Wednesday, July 27, 2016
how to ground yourself when it's windy
It's a common event for this time of year. Just as we intuitively declutter in late winter / early spring, the earth does the same, the wind getting rid of the weight of winter to make space for new shoots and fresh leaves. Unfortunately I never manage to acclimatise, I'm just biding my time till the gusts subside (September if past years are anything to go by).
Considering the kids are reacting to the weather, too - ratty, argumentative and whiny - I thought it best to put a few grounding practises in place.
If you need a little grounding, you may want to consider the following:
- lavender and frankincense essential oils : known for their calming, grounding properties, I recommend diffusing frankincense and adding a few drops of lavender oil to the bath in the evening.
- chamomile tea : I always reach for chamomile when I'm feeling anxious and irritable. My kids love it too (with a bit of honey) and I find that the act of stirring and sipping tea is relaxing in itself, regardless of the calming properties of chamomile.
- water : when it doubt, run a bath! It's the parenting mantra I always come back to when moods are foul and I'm at my wits end. Bubbles and lavender and ten minutes reprieve is absolutely necessary on windy days.
- early dinner : because remember that an early dinner saves the witching hour. And delicious, nourishing foods are just the comfort that we crave when the weather has us all a fluster. Tonight's was lamb chops, mash and green beans but I'll often serve soup/broth and buttered bread when everyone needs to be settled.
- warmth : keeping everyone warm and protected from the wind is absolutely essential to protect sensitive ones. For me this means a thick, heavy jumper and a scarf and for the kids - warm feet, bonnets and a few cosy layers.
- stillness : the best thing I can do is sit down and close my eyes and I'll always do this when Percy breastfeeds. Today I found it really hard to sit still - I felt jumpy, my nervous system in overdrive - so while Percy fed I closed my eyes and touched my thumb to my little finger (the earth element that promotes physical stability). And it works - it really does! I often do it before I fall asleep at night and if I'm in a yoga class and can't settle (my eyes twitch) I'll use it then, too.
- breath awareness : when home is getting loud and chaotic a few seemingly dramatic sighs to exhale and release is always worth a go. And then, stretch back into balasana - pose of a child, and literally fall into the earth; it's the best grounding practise of all.
4 COMMENTS
Lovely Jodi, we are feeling especially frazzled down here this week too. Melbourne's icy blasts have been taking their toll, as much as I do love Winter....!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see the title of the post when I hopped over here today - simply because it is ridiculously windy here today too! And there is nothing that can make me sick faster than being out in the wind. Our property is horribly windy through most of winter.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I find for it is homeopathic Aconite, it prevents illness after being out in the wind.
Sarah x
I find windy weather so intolerable. It's me who's ratty and unsettled. Children are absolutely unsettled by windy weather - many a Girl Guide camp I've cursed wind for its impact on me and 30-odd teenage girls. Trust me, there's a lot of sighing and muttering under the breath - much of it from me.
ReplyDeleteUrgh I feel you Jodi...I loathe windy weather...and always pray that the wind dies down before I turn in otherwise it makes for a restless sleepless night and a tired grumpy me on the other side...
ReplyDelete