Simple Pleasures to Overcome Stress
Wow! It has been quite a ride the last few months energetically, emotionally, and financially for so many people. It is easy to get caught up in the cycles of stress during times of change. So here are a few simple treats to remind yourself that this too shall pass!
Aromatherapy: I’m really into rose and lavendar these days. I was reading a passage from Romancing the Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach and she talked about using essential oils to scent your sheets and pillows. Inspired, I dug out my essential oils and came up with a combination of rose and lavendar that I love! I’ve been scenting my room and even added a few drops to my pendant (Angel Healing Crystals). I love having the gentle scent of roses and lavendar with me all day long. I also picked up two new soaps from Savannah Moon. Sticking with my rose theme, I opened up the new bar last night. Heaven! See if you can find a scent that really speaks to you and try using it in your car, your home, your shower, and your workplace. You’ll be amazed at how much it helps lift your mood!
Music: I’ve been back on an Enya kick. I just love her music! So inspiring and uplifting. What songs lift your soul? Go back through your CD/I Tunes collection and find an old favorite to listen to. Let the soothing sounds lift your heart and restore your equilibrium! Another idea…a friend of mine turned on a CD of bird sounds and was finally able to relax enough for a much needed nap. Find what calls to you and listen!
Exercise: Stress makes you feel tired which then makes it hard to exercise. I’ve been forcing myself to get on the ellyptical and to take my daily walk, even though I’ve been so tired that all I want to do is nap! I also did a Tai Chi routine this morning. Ahh… Amazing how tai chi, yoga, and regular exercise can restore my energy! Adrenaline is produced when we are under stress and the two ways to remove it are exercise and slow, deep breathing. Try them both today and see how you feel!
Food: I’m not usually into cooking but lately I’ve been finding myself drawn to making some new dishes and some favorite old ones (probably the mystery I’m reading about a caterer!). I pulled out a favorite book called Kitchen Pharmacy: A Book of Healing Remedies for Everyone by Rose Elliot and Carlo De Paoli which tells the healing benefits of different types of foods with recipes. I tried out a recipe for Celery, Carrot and Apple salad (carrots, apples, celery, and fresh mint with a lemon/honey dressing). It was so refreshing! See if any particular food is calling to you and treat yourself! You deserve it!
Fun: What do you love to do? I love art/craft shows. I went to the Yankee Peddler festival last week and I’m going to Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron, Ohio this weekend. I love looking at the amazing wood carvings, pottery, and other crafts. Eating all the delicious food is fun too! Find something that you really enjoy and do it! You’ll be glad you did!
Have a blissful day everyone!
Nancy
Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who works with clients who are feeling powerless because of a relationship, health situation, job, family matter, or other concern. She offers Empowerment Readings which combine Divine guidance with practical coaching tips to help her clients make the necessary changes to move into a better situation. Readings are available by phone or email. Economic Recession Rates are $15/15 minutes. Visit my website to learn more and to get your free Divine Purpose Survey! www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.
Tips For When You Feel Powerless
Everyone seems to have an area where they feel powerless in their life. It may be a relationship, a health challenge, or a job. Sometimes it is just life circumstances that are beyond our control. The question is what do you do to find your power?
I asked for a vision on this topic the other day. I saw a beach with strong waves smashing on the shore. The waves would crash hard on the sand and then pull back. Within the wave I saw a small fragment of the shell. I watched as it was pounded by the waves and dragged back and forth. I saw an image of the shell as it had been when it was whole. Then, it had provided a home for a creature and was perfect for what was needed. Now, it was no longer functional and the beating of the waves was slowly pulverizing it into sand.
The message was that the situations where we feel powerless bring forth opportunities for transformation. Often, some well worn pattern in our personality or experience is continuing to be followed even though it has outgrown its usefulness. The waves represent the challenges which push us to change so that we can create new approaches that fit our life now.
I thought about how it would feel to be that shell. I can imagine the power of the water forcing me down into the sand and pulling me out into the ocean, only to toss me back up onto the same shore. There is pain in the experience, both in the forcefulness of the challenge and in the need to let an aspect of one transform. For me, there is also the message about how to allow this transformation to occur the most easily. If the shell resists the pull of the ocean and fights against the change that is occurring, the pain increases. If it accepts there is wisdom in the cycle that is occurring and allows it to pull and push it into a new form, there is at least peace within.
Putting this into the terms of one’s life, this means to me that we accept that the challenging things we face in life exist, at least in part, to help us to grow. Part of that growth is in learning to trust. For me, that trust means looking to God and to myself, instead of those around me, to bring me what I need. It means trusting that even though change is hard, it always brings new joys and new opportunities.
Below are some simple steps to help you the next time you feel powerless.
