Essence Health | Ann Petrus Baker

Tag: spirit

  • The Power of Intention

    The Power of Intention

    I’m writing this on January 1, the time to make all those resolutions for the new year that honestly, are destined to fail.  You can read many posts on the internet about why resolutions fail. Most will focus on lack of willpower or a good action plan, or lack of discipline or maybe there is something wrong with the goals themselves.

     

    I think it is more foundational than that. Most resolutions made come from a desire for self-improvement. What’s wrong with self-improvement?  It implies you need to be fixed. You aren’t acceptable right now. It comes from a place of lack, limitation and being flawed. “When I meet my weight loss, fitness, meditation, or productivity goals, then I will feel good about myself.”  (Image credit:  Tim Mossholder, www.unsplash.com)

    The heart knows the way. Run in that direction. – Rumi

    Resolutions often fail because deep down many people don’t believe they are worth it or have the capability to obtain their aspirations. Or we set goals based on something external, something you think you don’t have already “ I should look a certain way, be rich, happy, etc. When you come from a place of self-improvement, when does it end? At what point do you say, I’m done, I’m good enough? From this belief or perspective, why bother even trying?  I was hooked on self-improvement for years “ all in the name of health and wellness. I had to know the perfect diet, exercise plan, yoga pose, etc.  I couldn’t really get healthy until I dropped the lists of self-improvement goals and focused on self-acceptance and balance.What if you came from a place of self-acceptance, right now?  What if you knew what you truly desire is already within you? Despite all your imagined inadequacies and flaws, what if in this moment you accept yourself, give yourself a hug and relax? If this is allowed, a creative energy will bubble up “ a nudge from deep within pointing you to a desire. From here, an intention emerges that is aligned with your highest good. Maybe a desire emerges for peace or courage or connection. These qualities are like seeds of potential within you. An intention flows from this desire, for example:

    • I intend to stay calm during my work day.
    • I intend to speak my truth.
    • I intend to extend my self to make more social connections.

     

    This intention then becomes a compass for directing your actions. Your soul wants to experience the fullness of life and learn and grow through challenges. The personality can get in the way as its agenda is usually based on fear and survival. This is where getting real comes in. Look honestly at what’s behind the obstacles to living the life you really want. Opportunities for healing come up as you discover parts of you that don’t align with your highest intentions. These parts may be carrying old wounds or trauma that are somehow related to you moving forward. That healing can free you from the obstacles that sabotage the best of efforts.

    Intention setting is about creating what you want. Make room for what you desire instead of taking on a laborious project. The flower grows naturally given enough nurturing through water, sun, nutrients and pulling weeds, right?

    Start your new year with an honest look at where you are, and where you want to go and what you want to create. Schedule a free consult to learn how I can help you realize your potential and listen to the call of your heart.  Image credit: Heidi Fin, www.unsplash.com.

  • Prescription: Rest!

    Prescription: Rest!

    Literally everyone I know is tired – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I am so very, very tired of the pandemic and all that goes with it – I’m sure you are too! Nothing is simple right now and so much is unknown, and that is draining.  So “ are we tired are burnt out?  Read on to explore the nuances. (Image credit: Rosie Kerr, www.unsplash.com)

    The aspect of the nervous system that is activated when we are at rest is the dorsal vagal pathway. It is the rest and digest/ rest and repair function. A healthy dorsal state is supported by feeling safe. Feeling safe allows us to fall asleep at night while the body does its maintenance and repair functions to keep us healthy.

    The dorsal vagal pathway also gets activated when danger is perceived that is so threatening that we can’t run or fight it. This is the freeze response.

    This pathway is also activated in burnout. This is when we stay in fight/flight for so long that we can’t keep up with our challenges and our system goes on overload. We lose the energy to get through our days, and we become emotionally spent and fragile. If we don’t take care of ourselves at this point, we can suffer adrenal fatigue and/or depression. The key to prevent this is to intentionally seek and create feelings of safety and honor the need to rest and recover.

    Life is meant for living.

    My dear readers “ I fear many of us are falling into this zone now! It is hard to find safety when we look at what’s happening in the world. Our nervous systems operate below our awareness. We have an internal monitor “ ever vigilant, looking for cues of safety or danger. These cues determine the activity of the nervous system and what molecules are secreted that keep our body in a stress response or the rest and repair mode. There is no middle ground really. Chronic stress response over time adds up to mental and/or physical dis-ease. It is crucial right now to seek safety cues, get extra rest, do relaxation practices, and curate your media input, including news, social media, movies and TV shows. I’m a big fan of shows like Ted Lasso that entertain and make you feel good about the world.

    Winter Solstice (December 21st) is the peak time of the feminine or inward facing energy of the year. This supports you in getting more rest. Your adrenal glands need rest so they can make more cortisol, the hormone that gives you energy to get through your day but gets used up with fight/flight response. Take advantage of the dark to get more sleep when you can.

