Essential Self-Care For Lightworkers Part 1
I know how busy you are, and how easy it is to let self-care slide – you’re so busy taking care of everyone else!
But I also know how sensitive you are – and as such, how vitally important self-care is for you! So I’ve created this 3 part blog post on how you can make the most of the time you have available – 3 simple steps to shift from Stressed to Success in all areas of your life! And the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime!
I’m going to show you how to use Movement, Meditation & Mindset to cultivate & maintain a positive attitude, and prevent dis-ease from becoming disease.
Movement can energize your life in just 30 minutes a day!
As a Lightworker myself, I know how busy you are, and how easy it is to forget the self-care that is so critical to your well-being. But it’s so important that you do take the time, for yourself and everyone who is depending on you!
Vibrant health is a big part of the abundant lives we all desire, and physical activity is a key component to that. Dancing, walking, yoga or any other activity that gets your heart pumping is your greatest ally to relieve stress. As an added bonus, you’ll also burn stored fat, so you’ll look better too!
Moving your body is the most effective way to relieve stress anywhere, place or time because it literally moves the energy of stress out of your body. You don’t have to join a gym – even your basic brisk walk around the block will do the trick, or hop on your treadmill or rebounder. Get that loving, caring heart of yours pumping! Any stress, worry, anxiety or anger you’re feeling won’t stand a chance! Aerobic activity releases endorphins, promotes deep breathing, which brings an abundance of fresh oxygen to every cell in your body.
I especially recommend yoga, for the benefits I’ve personally experienced over 10 years teaching it. Yoga is considered to be a moving meditation. It helps you develop a mind/body connection. When you practice yoga, your brain produces anti-anxiety chemicals (GABA) which keeps spirits high and relieves depression. Regular practice also prevents mindless eating and binge eating, as well as relieving backaches, asthma, and reducing the risk factor for diabetes.
Yoga is also helpful in reminding you how to breathe. We’re born knowing how to breathe properly. Just watch a baby breathe — their tummies rise and fall naturally as they flood their bodies with oxygen. But daily stresses cause most people to abandon ‘belly breathing’ for ‘chest breathing’, using only the tops of the lungs.
Stress makes your diaphragm contract, which reduces lung space, allowing less air per breath. To compensate, we automatically take more shallow breaths which constricts blood vessels, causing more stress.
The brain is the first organ to suffer from this under-supply of oxygen, making you even more susceptible to the physical effects of stress. Shallow breathing contributes to stress-related disorders like migraines, high blood pressure and panic attacks.
Deep yoga breathing helps relieve these problems, along with PMS, asthma and insomnia. By fully inhaling, you bring abundant oxygen to every cell. Full exhalations release pollution and stale air. Deep breathing helps all cells, tissues and organs perform at peak levels.
So one of the best stress relief activities you can do is to breathe properly! Even if you only have a few minutes between activities, make the most of them with a few deep breaths, breathing in for a count of 3 and out for 5. Now, don’t you feel better! 🙂 Stay tuned for part 2 of this mini-series, coming soon!