As someone who has always felt a little too empathetic, the past couple of weeks have caused me to be hyper aware of the world's current emotions and it has been hard.
If you are feeling this weight, a sense of ungrounding, or like you need to compulsively buy toilet paper - this blog is for you.
In this blog, I'll talk about remedies and practices to help ground yourself in crisis. Read on and try to incorporate at least one into your daily life!
1. Progressive Relaxation
This hypnosis is one I've used to ground myself and bring myself a little moment of peace when my mind is feeling overwhelmed. It is a progressive body relaxation with a little escape to your own happy place - much like a guided meditation. Put on your comfy pants, grab a blanket and click here for the free 18-minute relaxation.
Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness that involves focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and an increased responsiveness to suggestion.
You enter hypnosis (or trance) every day: when you arrive home and forget how you got there, when you become entrenched in a TV show, when meditating, or when you listen to a boring speech and "zone out". If you're new to hypnosis or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out!
Please do not listen to this recording while driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery. This recording is intended for personal use only and at the users discretion with the intention of relaxation. This recording is in no way a replacement for any prescribed medication; nor is it intended to contraindicate or supersede any medically diagnosed conditions.
2. Homeopathy
Homeopathy supports mental health beautifully. Here are 3 remedies I'm using right now:
Ignatia - for grief
What it looks like: sighing, silence, a hard front, crying, lump in the throat, disappointment.
Who needs it: anyone responding to with a sense of loss or who has experienced a loss (having to close a business, lay-off employees, death of a loved one).
Aconite - for fright and shock
What it looks like: panic, fear of death, fright out of proportion to the event, illness from fright (colds), panic attacks, palpitations.
Who needs it: people greatly affected by seeing/hearing an accident (the news), anyone responding with great fright and shock, or who have developed a cold after a fright.
Arsenicum Album - for loss of control, fear of.
What it looks like: burning pains, diarrhea, anger, obsessive behaviours, a need to hoard (they desire security through order and owning), great fear of death and of health.
Who needs it: probably most people right now, but especially people who are feeling the need to control and do something.
Take two pellets as needed for symptoms. If you aren't finding relief, contact me for an appointment or talk to your homeopath - there are many remedies for this time!
3. Reflection
A number of journal prompts are out there to help support your growth and reflection in this time. Remember, there is always opportunity in illness (and yes, acute fear counts!). Here's some journal prompts I love:
List "PLAY, WORK, HEALTH, AND LOVE" on a page and give each a little thermometer. Assess how full each area was for the day/week you're reflecting on, then write a few sentences on why that was. Reflect back and see what you need more of: how can we bring more balance? How can I make next week better? What do I need more of? Less of? (and remember, work isn't just what you're paid for!)
The Holistic Psychologists Future Self Journal truly helps make change in life - this is a daily prompt. I have done it on and off for over a year now and am always amazed at how it shifts my thinking.
Gratitude can change everything. While you can do the old "3 things you're grateful for", Marie Forleo highlighted a study that showed writing five things about one thing you're grateful for brought more benefits than just listing three things. It's all in the details, baby!
My hope for you is that one of these suggestions bring you back to where you want to be. Try putting at least one in place each day while you're in distancing mode - and in this time of social isolation don't forget to continue to connect, care, and breeeeeeathe!
We're all in this together.
With love,
Paula
