9 different things i've been practicing every day, for a little over a year now, to regulate and heal my nervous system 𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
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Hey there, folks! Welcome back to SelfWife, the podcast where I embark on a journey to take care of myself like I've cared for others throughout my life. The title, 'Self wife,' is something I coined, inspired by the traditional societal role of a wife: giving, sacrificing, and supporting. However, I decided to turn these acts inward and nurture myself. I'm here to share my experiences, hoping to inspire you to do the same.
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Interestingly, when you start focusing on self-care, it seems to pop up more in your surroundings—a bit like the phenomenon of noticing yellow cars everywhere. The algorithms cater to such content, which is why I frequently post it. Many people are now emphasizing the importance of prioritizing self-love and self-care, particularly post-lockdown. We're disenchanted and ready for better lives. For me, the missing piece was self-centeredness, self-respect, and self-giving. I've been practicing these for the past year, making significant changes in my life.
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I've developed a unique set of daily practices to regulate my nervous system. Achieving inner peace was a recent breakthrough for me. I used to associate peace with boredom, but I've since grown to love it. Now, I'm content being alone with my thoughts, surrounded by nature, nurturing myself. I've learned to appreciate my own strengths and worth, rather than seeking validation from others. This is a lifelong commitment; I won't go back to my old ways. I am my own self-wife, and I'm here to stay.
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Today, I'm sharing my nine daily practices for regulating my nervous system. I understand that not everyone can devote time to all of these practices daily. I've been in a unique transitional period, restructuring my life. However, I want to emphasize that these practices are accessible and adaptable. Start with what resonates most with you, and don't feel pressured to do everything every day. Consistency matters more than quantity.
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I'll begin with the practices that have had the most immediate and noticeable impact on me. Please remember that these are practices I've been working on for over a year. You don't need to implement them all at once. Start with what intrigues you and build from there. My secret weapon for keeping these practices organized is the Habit Hub app. It allows me to track my progress and stay consistent.
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Somatic Shaking: This practice involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and shaking your arms while gently bouncing up and down. Do this for five minutes in the morning and at night. When I started, I felt an incredible sense of release and euphoria. Somatic shaking helped me tune into my body's needs and become more comfortable in my own skin. It's a physical practice that leaves you feeling different in a tangible way. I even use it to release frustration and overwhelm when needed.
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Please note that somatic shaking brought something to the surface for me—both emotionally and physically. It encouraged me to address issues and share them with others. While somatic shaking might not have the same effects on everyone, it's a practice that's worth trying, even if you're curious about its potential benefits.
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That's just the beginning of my daily practices, and there's much more to share. Stay tuned for the next installment as I explore other strategies to regulate my nervous system and promote self-care and self-love. Remember, it's about finding what works best for you and building from there.Top of Form
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I highly recommend exploring the practices I'm about to share, as they have personally helped me feel more balanced and relaxed. These practices are designed to promote physical and emotional well-being.
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Somatic Shaking: You can find videos about somatic shaking on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. This quick daily practice can be done once or twice a day for optimal results. Somatic shaking is excellent for stress reduction and may even help lower cortisol levels.
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The Big Six Lymphatic Drainage: Search for "The Big Six Lymphatic Drainage" on YouTube. This practice focuses on six specific points on your body that play a crucial role in draining the lymphatic system. Massaging and tapping these points in a specific order can help stimulate lymphatic flow. Doing this once a day is all you need to support your lymphatic system.
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EFT Tapping: I took an EFT tapping course on a website called DailyOM.com. This technique involves tapping specific points on your body to address stress and anxiety. While the effectiveness of EFT tapping varies from person to person, it can be relaxing, especially if done while watching TV or listening to something.
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Gua Sha: Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing method using a special stone. It's primarily used for lymphatic drainage in the face. You can find tutorials on YouTube or TikTok to learn how to do it yourself. Gua Sha can provide a sense of release and self-pampering.
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Acupressure Massage: Look up "acupressure for self" on YouTube. Integrative Medicine nurse Carol Joy offers a 48-minute video guiding you through a relaxing acupressure protocol. This practice involves squeezing and holding specific points on your body and can help regulate your nervous system.
