Catch Your Breath

Time to Catch Your Breath

Considering our recent wildfires in Sonoma, Napa, and Southern California, it makes sense to remind all of you how you can “catch your breath.”

2019, like the smoky days of 2017, brought high winds, intense fires, and intense emotions.

While we cannot control when and where fires erupt, we can control our reactions.

Your Breath and Self-Care Refresher

how to reclaim your breath
reorganize your immune system
calm your nervous system
and reduce the stress your body and mind are experiencing

Those of us who were not directly in harm’s way from the fire were under stress from a loss of power, and sometimes water too. We were living with uncertainty about when we could resume our normal activities and if we would be safe from disaster.

At my home and office, we were without electricity which affected our water, as we are on a well. We could stay in our home, but it was as if we were camping out for the week, as we nervously watched and waited. They evacuated many of my friends and clients, some more than once. And I understand that some folks were without power for more than a week.

Help Your Breath

I know there is concern about the ash in the air. The dust and debris have triggered:

respiratory projects
fatigue
scattered thinking
sleep disruptions
feelings of being under threat
Loss of control
Anxiety
General disquiet

In California, we are living in fire season. We have been on high alert since the first dry winds in September. Extreme low humidity, dry conditions, lots of vegetation/fuel, unusually high winds, a convergence of meteorologic conditions that result from global warming, all have contributed to our current situation. Life is not business as usual.

What You Can Control

Take extra care of yourself and by using these energy tips, you can feel more like yourself now and whenever you encounter challenging situations, natural disasters, work stress, and family pressures.

Get more information and tips from Recovering from the Sonoma Fires

https://www.deborahmyerswellness.com/2017/10/

Resources for Victims of California Wildfires

Wildfire Resources – California Victim Compensation Board

California Wildfire Resources

Resources for Victims of Wildfires | Official Website …

Northern California fires: List of resources for victims …

2019 Fire Season Outlook | Welcome to CAL FIRE

California Fire & Evacuation Maps: Track Fires Near Me Today [Nov. 3]

Getting Your Breath Back with Easy Self-Help Acupressure

Life can throw us curves of all sorts! We don’t plan on those, and we don’t necessarily see them coming our way. One such event was the October 2017 fires. And no matter how YOU were individually impacted, the experience most likely affected your breath, your emotions, your sense of well-being, and maybe your physical health.

Our Bodies Remember Trauma

As we get closer to the one-year anniversary of that terrible time for Sonoma County and Napa County, your body may be experiencing memories of distress. Also, it hasn’t helped that we’ve had other fires raging north of us.

People are using phrases like, “I’m waiting with baited breath” and “I’m wondering how much more I can take.” Some folks realize that they’re not processing information with ease, similar to what they were experiencing one year ago after the fires. And many are trying to figure out what they need to do to regain their vitality and productivity. Fatigue is running rampant because sleep isn’t restful and rejuvenating.

None of those symptoms are unusual after trauma and chaos. And when we re-experience the memories of the traumatic event, our bodies get even more stuck in the patterns of the symptoms.

Reduce the Impact of Trauma

We can help our bodies let go of the symptoms and the tendency to hold onto those patterns. By balancing our energy, we can create new patterns of balance and ease that our bodies will see as more desirable.

Self-help acupressure is a natural, effortless way to remind your body how to be in breath, how to let go of stress and anxiety, and how not to take on stress. You can relieve discomfort and pain, balance your emotions, boost wellness, and improve performance in your daily activities.

Daily Practice

A daily practice of balancing your energy allows you to become a partner with your body. Rediscover your breath, boost your immune system, improve your focus and clarity, increase your vitality, let go of overwhelming thoughts and handle your feelings. You will find that your body feels healthy and full of life when you get your breath and energy back.

Here are a few energy tips that will help you reach health and vitality: To open the breath and calm the whole system:

▪ Hold thumbs with opposite hands

▪ Hold index fingers with opposite hands

▪ Fold arms across chest and hold opposite upper arms

To relieve respiratory distress, such as holding breath or coughing:

▪ Hold the right base of the rib cage with right fingers

▪ Hold right chest below clavicle with left fingers

▪ Switch and hold opposite sides

To release jaw, mouth or throat tension, such as clenching or holding breath:

▪ Cup sternum directly below clavicle with the right hand

▪ Place left fingertips in a vertical pattern below the navel

I hope that you make use of these suggestions! to get your breath back. They can really make a difference!

