I was hoping the tone of this letter would be different – focused on Chinese Medicine and the seasons. Daylight savings on its own is stressful enough when the increasing quality of the water element starts to draw us inward, more hermity, more sleepy, more dreamy and maybe even more shadowy.
But alas, living in one of the most liberal areas of the United States, a majority of my patients arrived to my office last week with varying degrees of stress, fear, anger, hopelessness, numbness… And treatments included points for sleep, points named “Gate of Hope” and the goal of helping people feel less despondent.
Personally, I started the week with a feeling of having seen it all, weary from the dramatic plot twists of the previous 5 to 8 years. Noticing my detachment, I had a sense that my reaction would evolve, which is why I delayed writing this. It was only on Friday, after my job of holding space for others was complete, that a possibly unwise moment of scrolling brought the emotion of worry and a sting of tears to my own eyes.
How are YOU doing? I’m always glad to hear from my community with updates.
I’m thinking and talking ALOT about how to conserve energy and the importance of emotionally pacing ourselves. If you do feel easily affected by world events, I want to remind you, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Competing athletically at the level of marathon running takes impeccable self care. So too is impeccable care required in lengthy moments of stress.
What is YOUR emotional marathon self care plan?
Ideas that came up in the treatment room last week included regular exercise, meditation, metta (loving kindness) practice, commitment to getting enough sleep, seeking community, leaning on your spiritual practices, setting limits on news, social media, alcohol, sitting down to feel your feelings and receiving regular support like acupuncture, therapy, massage… or some other modality that you know is helpful.
Do you want to jump on my calendar to get re-centered? You can schedule your next or first appointment opens in a new window::HERE::
