(by Aviva Chansky Guttmann, LMSW)  There is an increasing shift toward looking inward and finding ways to self soothe in our chaotic world. Self-care is invaluable in helping us to internally recalibrate in a challenging world ― a world that sends us incessant messages that we should not take the time to care for ourselves. Energy psychology practices can play a key role in returning to a state of energetic balance. Developing and maintaining self-regulating practices encourages us to find ways to disconnect and intentionally to return to these practices. Here are some ideas that can help you develop a self-care routine ― or change the routine you already have. 

Disconnecting and consistency: Two keys to developing a self-care routine

Two key components operate in creating a self-care and self-development routine. One is finding a way to disconnect from the distraction, noise and intrusiveness of the outside world in a way that works for us individually. 

I myself gravitate to nature. Once immersed in the flow of walking or biking in nature my chattering mind slows down and allows for peace and the reset I need. Exercise also encourages endorphin release, which increases the sense of calm. Discovering what is unique to us takes experimentation and openness. 

The second component (which can also be a challenge) is finding opportunities to return to these practices with intention, especially in circumstances when we are least able to find a quiet space in our physical environment. How can we do this?

In practices such as EFT and meditation, for example, we can learn a reminder phrase or grounding technique to stabilize our nervous system. It is absolutely an inside job in most cases, which is invaluable, because we are the person most available to us. We learn to self-regulate by using our reminder phrases or grounding techniques. This empowers us, allowing us to learn to count on ourselves rather than turning to a friend, practitioner, or guru.

Sharing energy psychology practices with others

As practitioners focused on energy modalities we have put our faith in a reality below the surface of what we see in the 3D world. The difficulty arises when trying to help someone who bases their belief system solely in the external world of tangible and measurable reality. 

One effective way I’ve discovered to help people with a strictly concrete focus is using the analogy about how invisible things are scientifically validated. Taking the example of a virus and its tenacity to multiply which we cannot see with the naked eye but know exists and comparing it with the way energy waxes and wanes and transitions within our bodies, it is possible to help someone visualize how energy vacillates. 

Prioritizing self-care in a world that does not 

Practicing the self-care techniques that resonate with me has offered me solace and calm when stepping away from my cognitively focused brain. In generations past, much of this was encompassed (and still is) by the concept of prayer. However the comfort of prayer can also expand to non-religiously based areas including meditation, immersion in nature, music, yoga and sound bathing, to name only a few. 

Self-care is a necessary part of life if we are to fully enjoy and participate in the world and the relationships around us. We cannot operate from a worn down and depleted vessel, although many of us try. Cultural messages to multitask and push beyond our energetic reserves are aspects to be mindful of and cautious about. When we act without awareness about how much we are offering others, how little rest we have allowed ourselves or quality nutrition we’ve absorbed, our bodies will alert us with fatigue and lethargy. Mindfulness and restoration practices are crucial for returning us to a renewed baseline. 

Some people believe they don’t deserve their own care-giving and even if not consciously aware of this, their over-giving and care-giving of others takes a significant toll on them. I believe the primary reason for overlooking self-care relates to feeling undeserving, combined with our society’s emphasis that staying busy and productive holds inherent virtue. We carry an ancestral imperative from our diverse cultural backgrounds that reinforced this for generations.

As we’ve evolved, we remain a highly productive and creative society with a wealth of energy restoration practices to share and utilize to enhance our lives. We can be both industrious AND self nourishing! We can also examine any limiting beliefs standing in the way of using our energy psychology tools. 



You can learn body-based energy psychology tools that you can add to your self-care toolkit here. If you would like to learn more about energy psychology and get CEU’s, sign up here.

Author

Aviva Chansky Guttmann, LMSW, is an Advanced Certified Imago Relationship Therapist with over 25 years experience. She specializes in couples work, chronic and terminal illness, caregiver stress, special needs parenting concerns, and adoption issues. Aviva has trained in EFT and CEP 1 and 2 with ACEP, and is an ACEP member. She has a private practice in the Hudson Valley and also works online. Learn more here.

Photo by Michael Krahn on Unsplash