Category: Anxiety

Peaceful Surrender

by Guest Contributor, posted in Anxiety, Balanced Lifestyle, Out-of-Control and Chaos, Rachel Grant Dixon, MA

Honestly, sharing the episode of Peaceful Surrender was such a privilege to experience. Being able to witness what surrender is from God was transformative. So often we are battling with ourselves…we are creating the war within.
What I have learned about surrendering to God’s will and timing is that when we are in alignment with that, we are also in alignment with ourselves…with our truth, purpose and passion.

This concept was new for me because I started to realize that I was truly in partnership with the great Creator. I think before I just assumed that God would take over and I’d be like a puppet on a string. That just didn’t feel good to me. As I learned about peaceful surrender, I truly saw how my true self and God’s will for me are actually one in the same. So yes, I was surrendering to God but in return He was extending the invitation for me to align with the highest divine version of myself.

I became so excited to follow God’s invitation as an active participant (co-creator) rather than feeling like a puppet on a string.

I also want to bring up the corrupt pattern of surrender on the earth. The world shows that when you finally are forced to surrender, you lose!  That’s a LIE! When you surrender in the way it was originally intended by God, surrender means you WIN!

I ask myself these three important questions when I am seeking to align my will (using agency) with God’s will:

  • What am I afraid of (fear being the root of pride, ego, doubt, judgement, etc.)?
  • What is out of balance within myself, within the relationship, or within the experience?
  • What did my soul want to learn from what is being created?

These questions end the war or battle going on and I’m free to open up with the power of knowledge and the understanding that there is a reason for my experiences. Once the war is over within me…I’m also ready to act on the promptings and instruction I receive.

Peaceful surrender is real and it’s the essence of who we really are. So, the final question always is…are you ready to step into your true divine self?

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dangrant/episodes/2018-07-29T15_35_19-07_00

rachel

Author Biography: Rachael Grant Dixon is from San Diego, CA. She has her Master’s degree from San Diego State University in Sport and Performance Psychology. She is a corporate trainer, podcaster, and seeker of truth. Rachael loves to connect with people from all walks of life and discover the unique attributes that bring people together.

Uncovering Anxiety

by Dr. Crystal Nix Dayton, DC, posted in Anxiety, Boundaries, Dr. Crystal Nix Dayton, DC, CAc

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When we’re talking about anxiety, it’s important to uncover the various shades of what creates those wide-eyed, tight chest, cat-got-your-tongue feelings. When we learn to identify the specific feelings more, we can be more proactive in addressing some of these all-consuming sensations. The way we’re going to do this is by looking at some old Eastern perspectives on emotions and their associated channels in our bodies called meridians.

  • Lost or vulnerable. These are the emotions associated with the Small Intestines meridian. If you can think of different times when you’ve felt the interruption of those anxious feelings, have you ever noticed a correlation with them in situations when you’re doing something totally new or performing?

I often feel this leading up to a presentation I’m about to give. By knowing my pattern, I work on this meridian by gently breathing in and out this feeling of vulnerability. Then I shift my focus to breath in and out the feeling of accepting my best. I do so while massaging the Small Intestines 3 point. When you make a fist, it is located by the knuckle of the pinky where the skin pouches out.

  • Frightfully overjoyed. This is an unfamiliar term in our Western society, so the way I describe it to patients is that it’s when we look happy and just fine, but don’t feel that way inside. It’s like the feeling when also we laugh nervously. This is the emotion of the Heart meridian. I see this most often appearing in more of our close-knit relationships. For example, when a loved one may have hurt our feelings or misunderstood us, and we’re not sure how to address it, so we just try and play it off.

With this “frightfully overjoyed” feeling, its best to first breath in awareness for the hurt or anticipation of being hurt. Then, when you feel ready, you can shift to breath in the feeling of being safe and authentic. You can do so while massaging over the Heart 7 point. With the palm up, this is located on the inside of the wrist, on the pinky side, in the crease where the hand connects to the wrist.

  • Food for thought: in Eastern medicine we also focus on nourishing the mind and body through specific foods. Here are some good foods to add:

Cinnamon
Honey (in moderation, teaspoon-amount)
Berries
Leafy greens
Olives/olive oil
Cucumbers
Papaya
Garlic/onion

If you want to really enjoy diminished feelings of anxiety, also avoid processed and sugary foods. (Hint: foods that have come out of a drive-through window or box.)

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By practicing these breathing and acupressure points daily, you’ll be able to train your reflexes to breathe and expand when you start sensing those anxious feelings of constriction. Add some fresh air into your practice, either by going outdoors or opening the window to continue to flush out those congested sensations further. The food suggestions will also help calm and tone your nervous system. If you’re looking for more info on creating safe places for yourself, check out our Boundaries blog series from last fall.

Hope you enjoy some of these Eastern options! Post if you have any thoughts or questions, and share the health with your friends 🙂

More info on locating those acupressure points :

https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/si3

https://theory.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/ht7

Anxiety: Join the Discussion

by Sommer A. Seitz, MA, LMHC, posted in Anxiety, Sommer Seitz, MA, LMHC

This month we will be discussing anxiety.  Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the Unites States, and we hope to provide some helpful tips and tools.  Please join the conversation.  Comments on how you have addressed anxiety in your life or questions about anxiety are welcome in the comments.  We are excited to link with you!

Interview with “The Happiness Dude” and Sommer Seitz… The Power of Mindfulness