10/03/2022
Happy October! 🍁🎃🍂
Autumn is here and blessing us with opportunities for reflection and growth. I am still out of town, helping a family member through surgery and recovery from a brain tumor. Although it would be easy to succumb to worry, fear, and stress, the changing colors of the falling autumn leaves remind me to let go. This difficult time is just a passing season, and I can choose how I respond to it. As the old saying goes, "You can't pour from an empty cup." In order to be an effective medical advocate and caregiver, I have prioritized my self care so I remain calm, healthy, balanced, patient and supportive. Five of the daily self-nurturing activities I'm practicing include:
1) Vigorous morning walks. Moving my body first thing in the morning wakes me up, centers my energy, and dissolves feelings of despair and hopelessness. I also enjoy activating my senses and soaking in the cool temperature, crunchy leaves, floating clouds, and earthy smell of the hills and pine trees. After each walk, I feel invigorated, powerful, and hopeful so I am better prepared to face the day's challenges.
2) Stay cozy. In times of high stress, enjoying small comforts is essential. I love snuggling in a cozy blanket and fuzzy socks, smelling the delightful aroma of my favorite essential oils (orange, rose, and cinnamon are my current faves), and savoring a warm cup of tea. These simple pleasures and so rejuvenating.
3) Laugh out loud. When you laugh, your body releases joyful chemicals that balance stress in your body. Activating facial muscles with a smile also communicates joy to the brain, so read some jokes, watch spastic baby goat videos, hang out with happy people, and let yourself laugh out loud.
4) Say no. Although I want to be the person who does all the things, saying no to requests and invitations without any guilt has been essential for my well-being. My brain and body need extra rest to recover and rejuvenate right now, so slowing my commitments and scheduling extended rest time is necessary.
5) Nightly meditation. As I wind down from my busy day, I listen to a peaceful meditation with nature sounds. Staying on electronics at night disrupts my sleep, but meditating before bed relaxes my body and quiets my mind, so I sleep deeper and more peacefully.
Hope these tips are helpful for you as you walk through the autumn season. Although I am physically out of the office for the next 4 weeks, I will continue to provide individual reiki and meditation sessions via Zoom, phone and FaceTime. Virtual sessions are just as powerful and effective as in person sessions, and so convenient...you can even enjoy a session in your pj's! Please contact me via phone, text or email to schedule your next healing session so you can remain healthy and happy this autumn. You deserve it!
With love and light,
Jennifer Bennett
Certified Reiki Master
THRIVE Community Wellness
27001 La Paz Road ~ Suite 266A
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Email: happylife4jennifer@gmail.com
Phone: (949) 303-8584
www.thrivewithjennifer.com
