Feelings are one of the most special and profound parts of human existence. So, be honest with me, glow-getter -- how are you feeling?
His holiness, the Dalai Lama, is quoted as saying, “Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek”.
In his book with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World,” the two spiritual leaders point out how developing love and compassion toward others starts with self-feeling the light of all qualities radically for ourselves.
This notion of self-love then has a domino effect that spreads to others as our heart and soul recognizes and reaches out to other people to share the emotions and experiences within their own human experience, which in turn, paves the way for meaningful relationships.
In times such as these, it’s more critical than ever that we extend love and compassion to our fellow human beings, but as we’ve just learned, that must start from within ourselves.
In the following steps, we’ll journey through a simple, personal energetic inventory assessment and some guided self-care practices that can be a pathway for helping you to stay calm, cool, and collected through the expanded or heightened awareness you experience on your journey to greater well-being and soul alignment.
Become More Body Aware
“Neurons that fire together, wire together.”
That’s a quote from one of my other favorite spiritual guides, Dr. Joe Dispenza, that in essence, explains the mind-body connection.
When we become more keenly aware of how we feel in our body, we can take notice of the way our feelings directly impact our mood, which then reflects on the actions we take (or don’t take).
For example, something as simple as noticing where we are holding tension can encourage us to stretch those areas, but let’s take it a step further by being more thoughtful to the areas that need gentle attention and the emotions that may be associated with why our body is feeling that tension in the first place.
To become thoughtfully aware of one’s own body and inner landscape is an art form for mastering emotions, and can be extremely helpful for reducing stress, pain, and anxiety.
As you slowly stretch your body, take notice of any areas that feel really good, and any areas that could use some improvement.
Taking an extra few moments in waking that are spent checking in with yourself or returning to that check-in at any point through the day can help bring you into greater alignment simply by taking notice and making small shifts.
Maybe you slept great, but your body check-in reveals your knees are sore.
Taking the time to acknowledge this may lead you to sleep with your legs slightly elevated or with a pillow between your knees the next night, leaving you feeling even better the next morning, which in turn improves your mood for the rest of your day.
Create a Routine That Fosters Physical and Energetic Hygiene
First things first -- the way you wake up sets the tone for the rest of your day, so fill up your cup first so that you can serve others from your overflow.
It’s also proven that our cortisol (stress molecules) are at their highest in the morning, so as to not let stress hijack your inner landscape, it’s best not to feed the stress molecules by staring at blue light (i.e. - your phone or computer screen), first thing when you wake up.
Here are a few tips for better alternatives for starting your day:
- Before swallowing or taking your first sip of water, use a spoon to scrape your tongue and spit to remove dead cells & bacteria buildup that causes bad breath and oral issues. (This practice also helps to improve your sense of taste.)
- Sit in silence or listen to a meditation or mantra for whatever amount of time you can. This is proven to reduce stress molecules in the body and allows your mind to be calm and focused for the rest of your day. Take this time to set your intention for the day, not only what you want your day to look like, but more importantly, what you want to feel like and how the checklist of to-do’s will make others feel. Focus on the end result that you want to achieve, what it will feel like, and who it will serve.
- For an energy boost, turn on your favorite music and get your heart rate up, and dance like nobody's watching! Moving the body helps to move the qi. If you are ever in need of an energetic reset, just move to a beat and literally shake the unwanted energy out! You’re bound to feel renewed afterwards. Here is one of my personal favorites that transitions from meditative sounds to more movement based sounds that make you want to stretch your body & move your feet.
- Get blood to your brain by getting upside down to start your day with mental clarity, devoted concentration span, and a sharp memory. Try downward-facing dog or legs up a wall by laying flat on your back with your legs propped up a wall to get more blood flow to the brain , or if you’re up for a challenge, try a headstand (here's a quick tutorial)!
- Do an A.M. skin care routine in the area that sparks joy! - Design has a direct correlation with the feel good molecules in our brains, so first consider getting your products away from the toilet and relocating your “beauty counter” to another area in your home that sparks joy and emits feelings of beauty. Think of this "beauty counter" as an altar to amplify your self-care. This is the space where you will set your intention for how the products will work, how they will make you feel, say loving affirmations to yourself in the mirror to supercharge these intentions.
For example a mantra I like to hold in my heart is " I have arrived to the place will be where I always will be: in love".
It may feel silly and your fur or human child may look at you like “why are you talking to yourself, mom,” and that’s okay. The words we speak are deeply ingrained and connected to the thoughts we think. The more positive words we speak out loud equates to more positive thoughts, and positive thought patterns are directly linked to overall healthier bodies, age longevity, and quality of life.
- Consider getting your breakfast, exercise, and space set up for the day before you even log on to check your emails. Even though I can feel the major positive impact not checking my phone upon first waking has, I struggle with it, too because these cellular devices are an addiction, and they’re designed that way!
We are constantly being programmed to look as soon as our notifications send a ping to our phone by a surge of dopamine that makes us feel good and accomplished although it can ultimately be counterintuitive by distracting us from an action or our own thoughts.
Make Self-Care a Full-Sensory Experience
Essential oils can be used to set the tone for how you want to feel (different essential oils are known to give different benefits, anything from uplifting and energizing to helping to promote a restful night’s sleep), and by amping up your self-care practice with the sensory experience that essential oils can bring is something you may find leads you to feel like you are living an enriched life.
Also, our sense of smell can help wash a wave of calm over us, energize, and awaken our energy, or simply remind us of a smell that makes us happy.
For example, the seasonal blends fresh from our farm's autumn harvest, Sage, Rosemary, Mint and Third Eye Chai, make me feel cozy and remind me of holiday traditions. Infusing the air in your spa with these scents may likely facilitate a similar feeling to your clients, incentivizing them to stay a while and do their holiday shopping with you!
The more relaxed and comfortable you make yourself and your spa, the more relaxed and comfortable your client’s will be.
This all circles back to how greater alignment and cultivation of our own self-care extends toward impacting the experience of others within our orbit.
Don’t Forget to Breathe
Simply taking note of how one feels and pausing for a deep breath or few can encourage us to be gentle with ourselves and serve as an important reminder that we are all a work in progress.
And in this energy assessment, don’t forget to count all blessings and give lavish praise!
Celebrating our wins, transitions, life events, realizations, however big or small they may be to us or others, and gratitude check-ins, have a powerful, positive effect on our overall health and wellness.
Celebrate you for where you are today and for the opportunity to grow. Be proud of how far you’ve come and where you’re growing.
Glow getter, you are, always have been, and always will be, capable and worthy of loving yourself radically and working relentlessly toward all that serves your highest good. That’s what inevitably makes the world a better place.