SURVIVE ELECTION ANXIETY. SELF-CARE FOR ELECTION WEEK. 21 DAY CHALLENGE
We are all suffering election anxiety. It robs us of clarity and can manifest as a restless state or exhaustion and numbing. How can we let go of this anxiety and embody safety from inside out for ourselves and for those around us?
The ancient healing tradition of Medical Taoist Qigong developed over thousands of years, teaches us that we can befriend our nervous system and experience safety and peace through gentle contemplative movements.
I am sharing with you in this video two powerful movements from that healing tradition.
The fist movement, "Separating Clouds", is extremely effective for letting go of what is burdening you. It is a favorite one of all my students. I know you will love it too. Try it. Practice at home, in nature, while walking in your neighborhood. You'll be amazed at how simple and effective it is. Share it with your loved ones, students and anyone who might be open to receive it.
The second movement, "Opening the Bow" will give you a sense of freedom and relaxed focusing. It benefits your lungs, heart, liver and spleen; and helps counteract the corresponding emotions that weaken these vital organs. According to Traditional Chines Medicine, lungs are weakened by grief and sadness, heart is affected by betrayal and over excitement, liver is weaken by anger and spleen is affected by worrying and rumination.
Yes. We are experiencing all of these emotions in these distressing times. Emotions are not bad. The problem is when we get stuck on them. Of course, there are plenty of triggers right now to feel overwhelmed by your thoughts and emotions. It is good we care... But just worrying we are not changing the situation at all, and we are making ourselves sick, anxious or numb.
Because we care, we need to take care of ourselves so that we can be available to ourselves and others for the long run. As Thich Nhat Hanh, beloved Buddhist teacher, said: “When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive."
I invite you to keep learning how shift from being scared to experiencing safety and how to share it with others. Practice these two powerful movements several times a day, and take a moment to notice the calmness you experience with them. Feel free to share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Together we are supporting each other.
See you in the next video