stress part #2: to build a beautiful life

It’s so easy to feel like we don’t have a choice in this battle against stress. Our worlds are so busy, there’s too much on our plates, we’re already not getting enough sleep as it is, and it’s easier to get the takeaway, there’s no space in the schedule for the gym, and really, how on earth can we spark joy in our lives when we have no spark left?

We are burnt out and we are paying the price.

Our hormones are suffering, our digestion is screaming at us, our brains are foggy and we have no energy to change any of it. So it seems.

But honestly, you have to take a second right now and read this: “Problems are not the problem; coping is the problem,” says clinical therapist Virginia Satir.

Phew. How is that for a lightening bolt of clarity?

Yes we’re busy. Yes we’re tired. Yes we’re fu%king done.

But the amazing news is that the path to healing begins with just one small step. One small step to coping just a little better. Right now, I’m burnt out from a full on year at uni - where I studied full time (most of my degree to date has been part-time), and had a baby in tow! Yep, Little Miss turned one year old the weekend I finished my last lecture and tutorial of the year! And I’ve not hidden the fact that things. fell. apart.

We lived on crappy takeaway, our finances are a mess as we juggled me not working much, studying more, and daycare fees on top of years of holy moly expensive IVF and pre + postnatal treatments and specialist, high-risk care. Our mental health has been hit hard with Covid and a new baby, because while she is the delight of our lives and our dream come true, parenthood is the hardest thing we’ve ever done. So yep, it’s been a ride. BUT, it’s also been amazing -> 'brutiful' as Elizabeth Gilbert coined.

And now, while babe is in daycare, and no one has gastro, or bacterial viral infections, or colds (what the hell is with daycare lurgies ALL THE TIME 🤦)… I’m making a big butt shaped dent on the couch. I’m binge-watching crappy Xmas romcoms on Netflix, and series of equally delicious crappy light hearted comedies. I’ve got a pile of books next to me, a dozen books I’ve picked up from the library and am reading a chapter of here and there. And it’s wonderful.

Step 2 of rebuilding is the home cooked dinners and food (ohhhh how I’ve missed consistent home cooking!) - but you know how we deal with stress? We do the best we can in the time, and then we rebuild. We fall apart, and then we rebuild from there. And when we have the energy, we build even stronger defences. But today, Step 1 is rest.

It’s not rocket science - certain habits promote resilience to stress, and building useful coping strategies are awesome, but so are the consistent habits of exercise and meditation. All in good time. Step by step. And we try to build a beautiful life in the moments when we can catch our breaths.

Have you been able to catch your breath today, dear ones?

SOURCES:

https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-reduce-stress-3145195

stress part #1: is your stress normal?

In student clinic over the last couple months, all of my clients seemed to have one thing in common: S T R E S S.

And not just any old stress; but intense, big energy, all consuming and overwhelming stress.

These women were all presenting with a range of symptoms from: anxiety, exhaustion, palpitations, sweating, weight gain, and insomnia, to bloating, digestive issues, constipation, dizziness and more. So... was their stress 'normal'? And more importantly, is YOUR stress normal? (Because, let's face it - it's a rare person nowadays that doesn't experience the dreaded stress mayhem!)

In simple terms, stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. So every single one of us experiences stress, and our body reacts physically, mentally and emotionally. Stress will come from our environment, our body, thoughts… and even good things (a new job, a baby!) will produce it.

So really, it’s important to understand that our bodies are designed to experience stress - and respond to it. Stress is what keeps us alert and motivated, it’s what helps us stay alive and grow! But the key for us in dealing with it, to get a little nerdy on you, is for the body’s autonomic nervous system to be allowed to rest and chill between stressors. You know, to get back to baseline. To release and find relief from that flood of chemical reactions that made you run for your life (to meet that deadline, to cross the road, to be aware of your surroundings).

So really, the question isn’t “is your stress normal?” but rather, “is your pattern or stress normal or chronic?” Because chronic and unrelenting stress is where the danger lies - when we have no relief, no respite, and our baseline keeps getting nudged further and further off centre.

Chronic stress (with no return to baseline) is going to mess up our body’s balance and lead to a host of problems -->

• headaches
• digestive issues (upset tummies and bloating)
• immune issues (are you getting sick a lot?)
• reproductive issues (periods being haywire, or painful)
• high blood pressure (your poor heart!)
• depression
• panic attacks
• anxiety

And in real terms, in real life people like you and I, this looks like dizziness, teeth grinding, indigestion, muscle tension, sleeping issues, exhaustion, weight gain or loss and more. Sounds familiar, right?

And research shows that stress is currently linked to 6 of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide. So what are we to do?

Part 2 coming up shortly xo

SOURCES:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11874-stress#:~:text=Stress%20is%20the%20body's%20reaction,your%20body%2C%20and%20your%20thoughts.

step back

Like any good curveball, we rarely see them coming. Those new chapters in life that make us catch our breath. Those periods when we feel like we’re spinning a little out of control.

Know what I’m talking about?

And it’s exactly these moments that make our yoga practice and our habits of self care seemingly fall apart.

