Two ways to activate your vagus nerve and reduce stress
Chronic stress wreaks havoc. We know this. We know that carrying heavy daily burdens deteriorates physical health, impacts relationships and generally steals our joy. But it can be really hard to unwind all the tension that compounds day after day, year after year. This is where working with the vagus nerve can be helpful. “The […]
The best tip for boosting productivity and reducing stress
I like straightforward, easy to integrate advice. So this tip really lands for me. I’ve heard a lot of people say it, but when James Clear, author of the mega-bestseller “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones,” mentioned it, it landed in a new way. Clear offers […]
It’s OK not to be productive while you stay at home during coronavirus
Since a whole lot of us have been spending more time at home, I planned to write about how to use this time productively. If you have extra time on your hands and feel more anxious than usual, what are the best things you can do? I do have a few ideas on this. For […]
Mindfulness over matter may help ease coronavirus worry
If I were to sum up this moment in one word, it wouldn’t be “coronavirus” or “COVID-19.” It would be “anxiety.” This wild and unprecedented pandemic is challenging every aspect of our lives and social structures. In times like this, I’m grateful for my background in meditation and mindfulness. And I’m struggling. I’m worried about […]
Ask yourself: Can I soften?
In challenging situations, we clench. It’s a natural mind/body response, and within it is an opportunity for healing and relief. Say my husband and I get into an argument. In this purely hypothetical situation, my whole body would tighten. I’d cling to my ideas, or “my side,” which would elicit a physical gripping at the […]
Where does your stress show up?
We know that stress shows up in our bodies. There are three places where it is particularly easy to observe — both in others and ourselves. The forehead: When thoughts are troubling us in one way or another, the brow furrows and head tightens. The jaw: We often don’t know how to express ourselves, or […]