HEALTH \\
Seven Sacred Practices for HEALING OVERWHELM
BY LISA A . MCCROHAN , MA , LCSW-C , RYT
My friend ’ s children ran past me as I opened the door for them . Their dad walked in behind them . After we said our “ hellos ” he shared with me , “ My head is spinning with everything that ’ s going on in our country . But I can ’ t look away ! It ’ s overwhelming .”
“ Yes , it is ,” I told him .
The news is everywhere , and it ’ s difficult to look away . How do we stay involved and informed and yet not get overwhelmed ?
I hear this in Somatic Psychotherapy and Compassion Coaching . I see it on social media . I have felt it myself , too .
So , here is my advice for sacred practices to heal the overwhelm you may be feeling .
1 . Nourish your senses . Our senses are on overload . Our minds are decision-fatigued . Little breaks of tending to our senses through an embodiment practice can be so deeply nourishing and supportive for our overwhelmed and frazzled nervous systems . ( View this video I created on how to take a Sensory Break : https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = yRZGQ2FUT6M )
2 . Go outside . Walk . Feel yourself breathing fresh air . Be in the quiet of nature .
3 . Practice gentleness . Every day , I am more and more convinced that gentleness heals . It is the healing balm for sadness , shame and grief , within us and between us . It heals and opens the heart so we may breathe and live more fully .
4 . Take the “ longer view .” “ The long view ” is not popular in our “ quick-fix ” society , but it is necessary to remember that we do our part and pass our ethics down to our children .
5 . Learn to pause — or even learn to meditate ! We need these little sacred pauses in our day . Silence and stillness nourish us . We can see joys and sorrows as waves and as part of this human experience — and extend compassionate spaciousness to what arises .
6 . Notice delight . Delight softens , strengthens and opens us in a gentle , nourishing way . There is a profound power to notice the “ everyday delights .” Make it simple . Look around the room where you are right now . Notice what delight is right here at your fingertips . Got a picture in your mind and heart ? Notice what is delightful about it .
7 . Start your day with a blessing and teach your children to do the same . In my new self-study course , Regarding Our Girls : Feminine Embodiment Practices to Empower , Uplift and Connect with Our Daughters , I share the Embodiment Blessing that can so easily be weaved into your everyday life and that you can teach to your children . ( Find it at lisamccrohan . com .)
These seven sacred practices for healing the overwhelm go a long way in nourishing your nervous system and helping you to restore that sense of inner vibrancy . When you teach these practices to your children , you are equipping them with life-long mindfulness and compassion-based practices . This will support them and keep them grounded , prevent overwhelm , and keep their minds clear so they can focus on what matters most to them .
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Lisa A . McCrohan , MA , LCSW-C , RYT is a mom , psychotherapist , yoga teacher , soulful artist and compassion coach . Her life ’ s work is about inspiring delight , compassion and connection in our everyday lives . She facilitates mindfulness-based wellness workshops for faculty and staff at Georgetown University and offers counseling , coaching and workshops in Frederick , Md ., where she lives with her family . Find out more at lisamccrohan . com .
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