How are you faring through these extraordinary times? As you know I’m all about healthy Visioning practice and I suggest that we practice focusing on and give thanks for our healthy bodies every day, rather than all of the negative news and virus cell images. I thought I’d share some of the things that are sustaining me these days as we continue our protecting and adapting measures to contain the epidemic. Take what you like and leave the rest (or share with family and friends that are struggling with the sustained circumstances): * Daily spiritual practice – (whatever that is for you…) – Meditation, Chanting, Yoga, Qi Gong, Journaling, Pilates, Dance, Art, Crafts, Knitting. Always helpful to practice at the same time every day, to solidify healthy habits and to calm and relax body and mind. * Minimize watching and listening to the news – especially before bedtime. Stay informed in any way that feels necessary to you. Think about filling your consciousness with hope, beauty, fun, loved ones, pets, games, music. * Plan, shop on-line, cook and enjoy nourishing meals – Do your best to eat real food, drink lots of warm juicy water all day long (iced drinks chill your digestive system) and go light on alcohol and sweets. * Music videos & concerts – I am most heartened, nourished and filled with joy by enjoying so many of the wonderful concerts that are being posted by musicians all over the world. * Get quality sleep – Go to bed at the same time every night, get up at the same time every morning. Unplug from all media an hour before bedtime, including TV. practice progressive relaxation – breathing into your body from head to toes or toes to head – until you feel calm and ready for sleep. * Tapping (EFT) Practice – A bit of tapping every day to stay calm or any time you need to acknowledge and release uncertainty, anxiety, stress and overwhelm. My latest tapping fun has centered around conversations with my body for clarity and guidance. * Washing Hands & Physical Distancing – Please, please continue to be mindful to protect your family, friends and neighbors. I know this can be a drag and it’s working to contain and reduce the epidemic. Truly. * Gentle Re-entry into the World – At some point we will be back out in the world and resuming our shopping, schooling, working and socializing. Please continue to be mindful as we begin to move back into the world together. May we all continue to stay centered, calm,healthy and connected to one another. |
Category: Self-Care
Accessing & Trusting Your Body Wisdom
Asking For Guidance From a Body Part or Symptom
Stirring Up Dust & Stirring Up Memories
Physical & Emotional Impact of Pain
“Tapping is so effective at relieving chronic pain because it helps release unresolved emotions keeping the body in a stressed-out state. By tapping to remove the negative emotional charge from specific events and other past and current issues, the brain gets the message that it is safe to relax tense muscles and lessens nerve sensitivity. That’s when the body can heal itself – of chronic pain and other symptoms as well.”
Eric Robins, M.D. Expert in treating chronic pain
This quote from the introduction to our friend, Nick Ortner’s, book The Tapping Solution For Pain Relief inspires us to try this crazy tapping thing on everything, including chronic or even long standing pain.
Let’s face it, pain causes stress, stress causes tension, fatigue and plenty of emotional responses that wear us down and make our lives miserable.
I suffered with chronic pain to varying degrees and nothing has been more effective than EFT tapping in relieving pain. And I have had the great joy of sharing this healing practice with many, many people who have also had amazing results and relief.
Today I am encouraging you to be willing to try tapping, even though it’s weird, it may not work right away and you don’t believe me – try it any way!
Powerful Questions To Reduce Your Stress
Energizing Your Daily Practice
https://www.expandinglight.
Calming Down the Fight or Flight (or Flee) Response
This week I thought we might practice calming down the stress in our lives. There is plenty of scary stuff happening in our world and maybe not enough reminders to slow down, breathe deeply, move mindfully and ask for support. Ahhhh… Causes of Stress The flight or fight response in the body is an automatic function designed to help us survive when we are in danger. When every day experiences keep firing the stress response our immune system is impacted, which can lead to fatigue, insomnia, depression and illness. I believe that we always have a choice about how we respond to life. As we move into the fall and winter months, give yourself permission to slow down, nurture yourself with comforting activities and release anything that pulls you off of your center. Activating the Relaxation Response
- Mindfulness of your breath throughout the day
- Meditation, yoga, tai chi, qi gong practice
- Walking, swimming, biking or other exercises
- Asking for support from family and friends
- Tapping while focusing on stressful circumstances
Action: Choose one practice or activity that feels really good to you. Continue for several weeks and see how much calmer and rested you feel. Be patient and gentle with yourself. Ahhhh… Here’s a link to more information for those of you who are interested in the full scoop on this topic: http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response This article from Harvard Health also includes terrific information about how to calm the Fight or Flight response and activate the Relaxation Response. Yay!