What is Reiki and How Can it Benefit You?

rei·ki

/ˈrākē/

noun

1.    a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body, and restore physical and emotional well-being.

      The word “Reiki” means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.” It comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life energy.

Like so many other alternative healing methods, Reiki practitioners have seen a rise in their business over the last 8-10 years. There is no doubt that some people are frustrated with traditional medicine when it fails to bring them relief. Many of those people have turned to alternative forms of healing, including Reiki. Many medical doctors have begun to accept these alternative forms of healing as wonderful compliments to traditional medicine, effectively treating the entire body, mind, and soul. "Reiki aids in healing by helping people become energetically balanced- physically, emotionally, mentally, and spritually," Reiki Master Victoria Bodner, LMT states.

The spiritual healing art of Reiki can give your body a boost where it is most needed. Practitioners send a powerful flow of positive energy into your body through touch. This flow of energy may bring near immediate sensations of relief. Reiki is known to be gentle yet regarded as a powerhouse healing method when it comes to reducing anxiety and stress. Stress causes a number of health issues including chronic headaches and fatigue.

When your body is able to let go of the stress it is holding on to, you might start to notice the following things happening:

·       A boot to your body’s natural  healing     mechanisms will help them to function more   effectively, thus increasing your immune   system strength

·      Potential reduced blood pressure, heart rate and   stress hormones

·      A shift from the stress response of “fight or flight” to a more relaxed response

·      A restoration of balance to your body, mind and soul.

In its long history of use, Reiki has aided in healing virtually every known illness and injury including problems like:

·       multiple sclerosis

·       heart disease

·       cancer

·       skin problems

·       cuts, bruises, broken bones

·       headaches

·       colds, flu, and sore throats

·       sunburn

·       fatigue and insomnia

·       impotence

·       poor memory

.       digestive issues

With virtually no side effects, it is highly beneficial and works to improve the effectiveness of all other types of therapy. If a client has a health condition, and wants to be treated with Reiki, it is recommended that they do so under the supervision of their medical doctor or other enlightened health care professional. Reiki can improve the results of all medical treatment, acting to reduce negative side effects, shorten healing time, reduce or eliminate pain, reduce stress, and help create optimism.

Reiki sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes. During the session, the client will lie down fully clothed as the Reiki practitioner gently places their hands on or just above the body in specific energy locations. This is not a massage and the healing session is completely reliant upon the practitioner.  There are no crystals or wands or any other vehicle of energy delivery other than the practitioner's hands. A series of 12-15 different hand positions may be used and the length of time in each position is determined by the flow of energy through their hands in each location.

Perhaps your journey is calling you to become a Reiki practitioner. Where do you start? The best place is to first be a client yourself. This will open your mind, body, and spirit up to the practice and the energy. No prior training, education, or experience is necessary to enter the Reiki attunement certification training. This attunement process requires a Reiki Master to transfer the energy and healing techniques to the student. While training may vary, one can expect to learn about the energies in the body, how to work with healing energy, and ethics of working with clients. There are also 5 key principals to Reiki that one must learn and try to master. They are:

         * Just for today, do not worry                

         * Just for today, do not anger

         * Just for today, be grateful

         * Just for today, be honest

         * Just for today, be compassionate

Preparation for attunement may include avoiding alcohol and caffeine for 3-5 days, meditation, time in nature and releasing negative emotions. There are three levels of mastery to become a Reiki Master.  Those who reach "Master" level will then be able to teach others and often develop the skill of remote healing. 

There are countless teachers and opportunities for reiki attunement certification. One of the beautiful things about the practice of Reiki becoming more prevalent and more widely sought out is that there is likely a Reiki Master within a reasonable distance to study with.

Whether you are looking for a complimentary treatment to your existing medical care or you simply need a boost to your system, Reiki may be the answer.  The world needs more healers. Is this part of your journey?

*Please speak with your physician before trying alternative forms of healing.  Reiki and other forms of alternative healing methods are not a substitute for seeing a medical doctor.  Please seek medical attention with a medical physician or practitioner for medical concerns.*

Crystals 101

Welcome to Crystals 101! 

