Say that six times fast.
Still with me?
If that gave you a chuckle or a smile, you’re already on the way to reducing some stress.
Here are six stress-squashing suggestions to help you better ride the rocky waves:
Breathe. I know, I know. So simple. Overstated. Blah, blah, blah. But, everybody’s doing it! Seriously, though, this is the FASTEST way to reclaim your power when you’re having low to moderate stress. Got a minute? Try this simple technique right now: Sit with spine straight in a chair, both feet on the ground, hands on thighs or lap. Slowly breathe in through your nostrils to the count of three. Hold your breath for a moment or two and then exhale for a count of four to seven (whatever is most comfortable). Hold for a moment or two, then inhale and repeat the cycle for up to a minute.
Move in Nature. Now that the bears have gone to sleep, it’s safe to refill the birdfeeders. Go for a short walk in your yard, down your street or around the block. The different patterns found in nature, like branching and spirals, have a calming effect. You’ll elevate mood, reset sleep cycle rhythms and have an opportunity to appreciate and be enriched by beauty, which is always a good thing.
Do Something Kind for Another. Start with yourself and ripple it out. Donate to the local food pantry. Shovel someone’s walkway. Practice Loving Kindness. Bake cookies or a casserole for a friend. Mail or drop off a “just-because” note or card. Pet, play with and scruff a companion animal a little longer than usual (with both hands!). Set up a “listening” call with someone you know who is going through a hard time. Box up some clothes and drop off at a Goodwill. Lighten the load of a family member or house-mate and do a chore you normally don’t do. And, please, please, please, always replace the toilet paper roll.
Be Playful. A good release valve from the pressure of 2020 is to give yourself permission to have playful moments. Go outside and howl at the moon. Jump in the puddles. Have a snowball fight. Yell in your car like you’re on a rollercoaster. Hula hoop. Find the funny. Try a tongue twister. Identify a constellation in the night sky. Messily decorate cookies with sprinkles and colored frosting. Eat the frosting! Play catch. Play fetch. Have a dance party in your kitchen – solo or with the whole family. Doodle while watching Netflix. Sing really loud in your car or shower.
Take a Time Out. There have been a lot of blurred boundaries this year. It’s hard to know when to shut things off. Meditate, pray, journal, cloud gaze, look at a candle flame or just sit in a favorite chair and zone out. Resting isn’t lazy. It’s refueling, reconnecting, resetting, rebooting, reflecting and re-creating. Set a timer if it will allow you to let go more.
Do Something Useful. Feel better about yourself, improve the world around you and get some new energy flowing! Clean a room. Ugh. Too much? Start with a drawer. Fix something broken. Move furniture into a better layout. Write a Facebook or blog post that shares some useful knowledge. Sew a button on a piece of clothing that’s without one in your closet. Volunteer to write an email or letter for a cause you find particularly meaningful. Move something forward, even a tiny bit. What small thing can you do right now?
It’s a hard time. Take stock of your courage over the past year, continue to seek out replenishing conversations and actions, and remain open to learning new things that may help yourself or those around you.
Wishing you all a SUPER (califragilisticexpialidocious) day! Couldn’t resist.
Medical Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Medical advice must only be obtained from a physician or qualified health professional.
Geri Ann Higgins, owner of Fully Present, is a Writer, Reiki Master, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Tarot Reader, Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified yoga4cancer Teacher, Marketing Professional and Breast Cancer Survivor. Learn more at www.FullyPresentWithYou.com.
The Emperor: Structure was important. Surgical drains had to be measured and recorded. Pain medicine had to be taken. Nutrition was key, especially the protein intake to ensure that tissue was being repaired at a good rate. I engaged in daily exercise to keep my lymphatic system moving and immune system strong, plus non-negotiable scheduled times of quiet meditation to rest my weary, worried mind.
The Heirophant (also known as the “Pope” card): I engaged in learning from multiple areas of healing traditions and channels. I read all types of books in my personal sanctuary space (my living room) and immersed myself in the healing element of music, playing instruments such as singing bowls and drums. I also utilized the ability to “tune up” the inside of my body and relax my nervous system through chanting, toning and singing.
The Tower: Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event. In my opinion, this card is the most alarming and challenging. It means that a sudden, unexpected change has occurred that will rock your foundation and affect your whole world. There’s opportunity for major growth afterwards, but when you are in the midst of Tower energy, you cannot even entertain that concept. As they say, the only way out is through – allow others to help you through.
The Star: Stirrings that you are on the right track to healing. Little signals of rebirth and regeneration. Listening to and learning from other patient stories, yet finding your own North Star to guide you. One interesting phenomenon I experienced was “phantom boob” – it felt so strange and strong that it was actually still there. I sometimes had to look down my shirt to confirm! I now know this meant that healing was continuing to knit things together under the surface… an unnerving, but positive sign.
The Moon: Worries of side effects from the treatment. Worries of recurrence. Worries of death. The moon brings out our biggest primal fear: the dark, the strange, the unknown, the wild and not being able to see what is hidden from us. One useful way to harness your physiology is to take some slow, measured, mindful breaths. It is the fastest way to naturally alter your state.
The Sun: Baby steps. Beginning to feel more energy and confidence. Breaking through barriers, looking at situations through new eyes and being more direct. Vitality returning. During this time, I started to surround myself with more vibrancy – moving away from my predominately black wardrobe and selecting more colorful pieces of clothing and art, planting flowers that were every color of the rainbow and eating more life-giving fruit and vegetables.
Judgment: Seeing the world from a higher viewpoint. Knowing that you never see things the way you did prior to diagnosis. Life is divided into “before cancer” and “after cancer.” Learning to live with uncertainty. Walking has always been healing for me, especially done outside. One evening, I had the most bizarre experience of my body “walking” me home. This observational awareness was impactful in a way that I cannot sufficiently describe with words. As I curiously witnessed my body moving through space, as if on automatic pilot, I thought both of the vulnerability of the physical form and the power of awakened moments.
The World: Feeling whole again. Masculine and feminine united. Dancing with all of the elements. Respecting the vessel of the body. Months had passed. It was late summer and I had been out in my gardens all day, hands in the earth, moving rocks to and fro, watering, weeding, admiring and soaking in all the natural beauty and sounds. I remember going inside to my kitchen sink and looking out the window at all the different shades of green. As warm water ran over my hands, I realized that for the first time in a long time, I felt true peace and contentment.
Fully Present 
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