Stay Balanced Through Challenging Times

My heart has been feeling heavy with all the violence in the United States. Have you been experiencing heavy emotions as well?

Times like this are challenging for everyone, and heart-centered, sensitive people can be especially affected. 

We tend to feel our own emotions deeply. We also tend to pick up the emotions of those around us, including the larger culture.

What can we do with this emotional load? For me, I want to be able to experience the full range of emotions, but not get stuck in a heavy painful place.

I want to keep my hope and optimism alive, and I want to have energy and motivation to work towards a better future.

Here are some strategies to help maintain balance in challenging times:

1. Get clear on your why. Why do you want to stay balanced? My why is that I want to enjoy life and have energy to work towards a better future - for myself, my family, and for all of humanity. 

What is your why? What keeps you going, even during times that are challenging personally or societally?

2. Practice self-care. Taking excellent care of ourselves is always a good idea, and is especially important during challenging times.

What are your favorite self-nurturing activities? Maybe taking a bath, spending time in nature, being with friends, cooking a nice meal, taking a nap?

3. Uplevel your thoughts. The part of our brain that is focused on survival has a distinct negativity bias, and will grab hold of challenging situations to worry about. This can lead to negative, looping, fearful thought patterns. 

We can learn to calm our survival brain, interrupt fearful thought patterns, and develop more positive thought patterns. 

4. Practice joy. Joy creates a cascade of positive neurotransmitters that are good for our brains and our bodies.

What lifts your mood and brings you joy? Watching your favorite funny movie? Playing with children or pets? 

5. Unplug. Our survival brain can’t tell the difference between something that is actually happening, and something that is just on a screen.

It’s really important to take breaks from the news, and even from social media. 

The world needs heart-centered people more than ever. Please take good care of yourself . We need you!

Love and hugs,

Liz