A large portion of the general population will tell you that the use of crystals for anything other than a fashion statement is just a bunch of hocus-pocus. However, for those that are called to work with crystal energies, it is a completely different story. Formed over millennia within the belly of Mother Earth, crystals harness the energy of the sun, the moon, and the oceans. When this energy is released, the vibrations it creates can do wonderful things.

Crystals have been used for ages to dispel negative energies and act as protectors of our own energy. Black tourmaline not only absorbs negative energies but also repels it. Wearing this crystal is an added layer of spiritual protection. Selenite can quickly cleanse your aura. Crystals are also used for grounding our energies and to help with anxiety. Hematite, with its magnetic properties, will pull you back down to Earth as soon as you touch it. Blue lace agate has a dreamy blue hue that can quickly bring calmness just by looking at it.

If you are just beginning to work with crystals, try picking ones that "call to you" first as they are emitting an energy frequency that is already aligned with yours. Usually, these crystals are ones that you will always want to work with or one that you need in your life at that particular moment.  The ones that we are "meant to work with" are much like that of an animal totem. You can become so attuned to the energy of that crystal, that you can call it to you without actually having it on your person.  If it is a crystal you need for that moment in life, maybe it is meant to bring you peace and calm or help you to heal a broken heart. Let the crystal do its work. 

You can use crystal energy to help manifest your intentions and what you want to create in your life. Crystals pick up on your unique energy. Holding one in your palm while thinking about what you would like to bring forth in your life will program the crystal to that intention. This energy continues to connect with you when placing them in your immediate environment. Every time you bring that intention to mind, the crystals pick up on your energy and will amplify the positive vibes that you’re cultivating.  Green aventurine and pyrite are geat stones for manifesting wealth and financial prosperity.  Try rose quartz to bring in more love and is a wonderful healer.  I suggest getting a book on crystals and their properties.  The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian or The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall are both great choices. 

When you are more adept with crystal use and their energies, you can begin to work with crystal grids.  These grids can be for any number of things. In a grid, you may bring together a few types of crystals in a sacred geometry pattern to combine their energies and thus helping to facilitate the working.  You can create your own pattern or use a template. It is easy to find printable ones online or purchase a really nice one on Etsy. Use amethyst, clear quartz, and turquoise for a healing grid.  Utilizing the energies of obsidian, smoky quartz, and black tourmaline, you have yourself one hell of a protective grid. 

Since crystals hold a vibration and charge of their own and can easily pick up on your own energy, they can help to align your chakras. They do this by clearing away blockages so that energy can flow freely between these points within your body. Each chakra has its own vibration so it is important to choose a crystal that will correspond with that chakra’s energy. Generally, “the color rule” holds true for healing the chakras with crystals. Look for crystals that are the same color as the one that is assigned to that chakra. For example, the heart chakra is green so stones like jade, green calcite, and green tourmaline work great. You can also set up a grid arranged in the chakra order with the corresponding crystals to do a full alignment. 

Crystals can easily fit into your everyday life to bring about change, calm anxiety, help with grounding, or help you better attune to your spirit guides.  I typically have a least one on my person, usually in my bra, haha. I know I'm not the only one that stashes them there!  I have a couple of them on my desk at work and they are throughout my home to bring in love, tranquility, and protection. If you're not out of the broom closet yet, you can still use the energy of crystals such as wearing them in jewelry or keeping one in your pocket or purse, or hidden under your bed or couch at home. 

It takes a conscious effort to open your heart and mind to the power of crystals, but once you do, you are sure to find unique crystals that will ROCK your world.

Balancing Your Spiritual Energy

                                           

For all of us witches, energy workers, empaths, and other highly sensitive people out there, if your spiritual energy becomes unbalanced, you will begin to feel it. These imbalances can eventually manifest into very real physical symptoms.  If you are getting sick often, continually have an upset stomach, struggle with anxiety and/or depression, or suffer from adrenal fatigue, these issues, and many more can be linked to manifestations of energetic imbalances.  As my High Priestess would say, "Is this a physical manifestation of an energetic problem?" 

Your energy centers, or chakras, need loving care, just like the rest of you. There is a

multitude of ways to balance each one individually but for today, let’s focus on the whole. Tried and true, these simple workings can make a big difference for your overall spiritual and energetic health.

