My God. or Goddess.

So, my phone is regularly giving me news alerts of the latest political developments. I’m not going to get into them because this is my page, and my vibration will plummet. (Stay up!!!) But that’s the point of this post.

How do you stay up when you are angry?  How do you keep your vibration up when terrible and scary things are happening in the world?  How do you keep your vibration up when people are outwardly racist to you, and still expect for you to smile, be gracious, and even be their friend?

Love them all . . . Love the crap out of them (but keep your distance if you can). . . and take care of you. Here are some of my self-care tips for when you suddenly feel like you can’t breathe:

1.) Laugh.  Laugh a lot.  Laugh often.  There was a study that went around saying that 4-6 year olds laugh 400 times a day and the average 40 year old only laughs 4. I think it’s been debunked, but the point remains the same. When was the last time you had a good belly laugh?  At anything?  Why do we have to be so serious all the time?  When you laugh you can’t help but feel better.  You can’t help but smile.  It is a one stop quick fix to raising your vibration instantly.  When I’m in a funk, and I need to get out of it, I turn on The Carmicheal Show. I own every episode, and it has Loretta Divine, and David Alan Grier, and it is funny. (Yeah. . .  I’m an eighties-nineties girl and proud of it.  I’m comforted by watching both of them on tv. They are funny. AND, I don’t have to worry about hearing about running into David Alan Grier and him slipping something into my drink.)  I can watch the episodes over and over and I laugh every time.  And I feel better.  If I’m in my car I turn to one of the satellite radio comedy stations.  If I’m in the office I hit up one of my favorite blogs for a laugh.  Whatever gets me laughing and out of my headspace.  I don’t know why it works.  It just does.

2.) Exercise.  You don’t have to do yoga.  Although I recommend it.  But taking care of your body releases endorphins, which lifts your mood. Not only that, but if we don’t take care of our bodies, we are not well. We aren’t performing at our best. Digestion slows. The mind fogs. Fatigue sets in. It puts stress on our mental and emotional health. We know this.  Hot yoga is dope because the infrared mimics sunlight which helps release vitamin D.  When I started practicing and didn’t feel comfortable doing my own thing, I would follow yogis on youtube, or do a workout from a magazine. If you run, do zumba, walk, lift, box. . . whatever it is you like to do to get moving, DO IT.  You will be glad you did.

Bonus: DANCE!!!! Dance in your kitchen.  Dance in your living room.  Dance in your office!Turn on your favorite music and get your hips moving. Not only does it stimulate your lower three chakras, which helps to give you a sense of emotional stability, but it gets your heart going.  Got little ones? My baby thinks impromptu dance parties are the best. Good clean fun for the whole fam!

3. Meditate. Are you breathing?  Does your breath stop when you get that text or see the news?  Take a moment to breathe.  Meditation doesn’t take hours.  I’ve been having amazing success with eleven minutes of meditation lately.  I can usually carve it out in the middle of the night or in the morning, and it’s amazing for you.  All levels of you.  Deep breathing slows the body’s stress response. Start breathing, and stop thinking so hard. Give your brain a rest.

4.) Look Pretty. Yeah, I said it. (SKEE-WEE) And I mean it.  I don’t know what looking pretty is to you.  Maybe you have a favorite dress that makes you feel amazing.  Maybe you want to dye your hair purple and you know it will give you life.  Whatever it is- DO IT.  Make yourself look as good as you want to, and can. You don’t have to wear makeup, but if it’s your bag, then wear it.  You don’t have to change your hair, but if you want to, do it. (Natural hair Nazis be damned).  Do you. Whatever it is that makes you feel like fire, put it on, and do your thang. Be fly as hell.  Seriously. It works. Because when you are confident about how you are presenting yourself, it raises your vibration. And others can sense it as well. I’ve had six hairstyles in the last six months from locs to a curly bob. . . and you know what. . . the only thing I plan to change about that issue . . .is my hair. . . .

5.) Rest. I mean, real rest.  Not sitting on your phone reading Facebook.  Not watching a movie with your family, although that can be extremely restorative and I recommend it- See Number 1. . . I mean, taking the time to shut out distractions, tv, books, everything, and allow your body to rest.  From all stimulus.  We are constantly bombarded with information today, through our smartphones, TV’s, devices, etc.  Put it down, and go analog for a while.  Cook something home made, and then sit down and eat it with your family (spaghetti. . .is quick, easy, hearty in the wintertime and can be gluten free).  Light some candles and take a hot bath, then go to bed.  Do a yoni steam, with some tea or a glass of champagne. Write in your journal.  Take some time for you.  To not achieve.  To just be.

6.) The 1% principal.  This isn’t mine.  Follow the 1% rule as outlined by James Altucher. When I’m overwhelmed with a task, or with something that is happening in my life, I remind myself that I don’t have to get everything, or all of it right today.  What if I just shoot for  1% difference? If my crow pose is 1% better today than yesterday. . . than I’ve improved 1%. . . If I improve every time I practice it this week, then maybe I’ve improved by 5%. . . Change happens in increments.  I can’t change the world today. But maybe I can do my 1% to make things better. And by the end of the year, I will have helped 365%. . . Compound this with everyone working toward their own 1% daily, and we’ve got real change. Keep this in mind when you are beating your head against the wall.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bavantu- May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May my thoughts words and actions contribute in some way to that happiness.

Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.  . . You can’t pour from an empty cup.  Take care of yourselves love. . . We’ve got work to do.

Love,

Bunmi