Magickal Happenings with Oshuyn...

Merry Meet and Blessings to you on Turkey Day!

I've never enjoyed this time of the year, always seems to wear me out...and that's putting it mildly.  I never knew why this time of the year turned my feelings sour until a few years ago when I realized I was an Empath.  Being an Empath is a tricky thing, leaving many feeling like there is something wrong with them, that they are strange or crazy, that they are alone and there is no where to turn or no one who understands.  I facilitate an Empath class at Sacred Mists where you learn...you are not alone. You learn tools and exercises designed to understand your gifts and to function everyday with them. 

I thought I would share some info to help you destress as an Empath during the holiday seasons, so Blessed and Happy Holidays!

Take care of Yourself

HOW CAN I NURTURE MYSELF DURING THE STRESS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

Here are some really basic self-care tips & reminders for highly sensitive& empaths:

TOP TEN HSP & EMPATH HOLIDAY DESTRESSERS

1. Take an epsom salt bath. The benefits of the warm water are obvious;however, the lesser known benefits of epsom salt are of adding both magnesiumand sulfate to the body (epsom salt is known scientifically as magnesiumsulfate). Research from the National Academy of Sciences shows that mostAmericans are magnesium deficient, which contributes to a host of problems suchas joint pain, depression, and migraine headaches. This element has beendepleted from the soil due to harmful modern farming practices. Magnesium isnecessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, the feel goodchemical in the brain. Sulfate has the added benefit of helping to detoxifyfrom environmental contaminants. Vitamin or pill supplements are not ideal becauseneither magnesium nor sulfate are easily absorbed through the digestive tract.Thus, the best way to get these minerals is to take an epsom salt bath (twocups of epsom salt) two times a week. Light a candle to make this an even moresensory de-stressing experience.

2. Use essential oils. You are missing out if you are not regularly takingadvantage of the many healing benefits of essential oils. Researchers haveestablished that essential oils have the some of the highest frequencies of anynatural substance known to man (between 52 Hz and 320 Hz, depending on theoil). That may be one contributing factor as to why they have been shown to bepotent anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer agents. Essential oils arederived from plants and are typically smelled, ingested, or applied topicallyto the body. You can smell them directly from the containers (the smell goesdirectly to the olfactory centers in the brain). You can also get aninexpensive diffuser to spread the smell around your house. Some oils can evenbe ingested (e.g. a drop of peppermint in your tea or coffee adds an additionaldestressing sensory experience that is hard to beat!). I use lavendar to calmin the evenings, peppermint to clarify the mind, citronella to clear unwantedenergy from others, and tea tree oil or rosemary as an anti-biotic for theskin. Make sure whatever you buy is "100% essential oil" and notsynthetic. Watch the labeling - manufacturers can be misleading. Finally, youmay want to consider giving sample oils and/or a diffuser as a unique andmuch-appreciated gift. I've given loads of these to my parents, grandparents,and siblings.

3. Stretch. Endorphins, the body's feel good chemicals, are released through amere 30 seconds of simple stretching in all directions. A simple head to toestretch is one of the simplest forms of yoga. Stretching as high as your handswill go - and adding a left to right stretch - will help stimulate &massage all of your organs, particularly the liver & kidneys which areresponsible for eliminating toxins from the body. Stretching is a naturalanti-depressant, immunity booster, and anti-aging practice. It provides betterposture for the body, reducing the load that the joints must carry, andprovides natural cardiovascular benefits such as lowered blood pressure andincreased blood circulation. All these benefits, and more, from a mere 30second stretch!

4. Listen to your favorite healing music. Calming music such as jazz,classical, or new age music has been scientifically proven to have healingbenefits for both the mind (producing a meditative state) and the body (slowingbreathing & heart rates). Also, there is a specific subset ofscientifically produced music called binaural beats that is designed to changebrainwaves, and thus, induce relaxation.

5. Chant or Sing! This is especially good for empaths with throat chakraissues. It doesn't matter what you chant, the mere act of engaging the vocalcords will clear your throat chakra. This is done by the same principle ofexercise. When you engage the vocal cords, you increase your intake oflife-giving oxygen, and more blood is pumped to the throat area to stimulatethe contraction and expansion of the muscles. A mere 60 seconds of chanting thesound OM is practically guaranteed to change your mood.

6. Touch, Be Touched, & Bodywork. Partner up & give your loved one ahealing massage. Or, treat yourself to a session of bodywork. Times are tight,I have heard the stories from many of you, and bodywork is not cheap. However,think of bodywork and being touched as an investment in yourself. The betteryou feel, the more productive you will be. The better you feel, the moreself-esteem you will project to the world, and thus help you attract morefinancial or career abundance. The skin is the largest organ in the body - andit is what helps protect us from the sometimes unwanted energies of others.When the skin is properly massaged and is given proper attention, it will doits job better. The skin, when nourished, will help you possess a more balancedidentity; better physical and psychological boundaries when interacting withthe energies of others. Additionally, massage has so many benefits too numerousto mention - reduced pain, better circulation, elimination of toxins.

7. Get a pet. If you can make the investment in time and money, pets willsoothe a highly sensitive person's soul. Those of you living in small spacesmay consider getting something like a hamster or a rat, each of which requireminimal maintenance. (By the way, for those who might be wary of rats, theymake excellent pets. They are social, highly intelligent creatures who,contrary to their image, are obsessively clean. They also are easily trainedand actually form emotional bonds with humans). Studies have shown that havinga pet is a better lowerer of blood pressure better than medication! Having apet (especially dogs) also encourages you to get exercise, and they are a greatway for those of us who are introverts to become more social. Often pets areone of the first things a person will comment on in your environment, leadingto easier social interaction.

8. Laugh! The health benefits of a good belly laugh are staggering. Not onlydoes it exercise the diaphragm muscles, which time and again I see are the mosttightened muscles in most of my client's bodies, but it's contagious! You willattract more of good, kind people around you when you are able to laugh,especially at yourself. Laughter reduces the stress hormones cortisol andepinephrine (adrenaline). Additionally, research shows that the act of engagingthe facial muscles, even in a fake or pretend smile, stimulates the vagusnerve, which plays a huge role in the conduction and healthy function of theheart. (Just curious, any other rabid "Curb your Enthusiasm" fans outthere?).

9. Clean Your House. This is an underappreciated form of stress relief.Cleaning one's house or personal space offers much psychological relief: notonly does your space look better, it will save you time and also contribute toa better feeling living area. The physical act of cleaning also producesbenefits such as increased respiration and taking in more oxygen while therepetitive motions used in cleaning can induce a meditative state.Additionally, as a highly sensitive person, you will benefit from the changedenergy in your environment. Whenever I suffer from a writer's block feeling oflethary, I will clean my bedroom and throw away un-needed things. This isusually all I need to get focused again.

10. Drink a cup of warm tea. Hot fluids naturally calm the nervous system andthe effects go straight to the heart. Green or black tea contains vitalantioxidants that combat stress and premature aging. Studies have consistentlyfound that tea drinkers have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lowerlevels of cancer, and higher immunity than non-tea drinkers. Green tea can alsomake a unique holiday gift.

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