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Wowzer. It's the height of summer. We're just a couple of weeks since the Summer Solstice and, I don't know about you, but I am feeling it.
The frenetic energy of summer. The 'I want to say yes to everything' energy. Camping, hiking, paddle boarding, parks, swimming.....All. The. Things.
My house is a mess because we're not home enough or have enough energy to do anything beyond what's necessary to function. I mean, kitchen and bathrooms have been cleaned, but don't ask me to fold laundry or clean up after my kiddo (she's not quite old enough to do it herself).
It's fun and it is absolutely the energy of summer and fire, the element that rules this season. And there comes a time when the fiery energy leaves us feeling burnt, literally and figuratively.
Here are seven ways I balance the energy of summer to keep me sane and not burnt out and meditation isn't one of them.
Plan for one slow day a week
Ideally it's the same day every week, but sometimes that isn't possible. At the beginning of each week plan a slow day. If you're like me and you don't plan you'll find yourself in the same negative stressed out loop that you're in. Don't wait until you're feeling bad to feel good.
Your slow day is a day you don't rush and don't rush your kids or partner through anything. Chores still get done, unless you choose to skip those too on your slow day, but they are a slow, when you get to them sort of thing. Read books, snuggle on the couch, go to the park but don't rush home. No plans, see what comes up, the only thing is that you move slow and soak up each part of your day.
Get in nature
I prefer specifically being around water, but any type of nature will do. If you can't get somewhere that feels like the middle of nowhere (my preference), your backyard, a park, anything that isn't just concrete. Just focus on the earth and her speed. This isn't a hike to a summit, get in nature day. It's an allow yourself to move at Her speed sort of day. Allow yourself to be nourished and filled by the energy of Mother Earth. Breathe in Her air, watch the trees dance in the wind, listen to the birds, get lost in a flower, lay on the ground and watch the clouds move slowly through the sky.
Studies (not that we need them if we've experienced it first hand) have shown that time in nature can reduce stress hormones, calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
Blow bubbles
There is something about watching the iridescent color of bubbles float through the air that calms your mind and brings out your playful side. If you need something to 'do' you can put your thoughts in the bubbles as they float away and watch them Pop! Give yourself time to be a kid again and you can see how silly most of your stress levels are.
Set a timer to immerse yourself in play
This one is great, especially if you have kiddos. Even if you don't this works really well. Why a timer? When you decide to play in a stressed state of mind often you find yourself thinking about all of the other things you should be doing. Setting a timer allows yourself to fully sink into play. You know its for a set amount of time so it's easier (in theory) to let your thoughts go and immerse yourself in play. It may take some practice but it's amazing what 20 or 30 minutes of pure play will do for your mindset.
Pick one area of your home to de-clutter
Stress is an internal and external experience. You've heard the state of your house is the state of your mind. Now, I don't think your worth is wrapped up in the cleanliness of your home and I don't think you should either. That said, it is hard for most of us to be relaxed when there is clutter in our homes. If you are one of the lucky ones and clutter doesn't bother you, awesome.
Often we look at our entire house and think 'how am I going to de-clutter everything?!?!?' The trick is not to do it all. Pick one area, one corner, one bookshelf to de-clutter each month. You'll feel lighter, and able to give your energy to more important things than the silent suck of clutter in your home.
Self Pleasure
Yup....orgasm. Put it in your calendar, get the kids out of the house, schedule some time with your partner, whatever you need to do to make sure you're getting a good orgasm in on the regular. The hormones that are released during orgasm, specifically dopamine and oxytocin, help to decrease the stress hormone, cortisol. You literally can't be stressed when you are having regular orgasms.
Breathe
I am fascinated by the breath. We largely go through our day not even thinking about our breathing and yet it has the power to create more stress hormones, hey there shallow breather, or create hormones that help us relax, calm and slow us down.
First, just notice your breathing, don't change anything just notice where the breath lands in your body. Is it up high in your body? Does it come down to your belly or somewhere in-between? You can follow a easy breathing exploration on my YouTube page here.
Plant Allies and Tea
We all need a little support sometimes. You can be doing all the things to slow way down and still feel on edge. And, let's face it, sometimes life is too fast and demanding to allow us to slow down. This is where our plant allies come in.
Below are three tea blends that I use on the regular to help me feel calm, focused and present with my day and family. You can harness the energy of the sun and make sun teas with these blends rather than using boiling water or after steeping, put them in the fridge to drink cold.
General Relaxation Tea:
1 teaspoon each:
Tulsi
St. John's Wort
Chamomile
Lemon Balm
Combine and pour 2 cups of boiling water over herbs. Let steep for 10-15 minutes. Add honey if needed to taste.
Sleep Tea:
1 teaspoon each
Skullcap
Wood Beotny
Chamomile
Licorice
Combine and pour 2 cups of boiling water over herbs. Let steep for 10-15 minutes. Add honey if needed to taste. Drink about one hour before bedtime.
Find you sparkle tea:
1 teaspoon each
St. John's Wort
Yarrow
Chamomile
Tulsi
Combine and pour 2 cups of boiling water over herbs. Let steep for 10-15 minutes. Add honey if needed to taste.
Look for your local apothecary for herbs or visit Mountain Rose Herbs for your herbal needs.
If you try any of these blends let me know if you have any questions or how things go. I'd love to hear from you! Email me at sarah@sarahferree.com.
My disclaimer: By implementing and ingesting any of these herbs and teas you are acknowledging that you are a sovereign, free thinking individual capable of making your own decisions and choices about your health. I, Sarah Ferree, am in no way promising a cure to any ailment or symptom you are experiencing. I am not responsible for any outcome you experience, good or bad, as you are solely responsible for your health.
Stress steals so much of our time. The most important thing is to make sure your doing whatever you need to do on a regular basis to keep yourself feeling your best.
What is regular basis? Everyone is different and I trust you to decide what's best for you. I often advise clients that I work with to give themselves 30 minutes a day. This works as preventative care as well as creating the neural muscle memory to calm your system quicker when you are stressed. It's harder to get to a relaxed state when we are stressed when we haven't practiced being there when we are not stressed. Being relaxed essentially takes practice.
Finally, working with your natal chart and current transits can also give a lot of insight as to the archetypal energies you are working with as well as the herbs that will support you the most.
There is no one size fits all approach to your health and well being. What works for someone else may not work for you. If you are feeling stuck, lost, tried all the things and not sure what to do next, let's work together. I'd love to support you to feel your best.
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