My babe turned 1 year old this past weekend - and we had a beautiful birthday party for her (and a surprise wedding!) and as I look back on the year I gotta say, I am still in a little shock, and a bit breathless!

The best tip I can offer for these moments (or years!) of the world shifting? Step back.

Yes: step back. Be gentle. We are so used to fixing and pushing and doing. But really, there are seasons in life for rest -just as there are for creation.

Don’t overdo. Let the moment do it’s thing. Don’t rush to get your body back after baby (because you never lost it - you created a human, you wonder woman you!). Don’t rush to settle into a routine - let it unfold.

Don’t push too hard. Feeling uninspired in your work or your practice? We so quickly have the instinct to readjust and try something new, but at times, doing less and letting our practice shine or our work glide along is just what we need.

Just show up. I’ve talked a lot this past year about ‘pockets of practice’ and I’ve had so much positive feedback from you guys! It seems that hour long practices are NOT the norm for so many of you, juggling busy lives! And who would have thought, but hour long practices are NOT necessary - just showing up is. For 5 minutes. In your jeans. Sitting down to breathe. However it looks- pockets of practice can give you breath when you’re struggling, and inspire you when you need it. #someisbetterthannone .

7 days of self care: extra

EXTRA DAY:

It’s quite easy to associate acts of self care with little extravagances during the day, isn’t it? Or to just do a little 7 day challenge, like that covers it all off.

And this can be true, but more often than not, self care is a way of life: a daily practice of looking out for yourself and doing the next right thing, in order to have a sustainable, happy life.

In other words: Self care is work.

Self care for me means regular therapy, and being absolutely true and vulnerable in those sessions.

It means surrounding myself with good people, and with good habits. Cutting out toxic relationships, time killers, numbing hobbies (everything from social scrolling to sugar binging!).

Self care sometimes means saying no, and a lot of the time it means showing up - doing exercise for health, taking those supplements, and going to bed early (very rock n roll).

Self care is not selfish, and it’s not an extravagance, and heck, it’s not always easy. But if you want a happy life, it is vital.

Tell me: how did you go this past week, loves? . . .

#selfcare #meditationforanxiety #movementismedicine #selflove #selfcareiswork #slowyoga #acupuncture #chinesemedicine #togoslowistogofast #mentalhealthawareness #chronicillnesswarrior #livingwithanxiety #innerwestmums

7 days of self care: day 7

DAY 7: REST

There is a beautiful saying in the Chinese Medicine tradition that “to slow down is to go fast”; meaning, do something slow and steady, do it well, and you won’t need to redo it - thus actually taking less time overall to get through things. But unfortunately in this modern world, we have somehow been sold this fallacy that to be 'busy' is to be worthy. It’s the rubbish story that hustle is where it’s at, that doing more is efficient, useful, and powerful, and anything else is lazy. On top of that, we live in such a time where being busy is just normal, and it can be almost impossible for some of us to find a pocket of time to just BE.

But then why is it as we get more and more used to multi-tasking, rates of burn-out are zooming upwards? Why is it no surprise that stress is the most common issue we see in the TCM clinic week after week? Answer: because this constant busy busy busy behaviour isn’t doing us any favours.

So today, can we you simply sit and be for 5 minutes? Meditate. Micro nap. Daydream. Look at the clouds (or the ceiling). Just stop and exhale. Can we give our nervous system a break? Better still, can you wrangle a day of doing nothing? Take naps, eat lunch and stare out the window. Just go slow!

What ways can you slow down, dear ones? . . .

#selfcare #7daysofselfcare #burnout #multitasking #heartoverhustle #slowdown #mindfulness #slowliving #breathe #relax #meditation #bepresent #downtime #slowyoga #meditationforanxiety #donothing #burnout #goslowtogofast #chinesemedicine #acupunctureforanxiety #mentalhealth #anxiety

7 days of self care: day 6

DAY 6: EXPLORE

Today, we’re exploring.

Maybe just a new wander around the neighbourhood. Maybe a new cafe with a friend. Maybe a new recipe for dinner. Dive into a book and let your mind run free.

But something beyond our day to day habits - and then we’ll get to taste, see, smell and experience the new. Live a little bigger. Breathe a little lighter.

Who’s in? Tag your mate who can go exploring with you today xo

7 days of self care: day 5

DAY 5: PLAY

As we've said earlier, one of the main function’s of the Liver in TCM is ensuring the free flow of qi (energy) around the body. Yep - it’s all about freedom, movement, flow, ease, grace. And think of the times when we’re most likely NOT in this space - it’s when we’re stressed, juggling deadlines, adult-ing 🤣 you know the drill.

So today, let’s do the opposite!

Whenever I take my wee one to the park lately, I jump on the swings, and it’s been YEARS since I’ve swung and felt that breeze in my hair. Can you swing by a swing this week?

Or maybe drop by an off leash dog park in the evening dog-walking time and play with the puppers?

Go for a swim and do handstands in the water?

Whatever simple pleasures it might be, can we forget the responsibilities for a moment and just BE in the moment? Tuning in with the lightness of the seasonal energy around us will do wonders for that free flow internally and externally!