Stress in Summer – What a Bummer!
Summer is SUPPOSED to be FUN! Right?! That’s what we all plan for.
From our early childhood, most of us couldn’t wait for school to be over. Then we could do all the fun activities we wanted to do, and not the things we HAD to do, especially studying, tests and exams, and being in bed at a particular time.
My memories as a kid included bicycling daily, going to the lake to fish and swim, hanging out with friends, and reading all the fiction I could get my hands on.
Remember those days? What did you look forward to every summer – where you could almost predict the weather and how your days would unfold?
Now, here we are as adults. We definitely do things differently in the summer. Our activities revolve around being outside and using the longer daylight hours. And of course, most of us are all about enjoying the sun and the warm, balmy weather.
But we seem to now be living with extremes, which can bring on a lot of unexpected mental and physical stress.
MOTHER NATURE 2024
Because of the heat and wind, many are dealing with uncontrolled fires that create havoc, cause loss of homes, and result in losing a sense of well-being. I know that many areas of Canada and the United States are experiencing all that and much more because of fires and drought.
All that smoke affects the quality of air and our breathing. Instead of enjoying being outside, people are forced to stay indoors. Many people are having major respiratory issues show up. Other health issues create the need for medical intervention.
On the other side, many areas are experiencing intense rain. The weather is taxing their infrastructures – properties are flooded, roads are torn apart, and water systems are failing. Because of drainage and flooding issues, people are forced to boil water until the water systems are repaired.
Yep. Mother Nature is demonstrating that we have absolutely no control over our regular summer routines or the special activities and trips we have put into our calendars.
RECOGNIZE THE STRESS
So, why my dissertation about Mother Nature and our hopes and plans for ‘normal’ weather to enjoy our summer?
Did you plan a fun adventure for yourself or your family but it got disrupted because where you were going is no longer feasible, or unforeseen weather events have occurred in or near your home that are thwarting your plans?
You may very well be experiencing the stress of figuring out how to deal with it all, what options you might have, or how to look after yourself and your family.
To support your mental, emotional, and physical stress, it is essential to help your body FEEL at ease and calm, to have your body experience expansive inhale and exhale, full vitality, and the ability to go with the flow no matter what is happening in your world.
What your body wants more than anything is the ability to be prepared for whatever you’re going to ask it to do and be prepared for whatever might come towards it. That could be physical or mental or emotional.
We don’t plan on experiencing stress, but we live in a world where stress exists, and when your routines and plans are impacted or blown up, they CAN be stress-inducing.
HOW TO GET THROUGH IT
So, here is the key. YOU can help your body feel prepared, cared for, healthy, and vital no matter what happens around you.
Spend time each day balancing your energy by doing:
- self-help acupressure
- meditating
- breath exercises
- doing yoga or Qi Gong
- walking
- gardening
- forest bathing
- beach exploring
Do what you can do under your circumstances. When you can, create physical experiences as you discover or rediscover the beautiful places you can visit and enjoy near where you live.
And if you have plans and maybe even a vacation that just got reconfigured because Mother Nature or something crazy took place, just recognize that YOU can help your body avoid the consequences of stress.
Instead, help your body recognize that change does not mean there is a space for anxiousness to be created.
GET YOUR FINGERTIPS READY
Here are some self-help acupressure tips I’ve been using for myself for the last few days.
I’m one of those folks having to accept that we need to change our plans. Our family camping vacation is now being redefined because of fires in Northern California. And, as I’m doing my energy flows, I’m also sending ease and calm and balancing flows to those who have been impacted by the traumatic experiences they’re going through.
You can do the same by using the following simple energy tips. Use your fingertips and hold the suggested acupressure points with a very light, gentle touch as you do them. And remember, there is no wrong because there is no right.
- The Daily Clean Your House Flow™. Doing the Daily Flow brings me balance and a firm foundation for my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. (If you don’t know the Daily Flow, you can get it here).
- Jumper Cables. It’s the 9th step of the Daily Clean Your House Flow. My body immediately experiences deeper breathing and brings calmness as my body says, “You don’t need to go to worry, fear, frustration, sadness, or trying too hard or too much. In fact, your body doesn’t want to live in any of those spaces.”
- Cup your sternum under the collarbone and hold your other hand on your tummy. This simple energy hold brings breath and calm and lubricates all your tissues, including your throat, sinuses, eyes, and ears, as well as your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This simple energy tip will help with shortness of breath and dry throat.
- Hold the base of your skull and the outside of the wrist to connect with the entire nervous system. It will bring calm, the ability to connect with focus and clarity and let go of any anxiousness. It looks like this:
Right hand – hold the right base of the skull
Left hand – hold outside of right wrist on little finger side - And use your Thermostat Controller if you need to cool down!
Hold the outside of your knees. This is how you can regulate your body temperature. It’s also an anti- inflammatory point. So, it’s a great energy point to have in your “remember to do this off and on throughout the day”.
I wish for you a fun-filled and safe summer, whether it’s planned or spontaneous. Stay stress-free and remember to GO WITH THE FLOW!
Say YES to New Adventures!
