Last week I posted my first article to Hopefulparents.org. I thought some of my readers here might find it useful as well.
Hi, my name is Jennifer Dubowsky. I am a licensed Acupuncturist in Chicago (tcm007.com) and I will be a contributing writer here.I have treated several parents who cope with the daily trials and joys of having children with special needs. I hope I can bring some valuable information to you via Hopeful Parents blog. If there are some specific topics you would like to know more about, please let me know. I look forward to our conversations.
Today I want to talk about balance, one of the most fundamental concepts in Eastern Philosophy and Chinese Medicine. Striving for balance is the search for harmony or equilibrium in our lives. This idea is often pictured as the Yin Yang symbol. There are many examples of yin and yang in our every day lives (To read more about yin and yang click here). Your more active energy is considered Yang in nature and Yin is your calm energy. You feel best when Yin and Yang work together, for example, if you get good nights sleep (sleeping/nighttime is yin), you wake up refreshed and are able to have an active and fulfilling day (running around with kids/daytime is yang). This is an example of how the concept of yin and yang helps you to create balance in you life.
In my practice I often see parents, especially mothers, who are out of balance because they lack yin energy.This calming yin energy is depleted because so many parents, especially those who have children with special needs, are required to be always active and alert. So, if you have only a few moments to capture some calm,
Here are 5 quick ways (most take fewer than 5 minutes) to nourish your yin.
1. Place one hand on your lower abdomen and breathe deeply until you feel your stomach rise. Exhale slowly and repeat 10 times. When you are stressed, you breathe into your chest and that increases anxiety but these slow and deep breaths will help you regain your calm.
2. Eat a handful of Goji berries. They are great snack and they nourish your yin (to read more about goji berries click here) or try almonds before you go to bed. Almonds contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps induce sleep and relaxation
3. Use lavender essential oil in your bedroom on your bed sheets, in your bath, or as a perfume.Lavender’s scent is relaxing.
4. Take 5 minutes of silence every day, away from children, spouse, TV, Blackberry, cell phone, everything. Silence is the balance to all life’s unavoidable stimulation
5. Remember one thing for which you are grateful. Write it on a post-it note; carry it with you if you need too. Being grateful helps balance out the difficult periods.
