Energy Medicine for Mama’s: A Self-Care Toolkit for Stressful Times

To paraphrase the first line of the pamphlet, “Common Sense,” written in 1776 by American Revolutionary writer and activist, Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try our souls.”  These words are particularly appropriate as we deal with the new realities brought upon us by recent events. Whether it’s racial violence, societal unrest, the coronavirus or economic hardships, many of us are likely feeling anxious, depressed, and isolated.

What is the lesson in this pain?

Though the price we are paying seems high, it helps to remember that we, as a society and as individuals, are learning and growing to a very large degree from all that is occurring. And part of that learning is becoming aware of better ways to take care of each other and ourselves. In this article, I will be sharing some exciting Energy Medicine-based tools that will help you to better manage stress and anxiety. These are gentle and natural techniques that we can keep in our self-care toolkit, and share with our children long after this crisis has passed.

What happens when we experience stress?

When we’re experiencing stress or trauma, our bodies naturally enter into a state often referred to as the “fight or flight mode.” In this state, a chemical reaction in our bodies makes sure that more blood is pumped into our arms and legs than into our forebrain. This is our body’s ancient strategy to ensure we can use our optimal strength to either run or fight. Unfortunately, this same reaction limits our capacity to think and make well-thought-out decisions. And nowadays, that’s often the opposite of what we need when we encounter stressful situations.

In this “new normal,” the number of people experiencing stress-related symptoms has increased exponentially. To cope with mental health issues related to pandemic and societal tensions, more and more people are turning to prescription antidepressant and antianxiety medications. While medication may be necessary in some cases, fortunately for most of us, there are alternative ways to naturally and gently deal with stress and alleviate anxiety, without the unwanted and detrimental side-effects medications may have. One of these ways is by utilizing simple yet powerful Energy Medicine techniques.

What is Energy Medicine?

Donna Eden, one of the world’s most prominent Master Energy Healers and founder of The Eden Method, firmly believes that one can relieve stress and anxiety naturally and without medication, through the use of Energy Medicine techniques.

Modern Energy Medicine techniques are drawn from time-honored traditions such as acupuncture, yoga, kinesiology, Reiki and qigong. Through use of these techniques,  flow, balance, and harmony of energies can be non-invasively restored and maintained by tapping, massaging, or connecting specific energy points (as in meridian tapping and acupuncture/acupressure); by tracing or swirling the hand over the skin along specific energy pathways, and/or by surrounding an area with healing energies (as in Reiki and other healing modalities); through exercises or postures designed for specific energetic effects (as in yoga or qigong); and by focused use of the mind to move specific energies (as in mindfulness and guided meditations).

How do our bodies’ energies work?

Our bodies’ energies are a vital, living, moving force that affects our mental, physical and spiritual health and well-being. In order for our bodies to maintain vibrant health, our energies require space to move, and need to maintain optimal flow, often in specific patterns.  Our energies may lose their natural balance due to exposure to toxins, pathogens, physical injury, interference from other energies, prolonged stress or other conditions that keep specific energy systems in survival mode.

6 Energy Healing Techniques for Your Self-Care Toolkit!

When we are experiencing stress or trauma, self-care is essential to protect ourselves, and to help our energies recover from the toll stress can take. Utilizing tools that support us in taking better care of energies will not only improve our overall health and well-being, it will help us be more present for our partners, children, and those we love.

Below are video links that introduce you to 6 powerful Energy Medicine practices that can be added to your self-care toolkit. Taught by remarkable healers in the Energy Medicine field, these simple tools were designed to gently and naturally alleviate stress, enhance the immune system and restore balance in mind, body and spirit.

1. A Morning Energy Routine to Remove Stress

Donna Eden, renowned Energy Medicine teacher/healer, shows you how to strengthen and balance your body’s energies in order to process daily stresses and strengthen your immune system.

2. An Awareness Exercise to Find Faith by Trusting the Divine

New York Times bestselling author Iyanla Vanzant teaches how to bring awareness to your form in the present moment—physically, mentally, and energetically.

3. A Qigong practice to Awaken Your Three Qi Centers

Robert Peng, qigong master, shows how to activate the most important energetic junctions in your body. Starting with the brow and working down the body, Robert offers a seemingly simple practice with potent results.

4. A Visualization Exercise to Shift Patterns Around Overwhelm

Shamanic teacher HeatherAsh Amara shares a practice for dispersing stress-related energies in the body. She guides you through a visualization designed to help process and pass through overwhelming emotions.

5. A Tapping exercise to Lower Cortisol and Support Your Immunity

Dr. Dawson Church, tapping expert, teaches how to physically engage with and disperse stuck energy by tapping on specific meridian acupressure points. This is especially effective for dealing with anxiety and other heightened emotional states.

6. A Breathing Exercise to Interrupt Unresourceful Habitual Patterns

Lauren Walker, Energy Medicine Yoga creator, demonstrates how to enliven physical energy and move it through the body through breath, which will help you move beyond stuck patterns.

Additional ‘common sense’ self-care suggestions:

1. Stay informed, but periodically unplug from the media and tune into self-­care.
2. Be intentionally kind and gentle with yourself and others. Use positive self­-talk and positive attitudes, and talk to people you trust.
3. Stay spiritually grounded; depending on your beliefs, this may include prayer and/or mindfulness (see “Mindfulness Techniques for Stressed-Out Parents.”)
4. Get enough restful sleep to recharge your batteries.
5. Move your body by walking, stretching, dancing or doing some form of physical movement to release energy in a healthy way. 
6. Feed yourself healthy foods that energize the body. Avoid/minimize alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and excessive caffeine.
7. Ask for help. If you are experiencing an escalation of anxiety, talk to a professional who can help you through this difficult time. You can find a therapist and psychiatrist at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA.org).

“Be the change you wish to see…”

We cannot pretend that the present stress we are experiencing from the pandemic and societal tensions is a good thing. Yet, we may be learning valuable lessons from these ordeals. Our souls, which are surely being tried, may be growing stronger, wiser and deeper in spite of them. We have the opportunity now to be a part of the solution, first by taking responsibility for healing and changing our own energy, which can then, in turn, heal and shift the energy in our households, communities and beyond.

 

Part 2.  Energy Medicine For Children: A Toolkit for Troubled Times