Sometimes, you just have to say yes, especially when you’ve been telling yourself that you really shouldn’t spend the time, energy, or money. Because sometimes that conversation you’re having with yourself is all about second-guessing and wondering whether it’s really that important – when the universe is giving you all sorts of messages that “now IS the time!”
Thank goodness I listened to my family and said “yes” to go to New York City on June 22nd to receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
I wasn’t going to go! I had already decided just to have the award mailed to me. My kids said, “Really, Mom? Just do it. You have to go!”
So, I got into gear and planned a whirlwind weekend trip to New York. And I am so happy I did!
The awards and gala day was so well planned and so much fun. And I felt huge gratitude and honor to be part of it and to be acknowledged for what I’m doing in the world.
DAY ONE
Saturday June 22 was the finale following an awesome three days of the Trailblazer Summit and Symposium. It was a virtual summit that happened June 18 through the 20 and was produced by Top Talent Agency. I’m forever grateful for this amazing team who helped me to publish a chapter in a book, get on the cover of LA Tribune Magazine, have articles published in other publications, plus numerous speaking opportunities. It was Top Talent who ultimately nominated me for this prestigious award.
The New York experience started with having two awesome roommates, Jessica and Janice, who were fun, a joy to be with, and full of life and adventure.
Both ladies were also Award winners:
Jessica Sheehan, is a director of Top Talent Agency.
Janice Niederhofer, is the founder of Humankind Alliance.
Saturday was a full day of Mastermind groups, presentations, and get-togethers. It was an excellent opportunity to meet other like-minded folks whose goals are to help people step into their power.
What was truly inspiring was meeting the other award winners. It was special to get to know them, hear their stories, and learn what they’re doing to lead change in the world.
I now have new opportunities to have deeper conversations and collaborations with key industry leaders, working together to spread our messages, insights, and programs.
Besides all of that – it was just loads of FUN!
AWARD PRESENTATION
The Awards Gala was such a high. It was in a beautiful old mansion in Hamilton Heights where you could feel the energy of the land, the ancestors, and the healing center it had become.
The whole evening was a phenomenal experience, for which I will be forever grateful. Being in the energy of so many people empowering others to become who they want to be was both exhilarating and humbling.
The formal award from Operation Impact was presented to me by Cheri Sotelo, Credentialing Agent for the White House. I was recognized and sincerely supported by David Fagan and Isabel Donadio, Founders and Owners of Top Talent Agency (Trailblazer co-producers), and by Adora Crystal Evans of Ace Productions (Trailblazer co-producer).
Deborah and Cheri Sotelo,
Credentialing Agent for the White House
My Topic Talent team – David Fagan & Isabel Donadio
My new friends Cheri Perry, President, Total Merchant Concepts, and Adora Crystal Evans from Ace Productions
The mansion felt like a Palace of Possibilities, with magical doors already opening. At that gala evening, one door opened for me to meet the director of the healing center and began what appears to be a powerful connection for future collaborations.
WHILE IN NEW YORK
What do you do on a free day in NYC? You go for bagels, a Broadway Play, and an Italian dinner, of course.
Bagels for Breakfast at Modern Bread & Bagels
For Sunday breakfast, a group of us went to the Modern Bread & Bagel in Manhattan, my favorite bagel shop. Such great gluten-free and delectable bagels that are beyond measure. I knew about their bagels because I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a group mail shipment to my home in California. So, I had to visit the source.
The iconic Macy’s Department Store was also on our NYC tour. We had to go there because it IS where the Thanksgiving Macy’s Parade happens. (*smile*)
We experienced a Broadway show at the historic Gershwin Theatre, where we saw Wicked! And oh my, what a joy! I was in giggles, in tears, and everything in between. My friend Cyndy Mercedes, who was in New York that weekend, joined me, Janice, and Jessica for the adventure.
And talk about serendipity – Wicked exemplifies what the Trailblazer event and the Award Gala were all about. Did you know that Wicked is about inspiring everyone to use their brains, heart, and courage to express their creative genius and find new ways of defying gravity?
When you buy a Wicked Journal, you’re supporting “The Everyone Deserves the Chance to Fly Grant.” The grant provides resources to organizations around the globe that use creativity to power positive social transformations. Their mission is to support those who want to explore their creativity and unleash their unique voice.
Waiting for our table at UVA – yum!
And, wrapping up our NYC experience, the four of us went to THE best Italian restaurant imaginable. At the Uva Wine Bar and Restaurant on 2nd Ave, the energy, the host, the servers, the service, and the FOOD were all about making you feel the essence of Italy. Delizioso!
Wow! It’s hard to quit thinking and talking about ALL the great stuff that happened during this miraculous adventure.
Can you tell that I’m sure glad I said YES?!
And, back to Wicked. Just saying – Wicked and the Trailblazer Award Gala are both about defying gravity, taking a leap, and being willing to fly.
In other words, what I learned is to say “yes” to an adventure or opportunity that just might create the possibility for you to step into your power and allow the universe to help you fly into who you’re searching to be.
NOW IS THE TIME! NOW IS YOUR TIME!
I’d love to hear your thoughts about my adventure and message. Just Contact Me to share.
