What fabulous things can you do to support yourself while you’re going through pesky change? How can you thrive through adversity?
Recently, I found out that a tenant I had in an investment property was moving out (in a market that had dropped significantly) and, on the same day, that the house we are renting was being sold! There had been a series of changes like this happening for us and here was yet another one!
Bugger! It felt like being in the surf where the waves are high and every time you come up for air, you get pounded!
And I find myself surrounded by lots of people going through the same types of life changes. My clients, my friends and my family.
Is there a quickening? Is something happening on the planet? Is our consciousness evolving? Apparently something is going on. But, it’s not the planetary implications we’re worried about, it’s ourselves and the STRESS of all that change! And how we can make the whole experience great!
Change is stressful. Change can be scary. Fear pumps adrenalin into the body and depletes us, energetically and nutritionally. Anxiety makes us sleep poorly. Lack of sleep raises our cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol levels has a huge impact on the body, from lower back pain to emotional eating. And round and round it goes!
All of this increases our requirement for nutrients especially magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C. Nutrient deficiencies are stressful to the body and correcting them can help you cope better.
So, what can you do to help you deal with the stress of change?
Actually, lots. Now is the time to be proactive in managing your stress or more particularly, your body’s response to it.
- Breathe
Doing something that gets air deep down into your lungs is the number 1 thing you can for yourself to reduce fear and relieve stress. Go for a run, do some yoga, go for a bushwalk or a bike ride, have a deep belly laugh or just take regular deep breaths. It’s all free and it beats drugs hands down. - Up your nutrients
Do not be tempted by convenience food. Slow down, make a proper meal with veggies and whole grains and good quality meat. Have a soup ready for the stove at all times. Drink veggie juices. Don’t skip meals especially breakfast. Make things up in bulk (soups, muesli, slow cooked meals) so you’re more efficient. It’s essential that you are providing your body with the raw materials it needs to improve your stress response. It makes everything easier! - Nutrients you need more of:
Magnesium supports your nervous system and is found in green leafy veggies like kale and spinach
B vitamins supports energy production and are found in whole grains and vegetables.
Vitamin C supports healthy adrenal function and is found in berries, capsicums and citrus fruits.
Zinc is involved in many, many processes in the body and is found in meat, oysters and pumpkin seeds. - Adaptogens: Royalty when it comes the the herbal kingdom!
These incredible herbs help the body adapt to stress. They are fabulous for uplifting the spirit, improving cognitive abilities, calming the nervous system, improving exercise performance and sleep and, in my experience, help us feel stronger inside. Examples are ginseng, rhodiola, withania and licorice. - Energetic medicine
Let’s not forget that we are body, mind and spirit. Energetic remedies such as homeopathics, Bach flowers, essential oils or acupuncture are enormously helpful in calming the body and mind down. - Massage
Regular massage, especially with the appropriate essential oils, is a fantastic gift to yourself. You can even claim it on your health fund! The gentle kneading of the muscles helps squeeze away acidic wastes and allows fresh blood to flow into the tissues. If you’re also taking magnesium, this combination is magic for relaxing muscles and aiding deep, healing sleep. - Epsom salts
Don’t forget the good, old-fashioned remedy of an Epsom salts bath. You can buy a small box in your supermarket or a big bag of them in the nursery or garden centre. - Personal development
Maybe you’re a drama queen; maybe you can’t get out of your own way; maybe your inner saboteur undermines all your good intentions. Whatever it is, you need a mindset change. Life or Weight Loss Coaching and personal development programs such as those run by Landmark Education or similar, are extremely beneficial for facilitating change and ensuring it becomes the positive experience you want it to be. If you’re going to go through all that change, you at least want to know that it’s for the better!
Good luck my friends. I hope you’re thriving with the change :). If there is any way I can help you on your journey, it would be my great honour to do so. Stay in touch.
Sincerely
Brenda
