Everyone needs to slow down!  We're burning ourselves out with the fast past of living we put upon ourselves, and accept from outside influences.  Slowing down doesn't mean you don't get the job done. You just go about your life in a mindful way.

 

Our adrenals are connected to our kidney functions.  East Asian Medicine views the kidneys as organs necessary to safe guard.  When we exhaust ourselves from excesses due to wrong activity, wrong foods and drink, wrong thinking, we slowly, or quickly, burn ourselves out.

 

First of all, take time out.  Quiet time means just that - 20 to 30 minutes a day alone quieting your mind and body.  Breathe in, breathe out.

 

The mindful breathing practices that Thich Nhat Hanh teaches are excellent for rejuventating the body and calming the mind.

 

Sit in a comfortable position.  Focus on your breathing.  Breathe deeply from your diaphragm.  As you breathe in, say inside yourself, Breathing in, I calm my body.  As you breathe out, say inside yourself, Breathing out, I smile.  Do this awhile.  Feel the full, deep rhythm of your breathing, the rising and falling of your rib cage.  You are bringing inside yourself good Qi, strong Vitality.

 

The second part of this exercise instructs you, as you breathe in, repeat to yourself, Breathing in, I dwell on the present moment.  Breathing out, you repeat to yourself, Breathing out, This is a wonderful moment!

 

This is mindfulness in motion.  You can practice mindful breathing no matter what you are dong.  Your blood pressure will become regular, your circulation of Qi, Air and Blood will be enhanced.  Your mental state will be alert.  You will be emotionally calm and present.  You become a "doer that is not done-out".

 

Another self practice is to gently pull on your ear lobes and to massage behind your ears.  Many people gather a great deal of heat and tension around the ears and on the top of their heads.  This excessive heat is a result of stress and blocked energy in one or more areas of the body.  Excess Heat is a pathological condition known diagostically in East Asian Medicine.  This poorly distributed heat which collects in one area (head and skull verses equal distribution throughout the body) leads to such symptoms as headaches, migraines, a tightening of the skull, poor circulation, and subluxations of the cervical and thoracic spine.

 

Another simple technique is to take your fingernails and dig them gently into your skull.  If it feels uncomfortable, or hurts, that means the meninges are too tight in that spot and require release.  Work your skull until you don't have anymore painful areas.  Doing this disperses Excess Heat and constrained meninges.  It opens the meridian channels and facilitates a clear head.  You can get rid of the makings of a headache.  If your head feels like marble, it is definitely not healthy!

 

Massaging the feet is another technique that gives good effect.  Rotate each joint of your toes, then gently pull.  Press firmly on the soles of your feet.  If there are any sore, painful areas, this has a direct correspondence to various organs of your body.  Pressing, massaging and pulling your toes and working your feet clears away tightness and stagnation not only in your feet, but in your entire body.

Choosing the appropriate exercise to fit your body type and constitution is also something you can do.  Endorphins are released into the bloodstream when we exercise, whether it is biking, walking, stretching, dancing, swimming, performing Yoga, T'a Chi or the like.  Be aerobic at the level which best suits your body's needs.

 

Eating foods that are life enhancing and drinking pure water assists your body with the proper nutrients for good health.  Caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars, fried foods and junk foods should be avoided.  They cause impaction in the colon, sluggish bowels, digestive disturbances, rob you of vital energy, and make you tired.  Refining food selection, and chosing foods which are fresh and alive is best.  Organic fruits and vegetables, raw or steamed are preferable.  Red meats are difficult to digest, and it can sit in your gut for days.  Grains, legumes, and seaweeds offer the body nutrients the body demands for health.

 

- express gratitude daily - create a gratitute diary

- write life affirming statements

- say your affirmations aloud to yourself, or in front of a mirror

- sing

- sit or walk in a contemplative manner

- meditate

- enjoy physical exercise

- practice good nutrition

- take time to rest

- visualize good health and happy outcomes

- be mindful of your speech - words and thoughts have energy

- read inspirational books

- listen to beautiful, soothing, melodic music, it strengthens your nervous  system

- talk walks in Nature

- garden

- expolore new things which support your well being

- practice forgiveness and compassion

- feed your soul

 

Your adrenals will love you, and your life moves forward on the road to health, happiness and inner peace!