She had been going through a stressful time in her life and each time she came in I worked to calm her central nervous system, but today was different.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that her body was relaxed, so I asked,“What did you do differently this week? Whatever you did, please keep doing it! It’s helping your body stay calm!”
She replied, “It must be the movies. I saw five this week.” She had decided to see all the movies nominated this year before the Golden Globes, and she was movie-cramming to get them all in before the awards show.
Intrigued, I began researching the effects of movies on my own body and psyche. What I found surprised me and made total sense.
Ever felt relieved and more relaxed after having a good cry?
My husband and I both had good cries at the end of Goodbye Christopher Robin. It got us present to the power of the childhood spirit, and I have been consciously playing with my pup more to bring more play into my life as a result.
I realized, I hadn’t seen my husband cry or cried myself in a long time. Movies permit us to feel our feelings. In our society today, there is little or no time to process our emotions. When you are touched to tears in a movie, you are often releasing unexpressed emotions from your own life. A good cry can feel like such a relief. Letting go of feelings that have been pent up in your body and psyche can be healing and freeing. Feeling the love or joy of characters in movies can also get you more present to the joy you have in your own life.
Ever find that you have trouble turning your brain off and just relaxing?
Getting immersed in the alternate reality of a movie can give your mind and body a much-needed break from focusing and planning or stressing and obsessing about your own life.
Seeing The Phantom Thread did that for me. The people I interviewed either loved it or hated it. I loved it, because the scenery, acting, costumes, and even the sound energetically put me inside the movie. I was able to feel, see and to hear how the main character experienced life. Daniel Day-Lewis brilliantly plays a fashion designer who is a true artist, obsessed with perfection, who had dedicated his life to his craft. Without giving anything away, something happens, which some may find disturbing. Yet having felt his energy, I saw it as a relief. To me, it was an interesting study on control, freedom and the ability to receive. It got me really thinking and my creative juices flowing. Taking a break like this can often help us solve problems because it forces our brain to work a different way and can help us gain new perspectives.
Lately, I have felt like I really need the break too! How about you? Feeling like it’s harder to get motivated lately?
It’s not us; it’s the season.
And, it might be more effective right now to take a break and to watch a movie. Chinese Medicine teaches to live in harmony with the seasons. Winter is cold and dark, qualities that preserve and store energy. Chinese Medicine suggests we follow nature’s lead at this time of year and take time to rest, stay warm inside, maybe hibernate while binge-watching a great series or batch of movies. Even if you are in a warmer climate, the beginning portion of the year is meant for rest and rejuvenation. All of nature takes this time. And, refilling your energy stores now, can help you be more effective when Spring energy supports germination and growth!
Watching a new, FABULOUS, series called The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel at night before bed, and while holding some calming points I am about to show you, it really refilled my energy stores and inspired me! It’s a TV show on Amazon that is movie quality, super colorful and fun! And, Mrs. Maisel IS Marvelous! Her energy is contagious. My husband and I watched the entire season over two weeks, and I missed her when it was over.
I have now substituted Fixer Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines for a before bedtime show of choice and continued to hold the same calming acupressure points, which I highly recommend that you incorporate into your bedtime ritual, as holding these can relax your body so that you can get a more restful night’s sleep. You can feel your body just let go and sink deeper into your bed as you do it.
It’s pretty awesome and super easy to do.
Enjoy it and your movies!
PS: And, let your gut guide your movie and show choices. Watch the trailers, and see if you feel drawn. Your choices are the best for you 😉
