Dear Love Warrior,
We need you strong and resilient.
Anyone who’s ever experienced a crisis can tell you that it’s not what you do in those moments that makes the difference. It’s the work you’ve done beforehand that pulls you through.
This is why it is perhaps more important than ever for us to be focused on our health and our immune systems. I am truly surprised at how little discussion there is of this obvious fact.
When we work intensely with immunity and health, the results can take time. Sure, there will be some noticeable changes right away—like increased energy or changes in your skin, but the work you are doing now will most likely benefit you in the next season, which is the fall/winter (flu season) where I am.
We are in a time of great challenge and change, and we are the ones who are needed to rise up, hold the light, and create the space for the birth of solutions. This requires that we be the healthiest and most vibrant versions of ourselves possible with great reserves of inner strength.
So, if you would like gain as much of an advantage as possible in regard to your wellness, here are 5 things you can begin doing right now. (Note: I am very passionate and can go on and on about any and all of these—especially #5—which I can do if you are interested. Just let me know!)
Image © Thomas Eckler
1. Move your body. Daily. Moving the body moves energy. It’s just as simple as that. Stagnant? Move! Stuck in emotions or thoughts? MOVE!
We’ve all heard about the numerous benefits of exercise, so I’ll spare you. There’s also too much conflicting information about methods and amount, so let’s simplify.
Forget the word exercise because it sometimes makes something that can be joy-filed feel like another task on the to-do list. Try asking your body how he/she/they wants to move. Then follow the guidance!
Moving our bodies helps move our lymphatic systems, which are our built-in garbage dumps. Since the lymphatic system doesn’t have it’s own pump, it relies on the heart to move lymph through and to push collect toxins and move them out.
2. Get quality sleep. Listen to your body. If you are tired, go to bed—no matter what time. If you wake up feeling invigorated, get up and start your day.
Set up a space that is conducive to peaceful sleep, getting rid of anything that might bring opposing energies into your space of peace—electronics, mail, clutter, television—whatever this means to you.
Also, notice any changes in sleep patterns and discuss them with your health team. These may be indicative off some underlying imbalances in your system and adjustments can be made in order to re-align you with nature.
3. Get outside. There are two major reasons for this. The first is that being in nature helps us feel better by easing our nervous systems, grounding us, connecting us back with our natural selves, and so much more. Being connected with ourselves helps us to be more balanced and, in turn, creates more energy and stamina, as well as opens up space for us to receive guidance.
The second reason is Vitamin D. We all know the usual suspects in terms of stoking our immune systems, and we often use them in crisis—Vitamin C, zinc, etc. However, since we are looking to create long-term health, we need to look at Vitamin D, the oft-unsung hero with an incredible ability to support the immune system.
The sun provides Vitamin D that the body is immediately able to assimilate. Chances are that your levels are low if you live in an area with a colder winter and fall. This can be checked with a simple blood test.
One of the best ways to get a daily dose of Vitamin D is to go out in the very early morning and/or late evening when the sun is not strong and let it wash over your clean skin (without any lotion or products on it) for about 15 minutes. Almost every product we put on our skin contains some form of sunscreen, preventing our bodies from absorbing Vitamin D from sun exposure, the way they would naturally.
If there is any reason why this might be contra-indicated for you, please listen in to your body and consult your health team before employing this practice or choosing to supplement. If choosing to supplement any vitamin, please choose the best quality you can.
4. Be emotionally available for yourself. Unexpressed emotions are held by your cells and become dis-ease over time. Taking the time to feel and work through your feelings allows them to move through your system without getting stuck. Give yourself the same gift space for their safe expression that you would give someone else.
Spiritual people tend to shut themselves off from feelings we classify as “negative” or “low vibration” and talk ourselves out of their validity with excuses, reasoning, and self-judgement.
Our emotions have a lot to teach us about why we are here. If we are patient and kind with ourselves, we can see where they stem from, and learn how we are being called to change our world and the world at large.
If, for whatever reason, you are having a problem getting through feelings of anger, sadness, or depression, please tell someone you trust or contact a professional. Sharing the load with another and feeling heard often helps us to move through much more efficiently.
And, perhaps the simplest and most important of all:
5. Eat seasonally. Know what is growing in your area at any given time during the year, and eat more of those foods. It’s that simple. Eat locally sourced and organic whenever possible. Even if this is the only thing you do, you will begin to see changes in your health very soon.
If there is anything recent events have reminded us of, it’s that we are not separate from nature.
Our internal and external environments mirror each other, and the earth is always providing us with exactly what we need to remain healthy or heal in any season. For example, spring is a great time to detox, and almost everything that grows naturally in the spring has a detoxifying effect on the body—berries, dandelion greens, etc.
In the summer, nature grows things like cucumbers and watermelon which are hydrating and cooling to prevent dehydration and overheating.
Fall and winter provide potatoes and root vegetables which are grounding and weighty to insulate us from the cold and counter the increased air energy that often causes colds.
It’s also important to remember to eat a plate full of varied colors. The more our plates look like rainbows, the more likely it is that we are getting the proper mix of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
These are five ways that we can start having a positive impact on our health and wellness at any time. There is no “too early” or “too late,” and you don’t have to do all of them at once. Choose the one that stands out to you and begin there and see what you experience in your body.
We need you. We need your energy, your voice, your thoughts, your heart, and your vision. We need ALL of you, and we need you to be as strong and resilient as possible, so stand in the face of any energy that threatens to make you feel weak and choose otherwise. Begin here, with the ideas on this page, and let your inner guidance expand on them.
Much Love.
XO
Theresa
P.S. If you are ready to work with your health on a deeper level, getting completely in-tune with your body, nature, and re-setting each of the systems in your body, consider taking a 2-week deep detox and cleanse journey with me this fall.
Tap here to let me know you are interested in receiving more information as it becomes available.