I like words. I like describing things that I feel, because I think that you might feel them, too. Since we are all connected. Somehow.
But sometimes I cannot put my feelings into words for I'd rather not feel. Too much. Too heavy. Too horrible.
The pain of the world weighs heavily and maybe you notice it as well. Maybe you also try to escape it, like I do. Maybe you'd also rather shut your eyes. But probably you also know that it isn't the solution. Yes, we need to know what is happening around us. Yes, we need to commiserate and yes, we need to take action. Nonetheless are we allowed to - I would even say: do we need to - look after ourselves. Especially during hard times, in which we undoubtedly live, it is of utter importance to feel lightness, to laugh or to connect to earth every now and again in order to literally not loose touch with our ground. Because if we burn out, we can't be of service to others.
I must admit that I mainly have one strategy at the moment: I try to escape everything. My highly sensitive soul cannot bear to see another picture of refugees, of animals that had to be left behind, of flooded landscapes and so on. I'm not doing the work. When actually I would like to take action and to be of service even if it's "only" in my small world. But oftentimes I lack energy and that's why I would like to share some exercises and tools with you - and me =) - to help us contain our energy during these challenging times, so that we are able to keep our eyes and ears open.
Gratitude
Returning to gratitude has become very important to me, because it changes everything. You will always find something to be grateful for, believe me. Perhaps it's the sun that shone today; your body that is healthy and strong; your access to clean drinking water...
You might set aside some time in the morning right after waking up or in the evening before going to bed to find all the things you are grateful for in this moment. This exercise can also be done in writing.
Practicing gratitude for all that you have isn't selfish and it also doesn't mean that you don't feel the pain, but that you become aware of the things in your life that are good and that you appreciate them.
Dancing
Moving your body instantly brings you back to the present moment. It's easiest for me when I put on good music and start dancing, wildly. It's absolutely not about making up a beautiful choreography or about memorizing dance steps, but to let your body move in an intuitive way. Feel how your body wants to move with, or also against, the rhythm of the music, close your eyes and let it guide you. Not having to think, for it to not be beautiful or perfect, but just being in this flow for a moment, feels so good.
Here you'll find my Spotify-Playlist I use for my free dance sessions:
Grounding
As always is one of my tools nature. Even a mindful walk is soothing for the soul. If you have a bit more time, I encourage you to find a spot, where you feel comfortable. Take a seat, preferably on the ground or leaning against a tree, and close your eyes for a moment. Guide your attention now to the parts of your body that are in touch with the ground and imagine that you are growing roots reaching deep into the earth. Feel the connection to earth and the stability it gives you.
By the way: spending time in the forest isn't just nice, it also reduces stress and anxiety. We inhale the terpenes, biological messengers the trees use to communicate with each other, which have a calming effect on our nervous system.
A meditation
Perhaps you'd like to take it a step further. Take the prior exercise as a starting point and as soon as you are connected to the earth, imagine that with every exhale you let go of all that is no longer serving you. Imagine you could divert everything that weighs heavily on your heart through your roots into the earth. Mother Earth takes all your burdens, she is here for you. Always. With every inhale you receive positivity and lightness over your roots. You're breathing in everything you need in this moment.
Exhaling is letting go. Inhaling is receiving.
Laughing
Sometimes you just need to escape everything, shutting it out and laugh, which is also soothing for a stressed nervous system. I'm a huge fan of series and it helps me to ingest trivial content from time to time, so that I don't have to feel this weight all the time, because I'm basically an energetic sponge.
That's why I like watching funny series, at the moment that's "the office". But I can also recommend "Ted Lasso", "Sex education", "Atypical" or "Dickinson". =)
Last but not least I would like to say: Please be kind to yourself! It's ok, if you're not always active, if you don't check the news daily and you just want to have a nice day without reading terrible stories. Look after yourself and find a way that suits you to do "the work".
All the love,
Silvana
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