Sonoma Strong

And to learn even more, join me at the Sonoma Strong Healing Fair on Saturday, September 29th at the Veteran’s Building in Santa Rosa. I’ll be presenting at 11:30, offering more suggestions on how to get your breath back.

I’ll also be teaching in the Kids’ Area at 1:00 and 3:00. I look forward to seeing you there! In the meantime, wishing you ease.

Recovering from the Sonoma Fires

Watching and Waiting

Recovering from the Sonoma Fires

This last week has been one of the most intense and crazy times most of us who live in Sonoma County and Napa County have ever experienced. The loss and devastation are beyond belief. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes. Many are still in a place of uncertainty as to what is next. That is most likely going to be “the new normal” for awhile.

I hope that YOU are in a safe and comfortable place wherever you might be.

I’m one of the lucky ones

my home is intact. In fact, the evacuation has been lifted and I returned today to see my home for the first time since Monday the 9^th at 1:00 am when I raced away from our neighborhood. If you’ve been reading my Facebook posts, you know that my kids, Nicole and Chris, have been on the property on fire watch – keeping the buildings and gardens wet and putting out grass fires in the subdivision, along with other neighbors who were doing the same. Over the last few days, they have had to chase off looters who are cruising the areas affected by the fire. How sad that there are people who are hurting rather than helping their community.

I’ve been staying safe with friends in Petaluma. They managed to make me laugh when there was so much to be sad about. Since I work out of my home, I haven’t been able to see clients there. But a friend offered an extra room in her massage studio in Cotati, which has been working out beautifully. I’m expecting to be back in my home treatment room space by next Monday.

Being able to “do my work” with my clients has been my saving grace. Please reach out to me and let me know how you are doing. And, if you or someone you know has lost their home, I’m offering complimentary acupressure/Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions.

As you know, an acupressure session can relieve stress and effects of trauma, help with respiratory issues, correct digestive discomfort and relieve pain and discomfort. Please let me know if I may be of assistance.

I’d like to give you some ways to help your body let go of the build-up of stress.

Healing and Breathing

Easy Self-Help Acupressure Tips from Deborah

As the body experiences balance and harmony, you can relieve anxiety, let go of the pressure and stress, achieve calm, strengthen your immune system, promote healing, relieve pain (chronic or acute).

And super important right now – doing self-help acupressure can help with all breathing issues, including filtering the smoke from your system and relieving cough and sore throat.

Get LOTS of recovery tips in my Seasonal Allergy Guide, free for you to download when you add your email to our list. In addition, you will get the full 9-step Daily Clean Your House Flow.

[constantcontactapi formid=”3″ lists=”1329322227″]

Here are a few of the tips:

To open the breath and calm the whole system:

Hold thumbs with opposite hands
Hold index fingers with opposite hands
Fold arms across chest and hold opposite upper arms

To relieve respiratory distress, such as holding breath or coughing:

Hold right base of rib cage with right fingers
Hold right chest below clavicle with left fingers
Switch and hold opposite sides

To release jaw, mouth or throat tension, such as clenching or holding breath:

Cup sternum directly below clavicle with right hand
Place left fingertips in a vertical pattern below the navel

I hope that you make use of these suggestions! They can really make a difference!

Additional Energy and Recovery Tips

How you can speed up recovering from the Sonoma Fires:

Please wear your masks when you go outside. The air quality is poor after the fire.
Stay hydrated.
Get electrolytes into your system (coconut water is a great source, Smart Water, as well as electrolyte powders).
Take your EFA’s (essential fatty acids) — omegas are a natural anti-inflammatory.
Consider taking a supplement that will help your respiratory system get clear and stay clear (the ones I like are Dr. Michael Murray’s Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health and Clear Lungs by Ridgecrest).
Drink Throat Coat tea.
Get enough sleep.

It is important to keep your stress level down and your immune system strong right now.