We all have moments (if not a few more lately than normal) where we found ourselves head-first down the tunnel of negative numb-out.
Either in a tumult of negative thoughts or lost in a feeling of numb where we can’t feel anything anymore. Sometimes pivoting between the two until we don’t know what way is up anymore. It can be exhausting.
Life can be overwhelming and events these days can be far from heartening. When we feel the most powerless - that is the time to tune in, listen, lift our game and focus. One by one we can uncurl our fingernails from the blanket over our heads and poke our eyes out from underneath the covers, stand up, shake and breathe.
Here are a few tips that keep me from diving back under the blankie……tried and true - these are my go-to’s for keeping my mental health thriving and my blood pumping.
1. Shaking - Clinically proven to have so many amazing health enhancing benefits - shaking is the real deal. It moves you and moving, moves the energy. But it’s also gentle enough you can do it anytime, anyplace - no yoga mat or lycra tights needed. A tried and true way of helping to release stuck energy and/or trauma in your body. Shake for 5 mins each day and then see if you can increase it. If you shake for at least 20mins it gives you the same benefits as if you went for a 20min run (clinically proven folks). If you need some help with shaking techniques check out my qi gong classes online - we always start with at least 10mins of shaking.
2. EFT Tapping - (Emotional Freedom Technique) wins the game every time - whenever I feel stuck in emotional drama (of any kind). I have used this technique with clients for many years and its always profoundly successful. Here is the link to the FREE EFT tapping app. https://www.thetappingsolution.com/blog/tapping-solution-app/
3. Mantra - interrupt those negative thoughts - not with shame and blame for thinking them in the first place - but with pure love - "ahum prema" is my favourite - it translates to “I am divine love” - you can’t really argue with that one - especially once you have said it to yourself for five minutes - put your timer on - five minutes - ahum prema - reprogram your brain!! You will be changed! Warning - sometimes this comes with side-effects of emotional states of bliss.
4. Gratitude - I practice everyday when I wake up - gratitude for the day - for anything I can think of - it’s an amazing way to wake up. Set your alarm 5 minutes early so you can lye in bed being grateful. My intern does this with her partner every night before they go to sleep - they talk about what they where grateful for that day - so beautiful. Imagine a world where children are brought up with a culture of gratitude.
5. Energy practice - Qi Gong - Wei chi is one of my favourite qi gong practices - it strengthens my immune system, helps me keep my boundaries clear and protects me from unwanted energy. I swear that if me and qi gong hadn’t met - my life would be very different - every time without fail, even if I feel like absolute sheetite - I get myself to qi gong and after practice - new woman - every time - EVERYTIME!! EVERYTIME!!! Come to class…make it a practice. It will change your life. Here is the link
6. Tea - I know - its a grandma thing - but grandma was right - everything is better after a cup of tea. Just try it! I have even expanded my practice into tea ceremony - just to pimp my cup of tea ride and its the perfect thing to do after qi gong practice. Here is a link to learn all about tea ceremony from my teacher - one of the best methinks. https://globalteahut.org/ and right now I am loving the Bohemia Tea blends - made in NZ https://bohemiatea.co/ Stay tuned for our very own tea ceremony coming up in early 2021 with Bohemia Tea. Cant wait!
7. Breathing - I truly advocate breathing - I say breathe everyday - as much as you can. Seems like a no brainer - but there are people who get to the end of the day and are not sure if they have breathed - I know - I was one of them. I had to consciously teach myself to breathe - deeply, fully, deliciously. Until THAT became my new normal. Check out BREATHE - yep that’s what its called because that’s what it helps you do. An online mini-workshop to help you BREATHE better.
8. Cacao ceremony - get yourself to a cacao ceremony - its a way to gently connect with other humans who are tuning in. Online or in person cacao ceremonies are everywhere and are a blissful way to meditate and BE with each other - with the added benefit of delicious medicinal hot chocolate. We have both online and in person ones at SOUL - come and tune in. Check out our ceremonies coming up here.
9. Seahorse - from the Shin yoga practice this easeful practice you can do by yourself helps to unwind the nervous system and come back to a place of balance. There is also a FREE audio class of Shin Yoga on this link - it has seahorse in it as well as a bunch of other delcioous practices to help you relax. It’s about an hour - turn the audio on - lye on the floor - listen and breathe.
I’ll do a video of just seahorse if anyone is interested - hit me up for it here
10. Take a nap - yep - rest. 20mins is all it takes but let yourself shut-eye. Turn off the noise and breathe in a nervous system re-set.
11. ok one more bonus one - Be gentle with yourself……..this is the most important one….one of my teachers Elena Brower says - "self-love is the only prayer - the only practice”, it helps me every time to remember - I’m doing my best, I’m human, I’m ok. So let's start practicing now. Self-love can be a little illusive for some - so start with this first - BE gentle with yourself. And if you need help in the self-love department - tune into the Vision sessions here - My last round for 2020 starts in early November - but there will be another round in 2021 in FEB.
If you have tried all these things and need help please connect with us - we’re here to help in anyway we can. Email here - do it now - don’t wait to ask for help, ask for it now - even if it feels hard, you’ve tried everything……..Just press this button below and say hi….
Namaste beautifuls
We all need a little help sometimes - I think someone wrote a song about it. It’s ok to ask for help. We are in this thing called life - together. I am here right now writing this with stitches in both legs - shit happens! Let’s learn to love each other and in turn to love ourselves.
Biggest loves
Willa