1. Breath

The basic of basic, when I’m feeling myself starting to spin out, the first thing I do is come back to my breath. Breathwork is a form of meditation, but even taking one conscious breath is enough sometimes to shift me out of fight, flight or freeze. There are endless breathing techniques to try out and many apps and ways to find them, but I’ll share one here. When I need a moment, I inhale to my full capacity slowly, hold for about three seconds and then extend my out breath for as long as I can, making it longer than my inhale. Doing this a few times gives me some space to process and come back to my center. Try this while driving or next time you’ve noticed you’ve come away from your center.

2. Food

Michael Pollen said “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants” and I agree with this wholeheartedly. I personally have journeyed along as a vegan, pescatarian and now I am an omnivorous maphist (yes, that’s a thing, it means I choose not to eat mammals). 

I think that there is absolutely NOT one diet that is suitable for everyone. In my coaching practice I help folks find their own ideal “food friends”, if that is something they are interested in exploring (For more info on offerings, click here). I am not here to tell anyone what to eat. However, in my personal experience when I consume plenty of high quality whole foods and limit my intake of processed and chemical laden foods, I feel much better and more energized in my body, mind and spirit. If you’d like some delicious plant based recipes, leave a comment below!

3. Oils

Essential Oils have been a huge part of my healing and wellness journey. I always carry three oils with me no matter what and those are peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus. There are so many benefits to using essential oils but I use them for an instant state change. When I find myself in a state of unease, a quick whiff of any of those magical three and I’m transported to a better mood instantly. I also use them all over my home but they are most used as plant allies in my purse! More info on essential oils, click here. 

4. Community

We are social animals! Somewhere I heard that we are supposed to be giving/receiving TWELVE hugs a day. I don’t know about you but I’m not reaching that most days. We all know that friends make life better but it can be hard to prioritize meeting up with our busy schedules for sure. I find that when I interact with my supportive and upbeat “tribe” regularly I am so much more mentally well. My dear ones and community are so important to me as an artist and as a person. 

Each week I make time to interact with my community at an open mic night. This is a space where creatives of all ages and backgrounds gather to share and honestly PLAY. 

Besides this I also make sure to “co-work” with friends at least once a week. Being self employed can be isolating at times and working alongside my friends who are partially or fully self employed is such a huge asset to my business and my overall health.

5. Chanting

Chanting is another way I stay grounded and bring myself around anytime I need a little reset moment in my day. Sometimes I chant fancy mantras in other languages and sometimes I literally just growl, but making vocalizations helps me. It is said that chanting can help to open up the throat chakra, I find that besides opening me, it immediately brings me into the present moment. Listen below to a recording of me chanting one of my favorite mantras and feel free to chant along. “Hari Ohm” is an ancient mantra that is said to erase suffering and connect you with universal consciousness. For more information click here. To listen to my first short album (of mostly mantras) click here.

Photo credit: Auraginal Photography (@auraginal_photography)