Respite
I’ve just returned from a brief pilgrimage to the Southwest which included Santa Fe and Sedona. This was my first trip back since attending the Utah College of Massage Therapy over 25 years ago and it felt amazing to return to a place that is so dear to me and left me feeling energized and at peace. I had long heard about the beauty and energy of Sedona but northing prepared me for how deeply it touched me; often being moved to tears by it’s beauty or something as simple as watching two coyotes wandering up the road. I have a lot of history in the Southwest; from my uncle teaching me to drive his manual VW Beetle in Apache Junction when I was 14, mornings jogging alongside the Superstition Mountains, and stopping at roadside flea markets and buying a cowboy hat (and feather clips for the back!). Returning was a really visceral experience for me; it had certainly been too long and served as a good lesson for me to be sure to schedule my next journey before life has its way with me.
We all need to remember to take time for ourselves, especially when it seems we have the least amount of time available! It is important to SCHEDULE time regularly to quiet the mind and calm the body; not only to reset our nervous systems but also to maintain a healthy physical structure. As within, so without. Which is to say, whatever is happening in our “internal environment” will be represented or reflected in our external environment (i.e. our physical being, our interactions with others, etc.)
Why did I highlight the word schedule? “If you talk about it, it’s a dream. If you envision it, it’s possible but if you schedule it, it’s REAL.” We all get our musts, we don’t get our “shoulds.” You’ve got to put it in your calendar, planner, phone, WHATEVER to make it real! I remember the first time I heard the term “date night”. I thought to myself, how could someone be so busy in their lives that they need to schedule time with their partner? Well…let’s just say my stance has changed since my initial thoughts on the subject. ;) Just do it!
Now, this doesn’t have to be something grandiose like a sabbatical or pilgrimage to spiritual vortexes nor does it require great planning or insight. Look, you already know some things that help you feel more like yourself and ways that help you relax and unplug. The most important thing is to decide you’re worth it (spoiler alert… YOU ARE) and then write it down. Like now. (Seriously, now).
Creating a rituals can help to set the stage to honor your future self and build accountability. Finding time away from “the things of man”, (to quote Tom Hanks from Joe vs. The Volcano), is the goal and you can start with just 5-10 minutes a day. Find a place where you can sit quietly, either on the floor or in a chair. Begin with the 4-7-8 breathing technique to regulate your vagus nerve. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and exhale for 8. Continue with the breath work or incorporate whatever you’d like; watching your breath, watching but not getting attached to your thoughts, melding with a vision or deity you resonate with, etc. This is a very easy and effective way to bring about relaxation in the middle of a busy day and also help you fall asleep. Here are two videos that walk you through the 4-7-8 technique. One is a shorter, instructional video and the other is a longer 20 minute mediation with speaking and some music.
A (not so subtle) reminder that bodywork is another great way to honor yourself and maintain a healthy nervous system and physical structure. Zero Balancing and Craniosacral Therapy are fabulous for creating expanded states where healing and relaxation can occur and of course massage can help address the physical structure while also quieting our monkey mind.