1. Come back to yourself. What do you need right now to relieve the stress you are experiencing? Would it help to take a walk? Talk to a friend? Exercise? Have a cup of tea? Take care of yourself as you would a child. How can you comfort and nurture yourself?
2. Turn it over. Once you feel calmer, it is time to turn the problem over to a higher power. I believe and have experienced that the Divine does and always will provide for all my needs. Stop and send a quick prayer for assistance with the situation that is challenging you. We usually know what we’d like to see happen, but sometimes it helps to just leave it open. Ask to have your needs met on all levels. Ask to love your life, your relationships, and your work. Trust that it will be so.
3. Turn your attention to something else. I know it is hard to let go of something that is bothering us. We want the situation to be resolved and we want it to be resolved quickly. Sometimes though there is nothing for us to do except to take care of ourselves, and find something else to focus on. Look for something you enjoy doing or something that will really grab your interest. Do you have a hobby you enjoy? What about a work project that is absorbing or even a good book? Pick something and turn your focus to it, even if you have to keep dragging your attention back there when your mind wanders back to the problem.
4. Have faith. Sometimes the transformations we need to go through happen quickly and other times they take a little longer. Keep yourself in the moment. Pray for guidance and grace. It may take some time, but the shell will eventually become sand and the challenging time will be over. Find as much joy as you can in the other areas of your life during the process.
As always, if you need some support through the process, give me a call!
Blessings to you and yours,
Nancy
Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who works with clients who are feeling powerless because of a relationship, health situation, job, family matter, or other concern. She offers Empowerment Readings which combine Divine guidance with practical coaching tips to help her clients make the necessary changes to move into a better situation. Readings are available by phone or email. Economic Recession Rates are $15/15 minutes. Visit my website to learn more or call (330) 416-6184: http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com/Readings.html
Peace of MIND, Tips to Quiet the Mind and Relieve Stress
Have you ever felt like your brain will not be quiet? I’ve had a real struggle with this for a lot of my life. Whether my mind is obsessed with worries or involved in creative brainstorming, sometimes it will not leave me alone! While I get a real high when my brain starts off on a creative spiral, I’m not so crazy about the nervous system overload that comes with it. Anxiety and sleeplessness get old very fast. Over the last few years, I’ve done a much better job of stopping myself before I get caught in a mental frenzy of activity. Today, I have a confession to make…I fell off the wagon.
Thankfully, Spirit intervened, bringing me a vision to get me back on track. As I’ve talked to many others who have been suffering with the same problem, I thought I should share what I learned.
So here’s my vision…The first thing I saw was a nest of sea turtle eggs. I watched as they all hatched and these adorable, tiny turtles started making their way to the ocean. I felt this wonderful elation followed by panic. How could I possibly get all these wonderful creatures to the ocean safely?
The message was that I couldn’t. The reality is that only a few sea turtle hatchlings actually live to become full grown sea turtles. The same is true for my ”brilliant” ideas. Only a few of those ideas are meant to manifest right now and I’ll have plenty of time to nurture them to fruition (at least I will if I stop running frantically around the beach trying to scoop up baby turtles!).
In case you’ve found yourself with an unending to do list and a brain that won’t turn off, I thought I’d post a few tips to bring back your peace of mind. Give them a try!
TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR LIFE WITHOUT ANXIETY AND STRESS
Pay attention to your body. The best defense to help yourself avoid moving into a stressed out, anxious state of being, is to notice how your body feels. Get in the habit of regular check ins. Ask yourself: How does my stomach feel? How about my muscles? Is my jaw tense? If you are feeling any discomfort, then take a deep breath and work on relaxing your muscles. Make yourself set aside what you are working on until your body returns to a more relaxed state. Believe me, it is worth the time.
Turn off your work mind by 7PM. It is really important to get a good night sleep. One of the keys to sleeping well is to avoid giving your mind lots of juicy things to think about right before you are telling it to shut down for the night. Make a firm cut off time (at least a couple hours before you go to sleep) to drop any serious topics or work items and stick to it. Do something relaxing before you fall asleep. I find it helpful to visualize all the stresses of the day washing off me in a gentle lake or at the beach. Pick something that is soothing to you and make it part of your nighttime ritual.
Exercise. I’ve never been a very gung ho exerciser, but a couple of years of living with anxiety completely changed my opinion about its importance. The bottom line is that exercising reduces stress hormones. A walk outside. Time on an exercise machine. Yoga. Playing a sport. All of these things help to get you out of your head and into a more relaxed and comfortable body.