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Hip Stretches: Trauma can be stored in our hips, making hip stretches beneficial for trauma release. You can find hip stretch routines on YouTube, TikTok, or platforms like DailyOM.com. Regular hip stretches can help release stored trauma and promote overall well-being.
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Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese healing practice that can be incredibly calming. Many Reiki practitioners offer sessions on TikTok or YouTube. Find a practitioner whose energy resonates with you and enjoy the calming and cleansing effects of Reiki.
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Self-Reiki: You can also practice Reiki on yourself. Learning the self-Reiki symbols and techniques can be done through courses or videos. Self-Reiki can be a quick and effective way to move energy through your body and promote emotional balance.
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These practices are diverse and can be tailored to your preferences and needs. Experiment with them to discover which ones work best for you and incorporate them into your daily routine. Remember that consistency is key in achieving long-lasting benefits. Enjoy your journey towards improved well-being!
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"I love it. Not a day goes by where I don't have Reiki on in the background at some point. It's readily available, and I feel a palpable difference during and after. It's become like a nice daily practice, akin to meditation, in my opinion. Another daily habit I've recently adopted in the past six months is grounding, which I'm really excited about. Ideally, you want to ground in grass or dirt with your bare feet connecting to the Earth. However, grass isn't accessible for everyone, and it wasn't always for me. In one of the houses I lived in Pasadena, we had a beautiful grass backyard. Every day, I would go out there, sit or lay in the grass, and feel connected to the Earth. It was blissful, but I also ended up with mosquito bites all over, so I had to stop grounding in the grass. That was a loss, as I enjoyed it so much.
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So, I looked into alternative grounding options. It's based on the idea that we are connected to the Earth and need to reconnect with it. It's almost like the 'go touch grass' insult, but it's actually rooted in science. There's a YouTube video by Clint Ober that I watched recently. He calls it 'earthing' or 'grounding,' and he has a lot of material on this topic. While it's not essential to watch his videos before trying grounding, I found it quite informative.
What's fascinating is that when I go outside, take off my shoes and socks, and put my feet on the Earth, I feel the energy moving through my body. I actually feel more energized. Clint Ober's theory is that grounding helps pull inflammation out of your body. The Earth has a negative charge that neutralizes the electrical charge in your body, similar to how electricity is grounded in our homes. He discusses the health benefits of connecting to the Earth in this way and recommends doing it for at least 30 minutes a day. I've been doing this since I've been in Nevada, but I wasn't aware of the recommended duration before.
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I used to combine meditation and grounding, which I found to be quite enjoyable. However, meditation isn't one of my nine daily practices. While it's supposed to regulate the nervous system, I don't find peace in it, possibly because I'm more of a kinesthetic learner who prefers moving my body. I recommend grounding wherever you have access to the Earth. You can do it in dirt as well, but I personally don't prefer that.
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When I discovered I was getting mosquito bites from grounding in the grass, I initially wasn't sure what was causing them. I even thought they might be bed bug bites because I wasn't used to dealing with mosquitoes in Pasadena. They're invisible and their bites are painful. I eventually realized it was the grass, but even after using bug spray, they still managed to bite me. So, if you're grounding in grass, be cautious and perhaps use bug repellent.
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Stone and rock are safe alternatives for grounding, and it's based on the same principle that makes crystals powerful. Crystals are pieces of the Earth, and they have grounding properties too. Holding a crystal can have grounding effects as well.
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I find grounding with rock or stone to be a safe and enjoyable practice. It's like connecting with the Earth, which is essential for pulling out inflammation and maintaining overall health. I'm more convinced of its benefits after experiencing the relief in my knee pain.
These are my nine daily practices, and I cycle through most of them each day. However, I don't do Gua Sha and EFT tapping every day. I want to emphasize that these practices, along with my other healing methods, have helped me regulate my nervous system. It's essential for my well-being, and I'm continually adapting and evolving as I heal and grow.Bottom of Form
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