11 March . 2025
Find the Tehaleh Sound: Tips for Mindfulness
There’s a lot going on, right? The to-do list is short for a day or two and then life keeps adding an extra note here, another reminder there, and boom: the original list has its own to-do list. Maybe you miss a weekend because you’re booking summer travel plans or running errands around town.
Those moments in between (i.e. blasting Shania Twain on the drive to work) well, they give you that amazing moment of free time. Suddenly you realize…I haven’t taken a real moment for myself. When did I take a walk…and not just any walk…but a meandering stroll through Tehaleh?
Go for a walk. A release walk.
We all do it, but do we do it mindfully? The daily shuffle: walking the dog(s), getting kids to school on time, peeling off to work. How about a release walk? Leave your phone on silent, do not disturb mode, or if possible…leave it at home? *gasp*
Walking has been around for a little bit longer than cell phones. And legend has it that birds were the original notification chimes. Take a release walk on one of Tehaleh's 40+ miles of trails and bring yourself back into the natural soundscape around you. That’s the sound of your neighborhood. It can help you come back to your inner peace and be refreshed by the time you have to move on to your next task.
Stretch like you mean it
Wherever you are right now, take a second to check in with your body. Are your shoulders hunched? Neck tight? Lower back aching? A lot of us hold our tension and stress in our upper body, including our shoulders, neck, and back.
Roll those shoulders back and down. Tilt your head side to side to ease that neck tension. Stand up and stretch those arms overhead. Set an alarm and do it again in three hours. These stretches will help your body remember to relax throughout the day, releasing your tension, anxiety, or stress. You'll thank yourself later when you don't have that aching crick in your neck.
A day without screens? Give it a go.
As a society, are always plugged in. And while technology keeps us connected, it’s also keeping us distracted. Why not try a digital-free day?
You might find yourself reading a book you’ve been meaning to start, find an amazing new recipe in that cookbook you got for the holidays, or you just might enjoy the time distraction-free.
You don’t have to go full “Walden Pond” hermit. Take a day to de-digitize. It may be plenty to reset your mind and get you back to being present.
Say hello to someone new
Being mindful can stretch to social activities too. On your daily walks you might find an opportunity to strike up a conversation with a new neighbor. Or you could meet with a friend for a coffee at the Post & Pour. Tehaleh is a community full of friendly faces and getting to know them can make every day that much more meaningful. Everybody has a story to tell, and it can be invigorating to tell one too.
Breathe like you mean it
Deep breathing may sound too simple sometimes. Just inhale and exhale? Hmm…
Try it out:
- Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.
- Hold for a moment. (don’t turn blue)
- Exhale just as slowly.
When you inhale, your heart rate increases. When you breathe out, it slows down. When you slow it all down, it has a seemingly magical effect and reminds your body that all is under control. You don’t need a candle-lit room or a deprivation tank to relax. Just take a deep breath, and release. And repeat.
Find a single focus activity
Are we really all that good at multitasking? Some say yes, and others watch an entire season of Scrubs before realizing there’s a pile of laundry that hasn’t been folded in…a few days.
How about taking one thing at a time. Cook a meal without listening or watching something. Head out on one of those release walks with your partner. Or just hang out with your partner intentionally and chat away the hours in the living room. Catch up. Stay focused. Build meaningful moments where your attention is spot on.
Bring a little mindfulness to each day
The world keeps spinning fast, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Find some slow spots in your day and make a few simple changes so you can get back to living and loving the life you've created here in the Neighborwoods.
Reach out today to learn more about what life is like here in Tehaleh.