Protecting Your Energy

And just like that: the year is almost over… December 21st marks Winter Solstice this year. It’s when yang energy is at its lowest and when yin energy is at its highest. These are the longest, darkest, and coolest days of the season, meaning extra hours of darkness to repair, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Winter is ruled by the water element and the emotion of fear. Water is the most nourishing element, and it is essential for life. Typically this time of year, we tend to feel over-worked and are sleep deprived. Since the water element stores our energy reserves, a lack of rest will deplete this element and the kidneys, winter’s yin organ. This is why protecting our energy and resting is so crucial in the winter… for empaths and HSP’s (Highly Sensitive People), it can be especially difficult to speak up or set boundaries.

What are some ways I can protect my energy this winter and holiday season?

• Imagine a beautiful, white bubble around you… Envision it protecting you from any low vibrations (people’s negative thoughts, actions, or beliefs). Do as needed.

• A technique to start (or end) your day with… When you’re in the shower, visualize the water as white crystalline energy cleansing your body, as well as your energetic body. Visualize the soap cleansing you of any energy that isn’t for your highest good. Then, visualize the soap (the negative energy) washing down the drain.

• Ground yourself… Visualize big tree roots at the bottom of your feet going all the way to the core of the earth, which is the center of the earth.  Being in nature will help ground you s well (being by the water, playing in the garden, sitting under a tree). Energy is all intent… Try just simply saying “Please ground me now. Thank you.”

• Set an intention for your day when you wake up in the morning…When you start off with positive intentions you are bringing in positive energy to start your day in a more meaningful way.

How can I stay present when experiencing irrational fears?

• Stop and breathe... Step back from the situation to allow your emotions to get out of your way. Ask yourself, “what is really happening?” When we get our emotions out of the way, we gain more clarity of the situation that we are fearing. Look at it from an observer’s point of view, then ask yourself if the fear you’re experiencing will matter in a year from now? What about six months from now? Or even a month from now?

  If the worst happens (which isn’t often), we must trust that we will somehow handle it. It’s the fear of not knowing how to handle things which amplifies this intense feeling. Look back at something you once feared… You most likely were able to handle it better than you ever thought you could.

I’m an empath or an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). How can I handle the heaviness of the world?

• Try a “shielding” visualization… Shielding is a quick way to protect yourself. Many empaths and sensitive people rely on it to block out toxic energy while allowing the free flow of positive energy. Begin by taking a few deep, long breaths. Then, visualize a beautiful shield of white or pink light completely surrounding your body and extending a few inches beyond it.

• Define and express your relationship needs… Knowing your needs and being able to assert them is a strong form of self-protection for empaths. Finding your voice is equivalent to finding your power – otherwise you may become exhausted, anxious, or feel like a doormat in relationships where your basic needs are unmet. Your partner isn’t a mind reader – speak up to safeguard your well-being.

• Prevent empathy overload… When you’re absorbing the stress or symptoms of others, it’s important to find an outlet to release the negative energy. Try inhaling lavender essential oil or put a few drops midway between your eyebrows (on your third eye) to calm yourself. When you can, spend time in nature. Balance your alone time with social time. Time management is key for empaths… Try not to plan too many things in one day. aIt’s ok to cancel plans when you get overloaded. This is a skill all empaths must learn so that you don’t feel obliged to go out if you are tired and need to rest.

• The “Jaguar Protection Meditation”… When you need extra protection, we recommend using this meditation to call on the power of the jaguar to protect you. The jaguar is a fierce and patient guard who can keep toxic energy and people away. This type of meditation is useful when there is too much negativity coming at you too quickly. Picture what the jaguar looks like: their fierce, loving eyes; their sleek body; the graceful, yet purposeful way the jaguar moves. Envision yourself feeling secure in the circle of the jaguar’s protection.

What is Pandemic Flux Syndrome?

Is it anxiety, depression, or Pandemic Flux Syndrome? Coined by social psychologist Amy Cuddy, PhD, Pandemic Flux Syndrome is a non-clinical way to describe the emotional impact the pandemic has had on our lives as we live in a space of constant unknowns.

Think: the shifts in news cycles, protocols, social obligations, work/life balance, and health regulations. As a result of the ebb and flow of these factors, the pandemic has brought a mix of grief and relief. We are exhausted, to say the least.

