Many of us have had unforeseen stresses this year. With the holiday season around the corner, here’s how to keep yourself ready to handle whatever else this year has to throw your way.
Meditation
If you can spend 5 minutes on social media, you can spend 5 minutes closing your eyes and breathing! Meditation is a simple and effective way to help keep your calm. Research shows that even a few minutes a day can improve your stress response. Better yet, meditation also improves your sleep – and sleep is an important part of your immune and stress defenses. Read more about meditation and how to start here.
Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt consists of magnesium, which is known for relieving stress in the body. Epsom salt helps soothe the pain response areas of the brain and regulate hormone production, which eases aches and pains and relaxes the body and mind. Plus, it also improves sleep, strengthens your immune system, reduces inflammation, and so much more. Read about the benefits of epsom salt baths – plus how to get the most out of them – here.
Breathing
Breathe in the Prana (life energy).
There’s a reason we say “Take a deep breath” when someone is upset. Research says taking deep breaths calms the stress response in your body, reduces negative emotions, and improves attention – all things that are helpful when dealing with an errant child.
With strategic use of breathwork techniques people are able to manage asthma, lower blood pressure, improve metabolism, and even control the once believed uncontrollable autonomic nervous system. You can see a host of benefits listed here from the Wim Hof Method.
To get started try using a breath-based meditation for 5-10 minutes a day to assist you in keeping your cool or try one of these breathwork videos here.
To learn more amazing facts about breathing click here.
Grounding
Want to be more grounded? The best way is to literally connect with the ground. More and more science is emerging that shows reconnecting your body to the earth’s surface is beneficial for your health. The earth is like a battery that recharges us. Moreover, “grounding” (or earthing as it is also called) improves pain, sleep, inflammation and stress – and what parent doesn’t need those areas to get better? Although taking off your shoes and walking on the earth barefoot is the best way to connect with the earth’s surface electrons, there are also products that you can use to this end. I have been loving the amazing sleep I get with this grounding mat for our bed!
Getaway
Sand in between your toes, salty positive ions in your hair, vitamin D on your skin helping to boost your immune system… Aloha could be calling you.
Sometimes something to look forward to can lift our spirits! If you don’t feel it’s right for your family to take a getaway right now, why not plan one for the future? It gives you something to look forward to when times feel glum. Plus, when you’re on the beach, inhaling the ocean breeze, and feeling the sun warm your skin, what better way to flex your relaxation muscles?
If you’re looking for a warm getaway in a toxin free and healthy environment, we have really loved this sweet condo on the beach. (You can ask the property manager to use their Vitamix and Juicer if you want to make tropical smoothies while you are away from home without yours. It’s walking distance to the beach with a local fruit stand open 7 days a week – a fabulous place to recharge and get away).
Tools For Your Toolbox
You can’t avoid problems or stresses in life, but you can control how you respond to them! Using these tips can better arm your body, mind, and spirit for whatever else life decides to throw your way. I always wish for you to have joy and ease; but if you aren’t in one of those moments, it is my hope that one or many of these tools can help!
Ignite the healer within,
Amber
P.S. If you want to learn more in-depth methods to fortify your body against stress, I recommend the protocol in my online course Radical Healing: A Step-By-Step Guide to Reclaiming Your Vibrance.
