As the 2024 election fast approaches, anxiety and fear continue to escalate around us – and for many, within and between us. Many of you have expressed how you are affected by this waiting time. The stakes for many of us are very high – it matters a great deal what happens at a local and national level. While we are waiting, and as we move into whatever comes next, it is important to remember to care for ourselves and each other. With gratitude to Rev. Laura Solomon for her work on some of these materials, we offer a simple daily practice to help regulate our nervous systems and stay grounded in our faith and values.
November 1, 2024: Body Practice “Shaking it off”
Physical signs of stress are a normal and healthy way our body lets us know about the challenges and stressors we are experiencing. However, stress can also activate the body’s fight or flight response. While this is very helpful when we are getting chased by tigers, it is less sustainable when we are dealing with long-term stressors – like today’s news cycle and a stressful election season.
There are some simple things we can do to help our body through the fight or flight response. Movement can be particularly helpful in releasing endorphins, decreasing physical tension, and interrupting thoughts. Any simple and intentional movement can be helpful – activities like running, walking, a silly dance party, tai chi, or yoga are wonderful, as is just moving your body with intention, paying attention to how it feels to move.
Another intentional movement can be shaking – literally “shaking it off!” Check out the videos below for some ideas and information about shaking to calm the nervous system:
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