* Breathwork: The simple act of sitting still and focusing on your breath can do wonders when it comes to realigning your spiritual energy. When you concentrate on the breath, it gets you out of your head, bringing attention to the feeling of the body. It also helps to release tension and pent up emotions. When we can release, it naturally brings us back to our center.  There are many downloadable sessions out there or printouts that will walk you through the different exercises. 

* Meditation: Take the breathwork a step further and sink into a meditation.  A deep meditation is highly restorative as it brings you to your true self. Let all of those thoughts and troubles slip away for just a while.  You simply exist as pure awareness in those moments and this allows the energy centers to purge and heal themselves. Meditation can also be used to unblock specific chakras as well as ground our overall energy.

* Yoga: Like breath work, yoga is a concentration on the breath but taken even further as it is applied to movement, stretching, and holding poses. It too gets you out of your head and into your body. The unique combination of poses and breath work can unblock your energy centers, releasing the vital life force, or prana and thus helping to realign your spiritual energy. You can attend a class or practice within your own home.  There are apps and streaming available for various forms of yoga as well as those sequences that focus on the chakras. 

* Nature walks: Walking within nature fosters mindfulness of the earth beneath your feet, the air that you breathe, and the natural sounds around you. When you are focused on the trail in front of you, the sounds and smells of Mother Earth, and even animal friend encounters, it gets you out of your head.  Studies have shown that a connection with nature is one way to reduce stress, and other harmful emotions, as well as ground your energy.  This helps to keep you mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy while also realigning your spiritual energy. 

Music: Music, tones, and chanting can be utilized to balance the chakras.  Each one responds to a specific sound-healing frequency known as solfeggio frequencies. These frequencies make up an ancient 6-tone scaled used in sacred music and chanting. Music or sounds that generate these vibrations help balance and assist with the flow of energy and bring you back into balance. You can listen to these tones or chanting but I have found that when I follow along and chant myself, it brings about greater changes within my energy field. Tibetan singing bowls are another tool that creates a frequency to unblock the energies of the chakras.

Being aware of and taking your energetic health into your own hands is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  These simple yet very effective methods will help you ensure your spiritual energy stays balanced.  Take care!

Alright, STOP... Meditate and Breathe

If you are one of those people that believe that meditation is for Buddhist monks and yogis, you need to reevaluate your thinking. Meditation gained popularity among the everyday crowd once they began to learn of its benefits.  For us witches, shamans, empaths, energy workers, and other sensitives, a regular meditation practice is highly beneficial and has been used for centuries.

The foremost reason that sensitives should begin a regular mediation practice would be to reduce stress and/ or anxiety.  For energy workers, these are often symptoms that we take on from other people or as a result of our hypersensitivity to our environment.  By reducing stress and anxiety, one can also lessen the symptoms of other medical conditions associated with them. Studies have shown a reduction in stress-related conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fibromyalgia among those with a habitual meditation practice. They have also shown reductions in blood pressure, social anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. When we can reduce our stress and anxiety, we will find that our sleep patterns also benefit from this. Those that practice regular meditation reported falling asleep quicker and staying asleep longer which resulted in a more restful night’s sleep, more energy, and an overall better mood. 

Meditation also promotes self-awareness and mental health. Meditation can help you develop a stronger understanding of yourself, helping you grow into your best self. Some meditative practices teach you to recognize thoughts that may be harmful or self-defeating. When you gain awareness of your thought habits, you can then steer them toward more constructive patterns. If you are able to reduce negative or self-defeating thought patterns, depressive episodes may lessen.  One study followed 18 volunteers as they practiced meditation for over three years. The study found that the participants had notable long-term decreases in depression. Another study compared the electrical activity within the brain of individuals that practiced meditation and those that did not.  Those who meditated showed measurable changes in activity in the areas related to positive thinking and optimism.

