Every season there’s a group of variables that adds up to STRESS….it’s stress on top of your “regular stress”. Life changes quickly. A transition from a relationship, job, home, health, any kinda situation to something new, it’s all uncomfortable. Aggravating. Stressful.
You don’t have to let it derail you. It’s unavoidable, things change. The seasons change. Then sometimes terrible shit happens. All of this releases a flood of adrenaline, cortisol and other stress-hormones that disrupt almost all of your body’s processes.
Have you ever gotten that feeling in your adrenal cortex when you hit the brakes in your car real hard, almost fall(woah!,) or get a real jump scare? The response is totally normal and is supposed to be temporary. Essential to our survival in the scope of evolution to have us learning and adapting..
but a constant state of stress. … is really detrimental to your health and immune system. It’s causing stuff like:
- Depression– Over 19 million people are dealing with major depression.
- Anxiety– Over 40 million people struggle with their anxiety
- Digestive problems – are common to most people on the planet
- Weight gain – 78.6 million are obese in the US
- Heart disease -the leading cause of death in the US
- Annoying Sleep problems-40 million suffer with chronic sleep disorders
- Debilitating Panic attacks – 18% of US adults have experienced at least one panic attack
- Memory and cognitive impairment– ummmm what were we just talking about?
Just a few ways that stress is affecting us all..
As if that wasn’t bad enough, all the things I just mentioned have secondary problems, like; destroyed relationships, a damaged self image, poor health, bad decision making , crabby outlook on life…nobody wants any of that shit, either.
Did you know that Feelings of love and pleasure can counteract the stress response?
The power of healing touch is a powerful remedy for pain and stress. But even just looking at images of: Hugging, sex, massage, cuddling, canoodling, hand holding, and reiki will make you feel better too.
Self-pleasuring, self- massage, putting lotion or oil onto your body, putting on makeup and brushing you hair can all stimulate a pleasurable response and bring in much needed oxytocin. You need more of that right now. Everyone does.
Exercise and physical activity can raise up endorphin and serotonin levels, and if you actually enjoy these activities, you’ll have an even better stress-reducing response. My favorite workouts are here on demand whenever you want them.
Self-care usually gets kicked to the wayside when you’re feeling down… The changes in your sleep patterns, create changes in appetite, energy and the moods are swinging wildly. Oh, and not just your moods, Sunshine…the people close to you too!
But self care looks different for everyone. You could create a list of the favorite parts of your regular day, and add your favorite special things that you’d like to do. This is a good start. My custom, strategic process for helps you in create magical, meaningful self care rituals over here in the Cosmic Sanctuary.,
Meditation helps reduce anxiety, depression and pain. When they have a specific purpose, they can be even more effective. Try a guided meditation, silent meditation, or chocolate meditation. I’ve created all kinds of meditative journeys in the Goddess Sanctuary. Meditation feels great, and doesn’t require a lot of your time.
‘Positive psychology’ has shown that pursuing pleasure as a means to stave off stress is a successful strategy. Results can last up to a week after indulging in a pleasurable activity.
…A week! Totally worth your time investment.
Any activity you love can be your pursuit to pleasure. Ritual bathing, reading a brand new book, getting your hair washed, eating raw chocolate, dancing, looking at the sea, the moon, sunrises, sunsets, walking in the woods, hugging , smelling a rose, making candles, painting your nails, dancing in the mirror, laughing maniacally with friends…Those are some of my actual favorites.
But these “activities” are totally subjective.
The stuff I love may not turn you on at all.
Meaning; a foot rub may be heavenly to me, and just dreadful to you!
Learn which self care practices are the most effective for you in the Sanctuary.
One warning, a weird thing; there’s something called habituation, which means you derive pleasure from , example: the first bite of chocolate… is blissful, but less and less so as you keep eating. Your weekly bath may lose it’s sensual appeal and feel like a chore or a bore. Get it? But having a real list will remind you of some of the pleasures you haven’t visited in while, and you’ll very likely enjoy them more when you revisit them.
Every season is different. The Sanctuary is a collection of seasonal practices designed to delight you. Try some new things .
You know what’s good for you, but finding the time to actually do it all in can feel impossible.
The Cosmic Sanctuary is filled with Practices to get you feeling good again. FAST…and the strategies to bend time to your will.