    Support your ability to truly rest by giving your inner danger monitor a break with the following tips:

    1. Social connection “ I know this is tricky now, but we need to see other smiling faces, share laughter, and make meaningful connection to really feel safe. This is hardwired in our system. Keep a safe group of friends or family and commit to not talking doom and gloom and celebrate each other’s company. Have fun!
    2. Savor simple pleasures “ really savor good meals, a sunset, good music, a nice glass of wine. Savoring for 20-30 seconds is enough to send safety signals to the brain.
    3. Nature “ get out and move regardless of temperature and enjoy fresh air. I love walking at dusk in the winter and seeing the lights coming on in the neighborhood and appreciating the silhouette of the trees. I love the silence of walking in winter “ no more leaf blowers!
    4. Limit your news to necessary check ins.
    5. Watch uplifting shows. Your system doesn’t know it’s sitting on a couch in the safety of your home when you view violence “ it goes into a stress response. Pay attention to how your body feels when you are watching TV “ how does the show make you feel?
    6. Set boundaries to create more time to rest “ do less, make less commitments, ask for help, go to bed early for the most restorative sleep.
    7. Challenge yourself to be idle for 5 minutes/day “ do nothing! Just be.
    8. Process your emotions. Please read Hardwired for Bliss? for more information.
    9. Meditation and/or prayer. Connect within and to your Source. Focusing on the heart while taking slow breaths is an easy way for me to calm and connect within.
    10. Seek professional help sooner than later. Call me for a free consult or another trusted provider.

    Befriend and nurture yourself and your loved ones. My mother had a saying during times of grief “ life is meant for living. She would say that the person who passed would want us to enjoy life and with sigh and a heavy heart would get on with it. Let’s honor all those whose lives have ended prematurely due to the pandemic, suicide, and other means by savoring and celebrating life!

    I found a beautiful song with the title “ Life is Meant for Living. Enjoy:)

    May my life be fully lived, every day as if my last to live, hands for holding, love to give, life is meant for living.

    Image credit: Kelsey Chance, www.unsplash.com

  • Pandexit

    Pandexit

    Are you feeling brain fog, fatigue or lack of motivation? Or maybe you feel energy again, giddiness after walking with a friend without a mask or adrenaline after eating at a restaurant after you’ve been fully vaccinated. Many have anxiety about re-emerging and being around other people.

    Welcome to the “pandexit”, the final phase of the pandemic coined by the self-described Nerdy Girls from a wonderful resource called “Dear Pandemic”. You can find their posts on social media as well.

    I’m happy to report it’s all normal!  We’ve been through a collective trauma this past year and half so how we emerge will be very unique to each one of us.

    Image credit: Zachary Nelson, www.unsplash.com

    The good news is the body/mind likes to be healthy, happy and connect with others.

    The good news is the body/mind likes to be healthy, feel happy and connect with others. That’s our natural state. Given the right conditions, you will hopefully regain your energy, anxiety will become less and less as we allow ourselves some freedom as restrictions are lifted. Of course depending on your vaccination status, you will need to weigh your risks with certain activities. So, what are those right conditions?

    How To Recover from Long Term Stress:

    • Sleep!  Go to bed early, sleep in a cold dark room, limit screen time 2 hours prior to bed time or wear blue light filtering glasses.
    • Exposure:  Start slow at socializing if you feel anxious at the thought. Walk with another vaccinated friend outdoors – super safe! Have a meal outdoors with a group. Stretch but not too much out of your comfort zone. We are wired for and crave connection so you will literally be swimming in feel-good neuro-chemicals that will help you feel at ease and wanting more.This will help you build up slowly.
    • Movement:  If you are exhausted, over-exercising will just keep you in a stress response so rather than running, choose walks in nature or bike rides. Add a friend or two to boost your mood.
    • Mindful breathing: Just becoming aware of the breath helps you connect with your body and your nervous system. It naturally slows down. If you are anxious you can be more intentional and inhale to a count of 4 and exhale to a count of 6 to turn off the stress response. Stress becomes a habit that we aren’t even aware of. Tuning into your breath several times/day helps to create new neural pathways.
    • Savor!  We have had over a year of alarming headlines and stories. What next?? We have become hyper vigilant and focused on the negative. This is a normal response from the brain that wants to keep you safe. We can re-wire this pattern with intentional savoring. When doing your daily activities, simply notice something beautiful or joyful or anything that makes you happy. Notice it for 20-30 seconds to actually create those new pathways in the brain and nervous system. Stop and enjoy simple moments during your day. Keep a savoring journal.  Think of those moments at night before you sleep for even more effect.
    • Nutrition: Opt for nutrient dense fruits and vegetables, good sources of protein, and stay away from sugar and the uppers (caffeine) and downers (alcohol) too  many people have gotten hooked on this past year and half. Everything you eat and drink is energy and information that directs every cell of your body. Nurture yourself with the best food possible!
    • Compassion for self and others: This has been a difficult year for everyone. Allow yourself to feel those feelings and give space to others to process theirs. Fatigue and sluggishness may be signs there are emotions that haven’t been processed.

    What to do if symptoms remain? Please send me a message or schedule a free consult. Or seek professional help with a mental health provider or physician if symptoms of depression and anxiety or extreme fatigue remain.

    I don’t think life will ever go back to what it was. Good thing or bad thing? Who knows?  I do believe that the universe is evolving and expanding towards growth and love. With that in mind perhaps some reflection questions would be helpful as you re-emerge so you can use this opportunity to create a life that better aligns with you:

    1. What loss did you experience in the past year?
    2. What new habits or gifts emerged or unexpected blessings?
    3. What changes have you noticed about yourself?
    4. What changes do you want to make permanent, what changes need some loving attention?
    5. What do you want to include again that you really missed?

    “And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.”  Meister Eckhart.

    Please check out my YouTube channel and Insight Timer for free meditations!

    Photo credit: www.unsplash.com Ekaterina Shakharova