself completely, paddling your feet and feeling the cool water on your skin can work wonders. Not only are you grounding but you are getting the benefits of the water.

Walk in the rain, take note of how you feel before and after. Wear the appropriate clothing and enjoy.

Water is essential to life and you can enjoy it in so many ways.

Looking at these four elements, there are many things you can do in a day and quite often you could combine a few at once. Such as have your morning cuppa outside, whilst walking barefoot on your grass or patio or sitting with your feet touching the ground.

You can do yoga and combine with a meditation to focus on your breath.

Walk along the beach and feel the breeze in your hair before you take a dip in the sea and get the benefits from the cool water.

These are some ideas to help you get the best for your own wellbeing using the four elements. Let me know how you get on!

Have a great week and look after you.

Love Emma xx