Feeling the pull to stay in and do less?
Or maybe you have been sick because your body has already demanded you slow down?
I am giving you permission to follow your body’s instincts and to give in to rest.
It’s the best thing for your health and happiness right now.
Most of you are super productive people, who thrive on getting things done. I admire you for that.
And, it may be more productive right now to take a break.
The energies of both the winter season, the full moon, and planetary alignments are urging you to rest.
In winter, Chinese Medicine doctors recommend you sleep more, eat and drink warm, nourishing foods, and expose yourself to inspiring art or books–to restore your body’s energy reserves and to re-inspire your spirit.
It’s actually healthier and will give your body and psyche what it needs to more easily manifest what you want in the Spring and Summer if you give yourself a break and catch up on self-care.
With the energy of the Cancer Full Moon tonight, we may “crave more comfort at this time or find ourselves leaning into all that is truly important to us. Cancer energy has the ability to expand our heart center, reminding us to love and nurture not just others, but also ourselves. (ForeverConscious)
As the new year begins, instead of pushing yourself to try to achieve what you think you should do right now, can you instead give yourself time and space to ponder and enjoy what nourishes you?
What restores you?
What fills your heart?
What inspires you?
The healthiest people in the world follow this prescription and honor it with national pride.
Denmark frequently tops lists of the happiest countries in the world…..Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah, like a football cheer in a Scandinavian accent) is the Danish word for cozy. It is also a national manifesto, nay, an obsession expressed in the constant pursuit of homespun pleasures involving candlelight, fires, fuzzy knitted socks, porridge, coffee, cake and other people.
– Mark Rosenthal, New York Times
Pushing against your body’s natural tendency to slow down right now will actually be working against yourself and the natural flow of energy present this season.
So, not only do I give you permission, but I invite you to cuddle up inside with a good, inspiring book or movie, eat warm nourishing foods, and do the exercises in the video below to help your body relax and restore your energy reserves.
If you are having some trouble relaxing or sleeping right now, or waking up still feeling tired, you might be experiencing the physical effects of “Mars and Mercury retrograde under this Full Moon, adding a layer of foggy and confusing energy. We may feel this the most within our own minds. We may find it hard to make sense of how we feel, or our minds may run on overdrive. (ForeverConscious)
The exercises below can help you have a more restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep. I have been doing the first exercise before bed as I watch TV. Then, I do the second one in the morning after I press snooze to help me wake up and get focused for my day.
This second exercise actually restores the energetic reserves of your Kidney, Liver, and Spleen Meridians which are key in digestion and detoxification. It always surprises me just how energized, focused, and clear-headed I get as I hold these points!
This series can also be done to help your body overcome food sensitivities, a hangover, allergic responses to environmental allergies, or just boost your energy. It can even help you more easily process emotional changes and life transitions, as each of these Meridians can help with both physical and emotional issues.
You can get the exercise instructions to print and put by your bed so it’s easy to do the exercise while you watch your favorite TV and when you wake in the morning. 😉
Much Peace, Inspiration and Energy,
