Be present and positive

One of the big changes I’ve made to my life is taking up meditation to calm my mind and make me more present, more positive.

Before I go to sleep each night I’ll put on Spotify meditation music for five minutes up to 30 minutes and listen to it while lying down.

I’ve started focusing on my breathing. Throughout the day I’ll breathe in four seconds through my noise and out four seconds, just when I feel like I’m a bit anxious.

I also use Wim Hof’s method of breathing in, holding my breath for as long as possible, about one minute 30 seconds, then taking another big breath for 10 seconds, before releasing it.

I’ve always exercised, but when I got burnt out and was on a self-destructive path I stopped exercising. I just didn’t look after myself.

So in turning it all around, aside from meditation, breathing and reading, I started a strict exercise routine.

Living on Phillip Island meant I had more time in life, so now I train every day and will maybe have a day off a fortnight.

Because I’m a personal trainer I know how to mix it up, so I do a combination of running, weights, and boxing, for 30 minutes to an hour a day.

I love it, I love pushing myself.

Obviously everyone is not the same and wouldn’t exercise that much. It needs to be tailored.

If you can exercise three to four days a week for 20 to 30 minutes, run, bike, swim or walk, it will make a huge difference.

People often say they don’t have time but I think that’s a bit of a cop out. Why not make time? Plan your day to make time.

One of the reasons we have such a big mental health issue out there is because people aren’t looking after themselves and don’t move their bodies any more.

They get caught up in other things they think are important, like working long hours, but an unbalanced  lifestyle is not healthy.

I’m just telling you how it is. I’m not going to sit here and say not exercising is fine.

We lead such stagnant lives now and don’t move, driving our cars, sitting at a desk. But it’s important to get your body moving.

I understand people can find it hard to be positive and it’s not just about pretending to be positive, it’s about taking action.

To get out of that kind of victim mentality it can help to write a gratitude diary, to focus on the good in life and not the bad.

If you’re feeling grateful, you can’t be angry.

Practicing gratitude helps turn your mind set around, it helps to stop saying “I can’t do this”.

I’m not a nutritionist but I also believe in a healthy, balanced diet of protein, fats and carbs and yes I’ll have treats.

All these habits - implementing a consistent exercise program, changing my mindset - meant I was able to turn my life around.

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