Feeling overwhelmed by all the talk about New Year’s resolutions?
Feeling drained from the holidays or from you or your family being sick?
Or maybe you have recently experienced another kind of life crisis?
We had a tough December with home construction issues and the flu.
And, my heart goes out to those people evacuating their homes in California.
Many people are experiencing tough things right now.
When a new year starts and when things go wrong, we have a tendency to try to plan and to control outcomes.
Instead of trying to control what is happening, because that is impossible, I invite you to give yourself comfort instead.
When we comfort ourselves, we give ourselves the energy we need to restore, ground and find clarity about what is most important.
That is enough right now.
I am giving you permission to follow your body’s instincts and give into rest this weekend.
Most of you are used to pushing yourself to get things done, and I admire you for that, but Winter is the season to refuel on rest and inspiration. 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 right now.
Chinese Medicine doctors recommend to 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.
Pushing against your body’s natural tendency to slow down right now will actually work against you and the natural flow of energy present this season.
Most of our society doesn’t value the energetic benefits of rest.
But, the healthiest people in the world follow this prescription and honor it with national pride.
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.
Denmark frequently tops lists of the happiest countries in the world, in surveys conducted by the United Nations, among other organizations, consistently beating its Scandinavian cousins, Sweden and Norway – as well as the United States, which hovers around 15th place. While all three Nordic countries share happiness boosters like small populations and the attendant boons of a welfare state (free education, subsidized child care, and other generous social supports), what distinguishes Denmark is its quest for hygge.” – Mark Rosenthal, New York Times
So, how about taking the advice of both Chinese Medicine, Astrology and the happiest country in the world, and get cozy and rest this weekend?
Is this permission enough?
Having trouble calming your body enough to get a good rest?
To help calm your central nervous system, and give your body a real rest, try this Calming Exercise at night before bed.
This is part of my bedtime routine. I hold these points as I watch TV with my husband, and find I get a more restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep.
This exercise takes under 5 minutes. Notice how your body relaxes as you do it. I find I start to yawn and release tension as I hold these points – a good sign this is working and my body is letting go.
You can download and print out the exercise instructions to keep by your bed here.
So much of the time, we don’t know how much tension we are holding until we release it.
It’s time to let go and get into flow with nature and your body’s need for rest right now.
Much love and peace!
