Reconnecting, Mind, Body, and Soul.

We’ve come so far – from technological advancements to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, mankind has soared to staggering heights. But with these advancements and the relentless need to speed things up, we’ve forgotten the basics: how to be happy, how to be well – simply how to be.

From the entertainment we distract ourselves with to the processed food we consume, we’ve lost sight of what it means to be alive and forgotten the tools that can contribute to our well-being. To honor the self, mind, body, and soul, we delve into the basics of things, and how to reconnect with all three.

MIND

By Noura Al Joaib

We’ve heard it often enough: Disconnect to reconnect. Minds abuzz and phones lighting up with sporadic notifications, our thoughts and desks cluttered – this is the epidemic of our time. Why has it become seemingly impossible to sit still, stop refreshing our online feeds, and carry on a conversation without once looking at our phones?

We’ve forgotten how to do things mindfully – that mental state achieved by focusing our awareness on the present moment, and being fully engaged.

To re-achieve that, we’ll need a little spring cleaning.

Declutter

Whether it’s our physical, mental, or emotional space, decluttering helps us realize what is truly important. Start small: clear out your workspace each week, and stop making plans you don’t intend to keep.

DS Recommends: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō (available at Jarir Bookstore)

Unplug

Staying connected has its benefits, but the occasional digital detox is necessary. Does your phone cause you anxiety? Do you get twitchy when your battery’s low and there’s nowhere to charge? Are you looking at your screen more than anywhere else? Try going off the grid digitally. Start small: turn off notifications and restrict screen time. Take a step further and swap your smartphone for a “dumbphone” that only takes phone calls. You’d be more present in real life and in-the-moment, more attentive, and more engaged with yourself and with others.

Go on a tech detox and write to us about your experience! Email editor@destinationsharqiya.com.

BODY

By Hajer Al Alwan

Amidst our fast-paced lives, we often overlook our physical health and wellness. The more modernized we become, the less careful we are about what we consume, our (in)activity, and our remedies for our ailments.

You are what you eat

A good place to start is avoiding preservatives and canned foods, which make a good portion of our daily food consumption. Chemicals added in the production of processed food lead to health complications in adults and children alike.

What you can do:

• Go for fresh options whenever available. If not, go for frozen rather than canned goods as they contain fewer preservatives.
• Avoid using products that contain BPA, an ingredient used to make plastic that is also used in most canned and processed product packaging.
• Read labels and ingredients. Choose foods labeled non-GMO and those that contain trans-fat.

Alternative Remedies

In the day, access to artificial remedies and chemical beauty products was limited. We can look back on the simpler ways our ancestors solved problems and take cues from them.

• Sage: Sage tea is good for balancing female hormones and adding a glow to the skin.
• Myrrh: Famously used to cure lots of health complications, and used today to ease issues like gas, chest infections, and stomach bugs.
• Luqqah: Used in small amounts with red tea for flavoring to ease an upset stomach.
• Marqadoosh: Also used to help with the symptoms of an upset stomach.
• Frankincense(Luban in Arabic): Used for religious rituals and aromatherapy (burned on hot charcoal) and famous for improving memory and strengthening the heart and brain.
• Alum(Shabba in Arabic): Used to control sweat (an alternative deodorant), ease mouth sores and constipation, and for teeth whitening.
• Miswak: Oral disinfectant containing fluoride used before the modern toothbrush.

Find these herbs at:
Sharqiya Perfumery (Attar Al Sharqiya)
Location: Al Hayat Plaza, King Saud St., Al Anud, Dammam
Al Hussain Perfumary
Location: Jeddah St., Thuqbah, Khobar

SOUL

By Filza Siddiqui

We get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to truly appreciate the beauty around us. One of the best ways to reconnect with the mind, body, and soul is through the profound experience of connecting with nature. It might often feel like a prop in the background of your life, but a tree, a rock, a cloud, or a ray of sunshine, has the power to bring deep peace within your soul. You might realize that nature isn’t just around you, you are also a part of it.

People can channel energy from the earth, bringing a sense of harmony and balance in their lives. Nature can help us realize the magnitude of the world and our place in it. Whether it’s the sea, the mountains, or the desert, we can find focus and calm just by spending time in nature.

Find serenity

• Commit to connecting with nature – be all in. Don’t just sit in a garden and expect a revelation. Clear your thoughts.
• Try this alone. Having people around you can be distracting, blocking your mind from focusing on yourself. In solitude, you’ll find tranquility.
• Find a place that you feel a connection to. Here are some places you can go to:
  • Al Fanater Corniche in Jubail.
  • Seafront in Khobar, near the new Water Tower.
  • Muraikabat Mountain Park in Dammam.
  • Sand dunes near Aziziah beach.
  • The Yellow Lake in Al Ahsa
• Feel the earth beneath you, breathe in the crisp, cool air, let the sun’s warmth soothe your skin.
• Relax and take note of everything in your vision, the beauty of life around you.

Look at the world around you, its beauty, its vastness. Finding this peace and beauty through nature will give you a fresh perspective on the way you live your life.