Inspiration for Prioritizing Wellness
It is the time of year when the energy of newness blows through like a strong breeze that we can not ignore. Some of us balk at setting new year resolutions, while others have their resolutions planned to the tee! No matter which of these best describes you, it would behoove us all to get aligned with this energy and use it to carve a new path.
First, I offer my condolences to anyone who has recently lost a loved one, a mate, a coworker, or friend to the pandemic disease. Grieving loss is like an endless walk in a deep dark forest. Please know that you are never truly alone and that there are others who have experienced loss too. Allow Time to do what it does best...heal wounds.
I remember when I lost my parents several years ago. The grief would not let up and I was afraid that I would never laugh or even smile again. True to my nature I leaned into the Plant Kingdom for support. I had enough wisdom to know that plant medicine could provide some refuge so that I could have moments of clarity. Each clear moment gave way to another and another, and over time, I did smile again and eventually laughter returned.
Whether it's because of the new year, grief, or neglect, allow me to offer up a few suggestions as to how you can take care and invite more wellness into your life on a daily basis.
Affirm: I intentionally welcome healing into my life.
Get sufficient rest
Since most of us have been homebound for the greater part of a year this one may seem redundant but it’s not. Not everyone is actually sleeping even though they are home most of the day. Sometimes vegging out on the sofa watching a movie or binge watching the latest series, eats into our precious rest. The night owls out there feel me.
You early birds that are up to meet the stillness of the morning need to remember to get to bed a little earlier since you are up before the Sun. We all know that 8 hrs is optimal. I have been known to hit a streak where I am only getting 7hrs, and it works for me. The key is, find what works for you. 6-8 hours a night seems reasonable depending on your work and lifestyle. Be mindful to be actually resting though. No phone, no laptop. Genuine rest and relaxation.
Let go of the stress
Zoom Zoom in ya boom boom! It is probable that no matter what you do to earn money, you have been on a Zoom call or a thousand in the last few months. I know I have! It is actually nice to be able to stay connected and stay productive. Video conferencing apps have really been a big help in keeping the connectivity alive. However...some of us are quite fatigued and maybe a little stressed. If you have children at home, you may be feeling this way more than others. It is imperative for our wellbeing that we find our thing. That thing that helps us relax and let go. For me it's my yoga practice. When I feel wound up or overactive I am able to pull back, take a moment, center myself, and meditate. That works for me. I suggest you give yoga and meditation a try if you do not have a regular practice already, but really, I want you to find your thing. When you do, it will be a haven for you in the storm. The goal is to spend more time in the parasympathetic nervous system rather than in the sympathetic NS. Three deep breaths at any given time can do wonders for reducing stress levels. Try it.
Stay hydrated
Drinking more water is very beneficial to the body. I am so grateful for water's ability to flush my system and regulate my chemical levels. When we don't take in enough water we become dehydrated which can have an adverse effect on the systems in our bodies. When we are dehydrated we can become irritable, and fatigued. Proper water intake is essential for proper nutrient absorption and so many other things. If you are used to consuming sugary drinks or beverages with “flavor” try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime into your water. You can infuse your water overnight with fresh fruits too. Just don't add sugar! Drinking tea is another way to get hydrated. Herbal teas offer an added benefit of supporting the body in other ways while the water content does its job.
Allow the green Elders to support you
The wonderful thing about plant medicine is that a single plant can affect us on different levels. Physically and emotionally. When you smell certain essential oils you immediately become more relaxed. Sometimes depending on the oil, we become energized. Adding essential oils to a diffuser is a great way to reap the benefits of the plant medicine. Dropping a couple drops into your hands and rubbing them together and taking a deep inhale of the oil on your palms is excellent for a bold dose of essential oil medicine. Knowing what you need emotionally and physically is a vital part of wellness. Choosing essential oils and herbs is wise and will serve you well. Of course, steeping herbs in hot water, straining, then pouring into your favorite tea cup is another way to consume them for wellness. Single herbs or herbal blends, whatever you feel that you need at any given time. If you would like to get more herbs in and you are not sure where to start, here is a link to our synergistic tea blends. The ingredients for each blend is listed on its product page so you can choose exactly which blend you need at this time.
There are so many more ways that we can take care of yourself now and forever. Maybe I will create a rapid fire list and post it. This way you can always come back to it for inspo when you need to elevate your wellness and self care practice. Until then, I hope that this will be a gentle reminder to step up and actively participate in your overall wellness.
Many blessings
