Time Change/Changing Times

On this day when most of us embark on Daylight Savings Time, the beginning of a week that holds a historic election, and constant reminders of climate change are happening around the world, its hard to not take note of these changing and challenging times we live in.

Looking to Ayurveda and the ancient wisdom of self-care, I want to share a few insights and action steps that you can take this week, and beyond, to support yourself.

Let's start with the less complex change at hand: Daylight Savings Time!

The "fall back" that happened today is the perfect opportunity to live in deeper alignment with the season. If you keep the same schedule that you have been on, say getting up in the morning at 7am and going to bed at 10pm, you can keep going with that, but now you are getting up at 6am and going to bed at 9pm due to the time change. This is FABULOUS for aligning with waking before sunrise and going to bed earlier - wonderful Ayurvedic principles.

This is so nourishing in this last quarter of the Autumn. As the nights move toward their longest at the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2024, this is a perfect time to dial-in chronobiology.

Daylight savings can be a huge blessing of nourishment for your body, mind, and spirit!

Now, onto our more complex topic...The changing and challenging times we live in. I hear the fear, uncertainty, and frustration from so many as we approach the upcoming election, social upheaval, and environmental crisis on an global level.

Handling all of this in a way that doesn't lead us to total paralysis, really comes down to tending the nervous system (also known as self-care), otherwise we become ineffective in being the change we want to see in the world.

I heard an excerpt from a recent interview with the author Elizabeth Gilbert where she shared an insight about self-care that she heard at a 12-step meeting: "The greatest harm I have ever done to others was through me not knowing how to take care of myself." The harm happens in surface as well as intimate relationships when we are dis-regulated, reactionary, paralyzed, or numb.

Gilbert further explained, "Self-care is a deeply humanitarian public service!"

Dis-regulated people perpetuating conflict and fear needs to become the exception, not the norm. Let's take care of ourselves so our lives and connections can be safe, kind, and nourishing.

In the words of songwriter and musician Tim O'Brien, "If there is ever an answer, it's more love."

Or, in the words of Henry James, "Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind."

Here are 3 self-care skills that you can implement this week to support wellbeing:

Brahmari Breath - to calm the nervous system (click the link to watch the instructional video). You can do this several times a day. I recommend trying to do 8-10 breaths, extending the exhale as long as you can. You are toning the vagus nerve through this practice which is scientifically proven to shift the nervous system our of "fight/flight/freeze" and into "tend and befriend."

Eat on a regular schedule - Try to eat 3 regular meals a day (we need more nourishment this time of year). Avoid snacking which overtaxes the digestive system, leading to gas and bloating and drawing energy away from other bodily functions. I recommend having meals at 9am, 1pm, and 5pm for best results. Make lunch your largest meal and eat warm, cooked foods for every meal (seasonal recipe resources can be found on Youtube and my blog).

Get good rest - The sleep schedule mentioned above (9pm-6am) will provide a lot of healing and nourishment for body, mind, and spirit. Also, massage a little sesame oil into the soles of your feet and put on socks before sleeping. More info on sleep can be found HERE.

I hope this week finds you connecting in kindness with your community and your inner resilience. Please feel free to be in touch with me through email.

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