Bring It: P90X Day 39

Bring It is a documentation of my own personal journey with the P90X DVD series created by Tony Horton. This is an extreme workout and shouldn't be tempted by anybody who is weak, physically or mentally, unless of course you are stubborn - like me! I bought this workout program more than a year ago. Until recently, it was collecting dust. That was when I decided to make a change. It was time I got my money's worth for this program. Since the start, I have had more energy, felt stronger, and have become more flexible.

If you would like to start from the beginning of this series, please click here. If you want to read about my previous day with P90X, click here.

Feel free to leave your comments below. I would love to hear your own personal stories and advice. Together we can make a positive change in our lives.

Today was a beautiful day for yoga. I was up before the sun even greeted me, and because it made no sense to go back to bed, I figured I might as well get the yoga out of the way. So that is what I did. And for the first time... ever... my head was completely clear.

Normally when I am struggling through yoga, my mind seems to be racing with a million thoughts: the day's To Do list, what's for super, what bills need to be paid, whether I forget to do something, what am I going to write on hub, sometimes random poetry that I never remember when I have paper. It is a whirlwind up there and if you plan on coming in you might want to hold on tight. It's mine and I have a hard time grasping everything going on up there.

So today, as I was in Warrior (throughout all the poses) and moving on to Royal Dancer, I realized there was nothing floating around up there. (Yes, I am fully aware this is the perfect time to insert bad joke!) I wasn't thinking about what I needed to do and I wasn't thinking about what I was going to write (which could be one of the very reasons this is coming out later in the day). It was just me and my breathing.

Clearing your head, whether in yoga or meditation, is a very difficult thing. As humans, we always have something we are thinking about. For me, I have always been able to relax and push my thoughts aside, but not as completely as I did today. However, I did only get 3 hours of sleep so maybe I was just sleeping through my workout.

You know the feeling. There is so many thoughts racing for front seat that none of them can even be understood. It's frustrating, it can be stressful, and it definately lowers your productivity levels. (Well, at least they do for me!)

So, if you want to know ways to effectively clear your head, try a few of these tips.

• Write - I know this is going to sound weird, but if you can't write because you have too many thoughts going through your head, the only way to clear your head is to write. Now I am not suggesting you go out and write the next Best Selling Novel. However, write in a journal. It doesn't have to be anything anybody else reads, it just has to be something to get your thoughts down.
• Go for a Walk - Nothing can clear the head more than getting intune with nature. When people want to clear their head and go think, they often say they are going for a walk. Well, if they are doing it, why can't you. It must be doing some good if so many others do it. As an added bonus, you will also be getting some additional exercise.
• Doodle - We are not talking about making masterpieces here. Do you remember when you were in class, the teacher was boring you, and you really didn't feel like being there? Well, if you come across any of your old school notebooks or agendas, chances are good they will be filled with doodles. Why, because it is mindless and allows you not to think of anything else.
• Talk it out - Ok, so if someone watched me do housework they would probably think I am crazy. Why, because this is when I clear my head. I do it by talking to myself. I will suggest ideas, I will explore the ideas and as soon as I am done scrubbing, my head is completely clear. You can also talk it out with a friend or a loved one. You might also get less looks if you talk to someone other than yourself.
• Take deep breaths - This is probably one of the most effective ways to clear your head, and you will often notice it being done in Yoga and Meditation. The key is with each breath you exhale your thoughts and problems further away. At least that is what I do. It is all about bringing down your heartbeat, getting relaxed and losing yourself in the breath.

Clearing your head will be difficult to start off with, but as with anything, practice makes perfect. Before you know it, you will be so good at clearing your head, you will just be able to demand the peace and quiet. Good luck!

If you want to read about Day 40, click here.