Yoga Mudras. I think Sabrina Mesko should hire me to handle her publicity. Honestly, I am a HUGE fan of yoga mudras and I own all of Sabrina’s products (check out my Amazon store in the blogroll if you’d like to get your own copies). Her three minute hand postures are amazingly powerful. They really do help to shift the energy, calm the body and the mind, and bring you to a peaceful state of being. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Listen to Relaxation CD’s and/or peaceful music. I escaped my two years of anxiety Hell through the wonders of a technique called nervous system settling. When I finally understood that what was happening was simply nervous system overload and my constant mental gymnastics to bring it under control were actually increasing my anxiety, I had what I needed to end the cycle. I learned about this technique from Gary Peterson, an author and nervous system expert. He has a great CD to help you settle your nervous system. You can purchase it at http://www.Energiabooks.com or learn more about it on his website: http://www.StarInstitute.us. Besides his CD, I find relaxing music to be very helpful to soothe my overactive mind. Enya is a favorite artist of mine. Find something you enjoy and put it on the next time you find yourself overthinking.
Get some help. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone objective to get things back in perspective. Talk with a good friend, a counselor, or make an appointment with me! As I’ve explained, I’ve had lots of practice with this, not only with myself but with many clients. To purchase a life coaching reading, visit my website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers.com.
Here’s to peace of mind for us all!
Nancy
Nancy Nicholas is an Intuitive Life Coach who empowers her clients to overcome feelings of powerlessness and to make changes to create a life they love. To learn more about her services and products, visit her website: http://www.EmpoweringLightworkers. Nancy is also the owner Sanctuary at the Crossroads and Crossroads Coaching.
What If…Tips to Overcome Your Fears
I’m sure you’ve all been hearing the news lately. The talk of rising gas and food prices is making even those in stable financial situations feel jittery. Many of the clients I’ve worked with are struggling to make ends meet and worried about what is going to happen if their business doesn’t pick up. “What if” is a common thought for many people these days.
Since I am the Queen of “What if,” I’ve had to develop some effective coping techniques. After all, getting my sympathetic nervous system over-aroused which floods my body with stress hormones doesn’t lead to very effective problem solving! Here are a few tips to help you if you are feeling the strain:
1. Ask yourself if your worrisome thought is true: I love the method that Byron Katie recommends in her books. She says to ask yourself the following questions:
Is it true?
Can I absolutely know that it’s true?
How do I react when I think this thought?
Who or what would I be without the thought?
Then, turn the thought around, and find three genuine examples of how each turnaround is as true as or truer than the original statement.
This process can help you get a clearer picture of your true situation, so that you aren’t reacting to “what ifs” but are dealing with what is actually happening in the moment.
2. Be practical: Are you truly short on cash? Then come up with a two part plan to get yourself in a better situation.
Part One: Reduce your expenses by taking a hard look at exactly where your money is going and then deciding what is essential and what you can live without for right now. Some areas where you might be able to cut back are: cable TV, eating out, beauty salon, cell phone extras (internet, texting), entertainment expenses, or groceries. If you look carefully, you’ll probably be able to find one or two areas where you can “trim the fat.”
Part Two: Increase your income. Look around for a part-time job or if you are self-employed explore options for offering your services at more affordable prices by creating products or group options. Your clients are also feeling the strain of rising costs, so find a way to offer them your valuable service at a less expensive rate, while still meeting your own financial obligations.
3. Count your blessings: Keep a running log of all the things that you do have. Don’t forget to include your health. Remember, keeping self-care on the top of your list is essential for dealing with challenging times. After all, when you don’t feel well, you really aren’t able to handle problems effectively. If you need some help with this, check out my 4 Week to a Self-Care Lifestyle Workbook now available at my websites (Cost: $14.50): http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com/Coaching_Products.html
4. Manage Stress: When you find yourself obsessing over your worries, use the SOS for Stress Meditation to help yourself return to a state of peace. By turning your attention back to your body, you will calm your thoughts so that you can deal with things more effectively. The simplified version of this meditation is four steps: STOP whatever you are doing or thinking about, BREATHE in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, out for a count of 6 through the mouth, and hold for 4, RELAX your muscles beginning at your feet and moving up to the top of your head, and LET GO with each exhale all of your fears while imagining your guardian angels clearing your whole system of stress. To purchase the download audio version (MP3) of this meditation along with two reference guides for this technique, visit this link: http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com/Coaching_Products.html
5. Have Faith: Have faith, not only in a higher power, but also in yourself. You have the tools you need to take care of yourself. You will be your own best friend and make sure your needs are met. You can do it! I find the following affirmation helpful with this: “I have absolute faith in myself and I have absolute faith in God. I am safe and all is well.”
Hang in there! Things will get better (and are probably much better than you think!). If you need some one on one coaching help, send me an email or call for a free consultation to learn more about how my coaching services can support you: Nancy@crossroadscoachingonline.com or (330) 416-6184 or join me for this month’s group coaching call on 5/21/2008 (no technological expertise necessary…you just need a phone!). The cost is $15 or free for members of the Empowering Lightworkers e-club. To register, send me an email.
Have a great day!