It has been shown that meditation can lengthen attention span and may help reduce age-related memory loss. Focused-attention meditation is like weight lifting for your attention span.  It helps to increase the strength and endurance of your attention. One study showed that human resource workers that regularly practiced meditation stayed focused on a task longer than those co-workers that did not. It also showed that those that were meditating remembered details of their tasks better than those that were not. Improvements in attention and clarity of thinking may keep your mind young, which in turn can combat age-related memory loss. Kirtan Kriya is a method of meditation that has proven in multiple-age related memory loss studies to improve the participants’ ability to perform memory-related tasks.

On a metaphysical level, going within during meditation can help you to unlock your subconscious. It can show you your fears, help you to open up to your dreams, show you what needs to be healed within you, and better connect you with your own strength and power.  It 

can also awaken your psychic abilities and your own inner guidance.  Meditation is also a way to connect to the Divine.  You may receive messages from Spirit, the Universe, guides, angels, or animal and plant totems.  Being able to connect to these energies is vital to a magickal practice.  Set your intention before you begin your meditation and ask for guidance.  Meditation may also need to be a part of your ritual or spellwork.  It can also serve to ground and center you before beginning your workings.  

If you have tried meditation and are one of those that say, "Oh, I can't' meditate. I've tried and I cannot empty my mind," DO NOT GIVE UP.  There is a reason why it is called a "practice".  You must continue to try and regularly, if I may add, to get into that meditative state.  The more you do it, the more proficient you will become.  If you have ever daydreamed then you have entered an altered state of awareness.  I am pretty sure that I'm not the only one that has daydreamed. The only difference is that meditation is more of a guided experience as opposed to simply drifting.  Another important note, not every meditation is filled with messages, images, or magick.  Let go of those expectations.  Sometimes the messages come later. 

Witches, Shamans, healers, and energy workers have used meditation for centuries.  Along with all of its health benefits, it connects us to ourselves, the beyond, and to Spirit.  Blessed Be...

Wild Child Lost

                                                              The Wild Child

When you're the girl that is always barefoot, can be found tromping through the creek during the summer, and more than likely running around with a reptile or insect of some sort, you quickly earn the titles "wild child" and "tomboy".  I was always "that" girl.  The one that her grandmother had to explain to the reason why she could no longer run around outside without a shirt on during the hot days just before starting Kindergarten.  The one that excitedly brought in toads, grass snakes, and a variety of insects to show the adults.  The one that would lie down on the back patio at night during the summer when the tarantulas were out so that I might get lucky and one would crawl on me.

I was never one that was content to be inside.  If the weather was permitting, and truthfully, lots of times when the adults said it wasn't, you would find me outside.  The Texas heat never seemed to bother me as a child nor did the cold or the rain.  It was almost like I was completely impervious to the weather.  Being outside was going home as opposed to the indoors that just felt stifling.  If I wasn't outside, I wasn't happy.  There are times that I remember simply sitting in the dirt and just "being".  I would listen to all of nature's sounds and see how many I could identify.  I was a true wild child.  Bare feet caked with mud, dirt under my fingernails, and my hair a tangled mess.  Yep.  That was me.

I lived every day for those simple childhood pleasures, the ones we took for granted back then.  Remember what if feels like to squish mud between your toes or the feeling of the sun on your face as you lie in the cool grass?   What about sitting under a big shade tree looking at picture books, reading them as you got older, or even climbing that tree?  How about being out all day playing and then begging to stay out just a little longer for dusk so that you could see the fireflies?  Making mud pies, digging up earthworms, and playing with rolly pollies,  that was where my little heart was happy and my soul was calm.  It was an aching, desperate need that I never could get enough of.

                                          The Disconnect From Nature

In my short 42 years, I have been witness to a huge disconnect from nature in society.   This is beginning with childhood and progressing from there. My need to be outside, immersed in nature has never diminished.  If anything, it has only gotten stronger over the years, however, I had to "grow up" and "act my age".  I remember hitting 6th grade and being shocked that there wasn't a "recess" time.  You spent all day inside the school (which eventually lead to anxiety for me but that's a topic for Part 2 of this post).  This is how it was from 6th grade until the day I graduated high school.  You didn't get any time to just simply sit outside and be.  If you played sports then there was, of course, time out of doors if that sport required it but the volleyball girls were content to run laps around the gym (thankfully I played tennis).  Any real, quality time that you got to be outside was to be done on your own time, weekends, and such.  Not many people I knew wanted that though.  Girls wanted to go to the mall and the boys were usually where the girls were.  I had obligations to attend to outside of school... homework, boyfriend, girlfriends, work, and chores at home.  Even with all of that, I still tried to find little ways to get in some time outside.  When the weather was nice, I would sit at a small table that I got at a second-hand store for the back patio to do homework.  I offered to mow the lawn for my parents just so I could have that precious hour in the sunshine.   Needless to say, my time with nature grew less and less the older I got.

