Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.
~~ Mary Oliver
Greetings to all my precious people!!
My mini summer sabbatical is underway and it seems I am not well practiced in the “being mode” versus “doing mode”. Despite having a daily practice of meditation and qigong, there is still evidence of ‘busy-ness’ that feels hardwired in my brain. It is a very humbling reckoning!! The escape to the shoreline of Connecticut offered me glimpses of emotions, dreams, and memories, all waiting to be seen, heard, and acknowledged ‘when there was time’. So I am grateful for the opportunity to choose to listen to the whispers of ‘if not now, when?’ and I encourage all of you to consider the same. While our habits and routines of daily life keep us on track and serve us, there is something magical about being away from obligations and responsibilities – even for a short time.
A sabbatical (from the Hebrew: שַׁבָּת Šabat (i.e., Sabbath); in Latin sabbaticus; Greek: sabbatikos σαββατικός) is a rest or break from work; “an extended period of time intentionally spent on something that’s not your routine job”. We tend to think of a sabbatical in academic terms, as a year free from teaching duties that can be devoted to research, travel, and writing. But the origins of sabbatical and Sabbath are related to the biblical day of rest and can be traced to the Greek word sabbaton, meaning rest.
The sabbatical incorporates mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual rejuvenation, and all these levels require attention and restoration, especially during the ultimate Yang moments of Summer.
The Heart is the main organ associated with summer and it is crucial to keep it nourished and well-tended. The Heart’s main function is to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mental activity, known as Shen, is also associated with the Heart. Often compared to our mind, the Shen goes deeper to include our thought processes, memory, consciousness, and emotional well-being.
Going outside and engaging your senses is an easy way to nourish the Heart. A technique known as “grounding” has been gaining popularity over the past decade, and science shows that it can be very beneficial. Walk outside and stand in the grass while barefoot. The energy from the earth is incredible, and it can be very healing. While you’re there, listen to the sounds of nature and enjoy the fragrances of the flowers. Taking in the experience with all your senses can be very grounding and create a calming effect on the mind and body. Consider following the 15 minutes of Qigong practice for the Fire Element (Heart) to nourish and support your Heart during this summer season:
OVERWHELM: “bury or drown beneath a huge mass” (Oxford dictionary).
Especially during the summer season, when our Hearts are in full opening, feelings of overwhelm can easily disturb us. Overwhelm is a state of being deeply affected, mentally and emotionally, by an excessive amount of stress or information. It can arise from various sources, such as work, personal responsibilities, emotional challenges, or any combination of such. The implications of overwhelm can be significant, impacting both mental and physical health, as well as productivity and overall well-being.
We often forget that the first sign of overwhelm, which contributes to a dysregulated nervous system, is NOT chronic pain, or digestive disturbance. It is NOT an annoying skin condition and it is NOT a panic attack. Instead, a dysregulated nervous system starts when you are overwhelmed by the smallest tasks. It is the hypervigilance of worry when your mind is racing when you want to be sleeping. It is the constant tension in your neck and shoulders, and the inability of the muscles to release and let go. It is the clenching of your jaw and the grinding of your teeth. It is the dull headache that just lingers.
Constant overwhelm can present with the following symptoms:
😓 Anxiety, panic attacks
😓 Neck and shoulder pain, chronic pain
😓 TMJ pain and jaw clenching
😓 Sleep problems
😓 Traumatic stress
😓 Chronic fatigue
😓 Post-viral syndromes
😓 Stress and anxiety-related gut issues like IBS, nausea, vomiting, constipation
😓 Rosacea, eczema, hives, and other stress-related skin conditions
Here are some key implications:
Mental and Emotional Implications
- Stress and Anxiety: Chronic overwhelm can lead to persistent stress and anxiety, which can interfere with daily functioning and overall quality of life.
- Burnout: Prolonged periods of overwhelm can result in burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment.
- Depression: In severe cases, chronic overwhelm can contribute to depression, marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.
- Cognitive Impairment: Overwhelm can affect cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making, making it difficult to focus and complete tasks effectively.
Physical Implications
- Sleep Disturbances: Stress and anxiety related to overwhelm can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or poor-quality sleep.
- Physical Health Issues: Chronic stress can contribute to a range of health problems, including cardiovascular issues, weakened immune function, and gastrointestinal problems.
- Fatigue: Constantly feeling overwhelmed can lead to physical and mental fatigue, reducing energy levels and the ability to engage in daily activities.
Social and Professional Implications
- Decreased Productivity: Overwhelm can hinder productivity and performance, making it difficult to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
- Impaired Relationships: Emotional and mental strain can affect personal and professional relationships, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and social withdrawal.
- Avoidance and Procrastination: To cope with overwhelm, individuals might resort to avoidance or procrastination, which can exacerbate stress and create a cycle of increased pressure.
Coping Strategies
- Prioritization: Identifying and focusing on the most important tasks can help manage workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
- Time Management: Effective time management techniques, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps and scheduling breaks, can improve productivity and reduce stress.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Practices like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help manage stress and improve emotional well-being.
- Seeking Support: Talking to friends, family, or a mental health professional can provide emotional support and practical advice for managing overwhelm.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are crucial for maintaining physical and mental health.
Understanding and addressing the causes and implications of overwhelm is essential for maintaining overall well-being and functioning effectively in both personal and professional life. RELIEF is possible with the right plan and support!! Acupuncture, herbal medicine, breathwork, qigong, yoga, meditation, journaling, and hypnosis can all be utilized to support your journey to healing and wholeness.
In Irish, when you talk about emotions, you don’t say, “I am sad.” Instead, you say, “Sadness is on me” or “Tá brón orm” (toe-brone-urm). This is an important distinction to consider and embrace!! The implication is that the person is experiencing something that can come and then go, and it is not a failing nor fault of the person, but rather a condition of being human that occurs. So too with overwhelm. We can all be in a space of too much, so acknowledging our limits as well as our needs is the first step to healing. This is also a gentle reminder to be wary of the labels we, and others, attach to our Selves.
SUAIMHNEAS – SUE-av-ness : peace, tranquility.
Amidst the day-to-day hustle and bustle that feeds and fuels our ongoing overwhelm, the Irish word “suaimhneas” offers a gentle reminder of what we long for and most definitely need: peace and tranquility. With its soothing pronunciation, this sweet expression captures the essence of serenity in moments of stillness.
“Suaimhneas” is the quiet in the early morning before the world awakes, the hush that settles as dusk falls, the silence that descends with the first snowfall. It envelops us in the precious moments when our surroundings seem to pause, and the gentle beat of our hearts with the whisper of our breath joins the rhythmic connection of the Earth.
Today, take a moment to step away from the relentless pace of your daily routine. Find a spot where you can sit undisturbed, under a tree or by a window where you can just be. Let the world slow down around you and breathe in the “suaimhneas,” allowing it to fill you with restorative peace.
One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical, decisive hour. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.
~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