Because we don’t know when or if the pandemic will officially end, it makes it challenging for us to process the loss and grief of something that is still ongoing. It’s like living in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze (our responses to short-term crisis), and it affects how we live in the present and future. Our bodies weren’t meant to live in an emergency response for this long.

Most of us can relate to feeling off since the beginning of the pandemic, but it’s difficult to put into words what we are exactly feeling. Understanding how the pandemic has impacted our mental health can offer clarity around the last 18 months.

Here are some strategies that can help:

1. Slow down and re-evaluate what’s important to you. What is your first tendency when you’re uncomfortable? So often when we feel anxious, we look for the nearest exit. If you’re considering making a big life change, ask yourself if it’s a reaction to the anxiety or depression and what the intention is behind it. Practice facing these feelings vs. avoidance.

2. Accept and surrender. Changing your focus from “when will the pandemic end” to focusing on the things you can control will hopefully bring acceptance and a sense of surrender to the present. Even if we don’t like what is happening, accepting that the pandemic is unpredictable and recognizing that we will be living in a state of flux for quite some time can help us fight against reality.

3. Set boundaries and do more things you love. Try setting time limits when checking the news and social media. Ask yourself if these habits are truly making you feel better or if it’s upsetting you. When possible, make more space in your day for things that nourish you.

4. Seek help. You are not alone. If you need any type of support, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our professionals. For those suffering from anxiety, it’s typical to want to cope by instituting a major life change. For those suffering from depression, we might cope by retreating and disengaging with the rest of the world.

References:

Norman, Laura. “Shark Tank Judge Robert Herjavec’s Advice on Beating the Pandemic Flux.” Retrieved from https://www.salesforce.com/blog/pandemic-flux-shark-tank-robert-herjavec/.

Simon, Sarah. “Ask an Expert: What Is Pandemic Flux Syndrome?” Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/pandemic-flux-syndrome-5204881.

Understanding Your Body's Sleep-Wake Cycle

Most living things have a 24-hour body clock, and the body’s circadian rhythm is tied to it. When we sleep and when we wake up is regulated by our circadian rhythm. It is tightly linked to the rotation of the earth and gets reset every day by the sun’s light-dark cycle. Although we don’t have total control over our body’s circadian rhythm, there are a few things you can do to ensure a better night’s rest.

Dim the lights before bedtime

Your circadian rhythm is influenced by outside factors like light and dark. Dimming the lights helps signal to the body that it’s time to go to sleep. As the lights dim, our bodies start to naturally produce the sleep hormone, melatonin, which is secreted by the pineal gland in response to the darkness.

Reduce your exposure to blue light

Blue light shifts our sleep rhythm and tricks us into thinking we are still meant be awake. In addition to shifting our circadian rhythm, spending time on our devices can trigger the release of dopamine, the hormone that makes us happy… making it harder to put our phones down and fall asleep.

Wake up and fall asleep at the same time every day

Here’s looking at you weekend! Yes, even on the weekend. An inconsistent sleep schedule is confusing to your circadian rhythm. Getting up and going to bed at the same time each day helps us synchronize our biological clocks.

Expose yourself to bright light first thing in the morning

Sunlight creates increase alertness ,and it signals to our bodies that it’s time to get up . If sunlight isn’t available first thing when you wake up (like in the winter), turn the lights on bright.

Try a natural sleep aid

CBD:

• has a calming effect on the nervous system

• can alter mood because it affects the serotonin system

• reduces anxiety, which can contribute to poor sleep quality

Valerian:

• Helps manage anxiety + insomnia

Chamomile:

• An herbal remedy with a calming effect

• Helps you feel more prepared for sleep

Melatonin:

• Hormone produced by the pineal gland in the center of your brain and is responsible for regulating your body’s circadian rhythm

• Decreases the time it takes to fall asleep

Magnesium:

• Activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for getting you calm and relaxed

• Regulates the hormone melatonin, which manages your natural sleep cycle

***Always consult your doctor first before taking any supplements***

Don’t be too rigid

Nobody is perfect, but it’s important to use these tips as a guideline. If you want to identify your circadian rhythm, try observing your body’s natural wake time by not using an alarm for a few days or even a week.

References:

“How to Wake Up For Non-Morning People.” Retrieved from https://www.headspace.com/sleep/how-to-wake-up-for-non-morning-people.

“Circadian Rhythms and Circadian Clock.” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/longhourstraining/clock.html.