The really scary thing is, most people don't realize that this is happening or if they do, they simply accept it as part of life, the "growing up process".  I keep asking myself how and why we let this happen.  Maybe we would like to forget where it is we came from.  While we are "so much more civilized" today, we are doing more harm to ourselves than good.  As we "grew up" we began to disengage from the natural world. We were once a people that spent the majority of our time outside in nature, being one with it, appreciating it, and letting it help us to provide for ourselves and our families.  How did it become a luxury to have enough leisure time to be able to play outside, hiking, camping or simply sitting and reading under that tree?  Maybe you plan a family vacation once a year to some outdoorsy type location but that does not give us the time outside that we need, that our bodies and souls crave on a level that we once understood but have somehow forgotten or choose to ignore.  Our need to feel evolved and civilized fuels this disconnect from nature, setting us back more than we realize.  We called the Native Americans savages because of the way they lived but in reality, they are the ones that still had it right.

Another huge contributing factor in the Nature Disconnect is our need to have more.  We want bigger homes, fancier cars and just more stuff in general.  Why does anyone NEED a closet that is as big as my childhood bedroom filled with clothing that they will probably never wear, shoes, purses, and other accessories?  The simple fact is that they don't, but feel like they do.  This means that someone is putting in more hours at the office to help pay for all of that.  More time at the office means less leisure time and in turn, less nature time.  I hear people say, "I would hike if I had more free time."  Meanwhile, I'm looking at their designer suit, $65,000 car and their 5,500 square foot house thinking, "Maybe if you weren't chained to your office to pay for all of your "needs", you would have more free time."  This is where that "luxury time" comes in.  What are people doing in the precious little time that they have away from work?  The "American Dream" has become the "American Greed".  I do want to make one thing clear here though, I in no way look down on those people that have large houses or drive fancy cars.  I am simply saying that you cannot state that you wish to have more time to be in nature and choose to remain chained to your desk.  We make time for the things that are truly important to us.

Our obsession with electronics and social media is yet another topic to acknowledge when discussing our disconnect from nature.  We somehow feel the need or urge to be connected all of the time.  The "connected" has become misplaced.  I make jokes about people having their cell phones surgically implanted if possible.  We can always be reached by phone, email, messenger apps, texts, ect.  We spend our weekends binge-watching the hottest shows on Netflix and our children can't go one day without the television or their tablets.  Yes, I had Saturday morning cartoons but I would watch my two favorites and then be outside for the rest of the day.  Yes, I watch television a couple of nights a week but the other nights, I spend time with my dog at the park or sitting outside reading.  I spend my weekends hiking, biking, and/or skiing.  Children, in general, spent way more time outside playing, getting dirty, riding bicycles, and just being children.  Now children are spending their time on the computer or attached to their gaming system.  We are using devices like IPads and our smartphones to keep our children happy while at the grocery store and then at home so that Mom or Dad can get work emails typed out on a Saturday afternoon when they should be engaging the kids in something outside instead.  While it is true that no one ever had to tell me to go

outside and play, the parents of today need to do a better job of encouraging their children to do just that.  I know this is a lot to ask considering the fact that those adults themselves are less engaged with nature. For many young adults and even those a bit older, nature has become nothing more than a hashtag, the perfect Instagram photo, or likes on Facebook.

                            The Need for Repairing the Nature Disconnect

While I understand that my need to be outside may be greater than that of the general population, I cannot be the only person that has suffered from the disconnect from nature.  Every one of us needs contact with nature in some way to be healthy and whole.  I cannot be the only person that is taking note of what is happening to us because of this.  Studies show a rise in depression and anxiety throughout society in general.  There is now scientific evidence that proves time in nature helps to heal.  It lowers anxiety, blood pressure, and helps with depressive episodes.  Providing help with these issues is just the beginning of what nature offers in the way of healing our minds, bodies, and souls.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Disconnect from Nature where I will be discussing the problems associated with the disconnect and how to help heal it and yourself.

