Breathe. In, Now out. Focus on your breath as you take the air in through your nose, fill your lungs and breathe out again feeling the air escape. Feeling calm? Relaxed? Okay now shop.
Sometimes I feel like I need this little breathing mantra before I take on the supermarket. Huge shopping complexes are prone to making me jumpy and a little claustrophobic. All that lighting and aisles and plastic and products! But the family have to eat and they insist on wearing clothes and having STUFF and I am the one that has provide this.
There is a growing alternative to the breathing exercises in the car park (trust me it’s not an ideal place to practice mindfulness). Thinking about your shopping and making conscious decisions to buy in a more meaningful way then the traditional supermarket dash, can actually improve your lifestyle. And some of these tips are even easier than focussing on your breathing. Have a look at these suggestions brought to you by The Organic Expo & Green Show
1. Buy and eat whole foods. The less ingredients in a food the better it is for you as a general rule
2. Use products that are not tested on animals. It is better for the animals and for your karma
3. Buy fair trade coffee and chocolates. While enjoying these luxuries you can ensure that the people growing the cocoa and the beans are not enslaved. You’re also actively encouraging democratic stability in the countries where these products are grown which is pretty special
4. Use skin care products that are allergy free and don’t contain chemicals or harsh additives – your skin will thank you by breathing easier
5. Buy your fruit and vegetable in season. No air miles, no refrigeration – just nutritious food the way it was meant to be eaten