Peace, Love, and Light.  Blessed Be.

 

** Please note that while I may discuss nature's ability to heal, I am not a licensed doctor or therapist.  Please seek professional medical help if you are experiencing depression or severe anxiety. **

Self-Care for Witches, Empaths and Other Sensitives

Self-Care for Witches, Empaths, and Other Sensitives

By now I am sure that most of you have heard the phrase, "If you don't take care of yourself first, you end up not being able to take care of anyone."  We all need a little self-care and I'm not just talking about bubble baths and expensive lattes.  Although those are both little ways in which we can nurture ourselves, for those of us that are highly sensitive, it goes well beyond that.  Our energy levels can be depleted quickly and we will have a harder time recovering from it if we are not practicing self-care.  These things do not have to be elaborate nor do they require an expensive all-out spa day. While self-care can be quite different from person to person, there are a few things that I have found to be useful and I feel that they could easily be applied to most individuals.

Grounding

There are many ways in which one can ground themselves and their energy.  Some can work immediately and others may take several minutes to take effect.  Below is a list of proven grounding techniques. It doesn't hurt to try them all out to see which one or combination is best for you.

     * Using crystals/ natural stones with grounding properties such as:

             * Hematite

             * Smoky Quartz

             * Shungite

             * Jasper, especially Red Jasper

             * Carnelian

             * Any other stones that stimulate the Root Chakra

   

 * Connecting with Mother Earth.  This can be done in several ways.  There's a reason why "Grounding" is also called "Earthing".  It can be as simple as placing your bare feet upon the Earth for a few minutes.  Sitting outside with your back against a tree is another great way to ground yourself.  If you have the time to commit, getting out for a hike is always helpful in connecting with Mother Earth.  Touch the trees as you pass by, pick up stones for examination, and take a few minutes just to stop, close your eyes and breathe in all of the nature smells around you.

 * Visualization.  This is the part where you envision a light coming down through your body and into the ground below you.  This is a process that typically takes a few minutes.  I have gotten particularly good at this one since it can be done anywhere and can usually achieve it within a minute and sometimes as little as 30 seconds.  If you're having trouble with this one, message me and I am happy to provide a guided service for you.

Cleansing

Taking the time to regularly cleanse your energy field and aura is a wonderful way to care for yourself and is imperative if you are highly sensitive.  Even with a protective shield in place, we can still absorb unwanted energy from other people and our environment.  This can be as simple as a mindful shower first thing in the morning in which you are envisioning the soap and water you are using to also cleanse your spirit as well as your physical body.  Water is highly restorative in this way.  A cleansing bath with candles and essential oils in the evening before bed is another way to use water's healing properties.  Creating a sacred space that is just for you is highly recommended for any other types of energy work you might try such as chakra balancing and cleansing meditations.  Using sage to smudge yourself within this sacred space is yet another way you can cleanse your energy field while also keeping your space free of negative energy. 

Physical Care

Taking care of your physical self better equips you for taking care of your emotional self.  Yes, I get that some of you may not be workout fiends and that is perfectly okay.  However, some type of daily movement is necessary to keep the home of our spirit in shape.  It will also help to expel any excess energy that may be lingering about.  There are simple ways to make this happen.  Here are a few:

     * Simple step counting with a pedometer (if you have an iPhone, the health app automatically tracks your steps for the day).  Be mindful of how many steps you are taking in a day.  If you have a sedentary job, make a conscious effort to take more steps by using the stairs vs. the elevator or parking at the end of the grocery store lot.  While these are not Zumba equivalent, it certainly beats doing nothing. 

     *  If your job allows, maybe take a walk at lunchtime, or if not, just take a light stroll through the neighborhood after dinner.  

      

     * Yoga (and/or Pilates) is great for the mind and the body and can help to clear your energy all on its own.

     * Get on a bicycle.  This is a fun and easy way to cruise your neighborhood and it gets you more active.  Install a basket on your bike so that if you only have a few things to buy, you can take it to the store instead of the car.

Taking care of the physical self also includes things like eating well and as silly as it may seem, staying well hydrated.  For those of you that detest water, try using an infuser to add fresh fruit flavor or even carbonated water with fruit flavor.  Green and herbal teas are yet another way to hydrate that is also good for you.  Limiting added sugar and processed food items will keep your body happy.  It is okay to indulge every now and then but it is best to eat a simple, well-balanced, and healthy diet on a daily basis. 

Don't forget to include sleeping well when making a list of ways to care for your body.  Getting proper rest will ensure that your body has a way of recharging itself.  Our physical, mental, and emotional health definitely suffer when there is a constant lack of sleep. Set up an evening routine so that your body can wind down.  Try to avoid doing work while in bed or in the bedroom period.  It creates an energy in the room that is not conducive to a good night's sleep.  Also, limit television and other electronic devices before bed.  Skip the e-reader and go with an old-fashioned book if your nightly routine includes reading.   

Self-Acknowledgement

This topic is probably the most important of them all and yet it is one of the hardest to live by.  Why?  Because we often overlook our own feelings, pain, trauma, ect. in order to live out our daily lives.  We feel like we cannot get too wrapped up in our own issues because:

      1) it's selfish.  Okay, first of all, it is never selfish to take care of yourself (unless you're spending crazy money that you don't have while your family suffers.  That is more self-indulgence and not self-care).  Remember that you must take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.  Eventually, you wear yourself down so much that it will become nearly impossible to keep functioning at a level that is beneficial to others.

      2) it's time-consuming.  Well, maybe, but so what?  This is for the betterment of you and your entire being.  It is worth the time it takes, I promise.  And you know the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

     

      3) it hurts and is often complicated.  Yes, it may hurt and some of it may be very complicated.  Try tackling the easier stuff first.  That way you're at least taking baby steps.  If you can see progress there, then moving on to the harder stuff won't seem so daunting.  Find someone you can talk things through with whether it is a family member, spouse, friend, or a therapist.  Sometimes, just having that person that you know you can tell anything to is a relief in itself.

  

     4) there's a fear of not being able to put it back in the bottle once it's out.  This may very well be true.  The real question is, will there be any benefit to you by bottling it back up?  Likely, the answer is no.  I understand that you may want to "repack" some of those more complicated issues but, guess what?  The universe may not let you and YOU HAVE TO BE OK WITH THAT.  If it cannot be put back into its neat little bottle, then that just means it is truly time to deal with it. 

You need to take time to acknowledge what is going on within your being.  Talk to yourself.  Don't deny your pain, your feelings, or your baggage.  Dealing with these issues will take you a long way on the road of self-care to self-healing. 

Just a Few More...

There are a few other ways to practice self-care: 

* The simple art of mindfulness is one.  Be in that moment, right then.  Try eating mindfully, relishing every bite, all of the textures and flavors.  

* Set reminders to go off throughout the day that causes you to pause a moment and just breathe.

* DO indulge every now and then.  Order the dessert, save up for those boots you've been eyeing, get the expensive latte instead of your normal home-brewed java, you pick! Whatever it means to you to indulge a bit, don't be afraid of it.

* Set aside time every week that is "your time".  Start with an hour a week and try scheduling more from there.  If you're a busy mom running around like crazy, that may mean splitting that time up into increments, which is fine as long as you're sticking to it.  Let everyone in the house know when that time is scheduled to ensure that you get your quiet, alone time.  

Those of us that are sensitive or that are constantly working with energy, like my fellow empaths and witches, are more prone to becoming drained than others.  It is imperative that we nurture ourselves.  We cannot continue to help those that we are supposed to if our own energy levels are depleted.  This makes for unfinished healing sessions, half-assed spells, and poor quality energy work in general.  When you complete a session or ritual, check-in with yourself.  Do you need to do a quick grounding exercise or do you need to go home and sage?  Be realistic with how you are doing.  Self-care is an everyday thing.  Take the time that is needed to keep yourself well and everyone wins in the long run.

Peace, Love, and Light.  Blessed Be.