Finding the Calm Within the Chaos

I've been told that chaos is a good thing. Chaos means your life is changing.

When things get chaotic, the first thing we give up is self-care. We often set aside our own needs (exercise, eating healthy, etc.) in order to fit everything else in. I've been neglecting my yoga practice, meditation practice, my cooking experiments, being outside, and my alone time. I feel drained. I feel this way because I have been neglecting my self-care. My life has been chaotic the past few weeks. Big changes and new things have left me feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I've been stressed. I've been living in fight or flight mode. I've had many restless nights. My brain won't stop thinking. I'm exhausted. I'm trying to find the calm within the chaos. I realized yesterday that how I've been spending my days lately is not what I want. I have forgotten to add things in daily that light me up. I have forgotten what I want and why I'm here. Now it's time to come back. Recharge, revaluate, and come back to centre.

Here are my tips for finding the calm:

1. Deep Breaths

I know it seems simple, but so often overlooked. When we pay attention to our breath, we come back to the present moment. A lot of anxiety is created by living in the future. Breathing deeply into the parts of ourselves where we feel tension or where we are holding stress can help move the energy. Deep breaths are like little love notes for the soul.

I do this whenever I get too overwhelmed.

2. Crystals

Crystals are magical, I promise. Every crystal has their own vibration and healing properties. I wear some on my wrist and carry some with me, everyday. I feel empty without them. I actually notice a difference in how I'm feeling when I don't have them. Some great crystals for stress and anxiety are amethyst, howlite, rose quartz, goldstone, black agate, calcite, and pyrite.

I wear amethyst, rose quartz, and lapis lazuli on my wrist. I carry citrine, rose quartz, howlite, snowflake obsidian, lapis lazuli, carnelian, fluorite, and jet with me. I lost my goldstone (that means I don't need it anymore).

PS. Purple Lotus Health and Wellness (my business) is now selling crystal bracelets.

3. Sage/Palo Santo/Incense

Being an empath, I often absorb other people's feelings and emotions. Sometimes I take these on as my own when I can't decipher between what's mine and what's someone else's. I like to sage myself when I get home to get rid of any extra "stuff" I absorbed throughout the day that might be effecting me. Also, they all have calming effects.

In a private space, I take deep breaths while burning sage and palo santo.

3. Essential Oils

If you're not into the sage, palo santo, incense thing, essential oils may work better for you. My favourite for finding the calm is lavender.

I put essential oils in a diffuser and small amounts on my skin in order to inhale them.

Caution: Be careful with essential oils as some need to be diluted before put on the skin and some cannot be digested.

4. Focus On What Lights You Up

Make a list of at least 10 things that make you happy and bring you joy. It can be anything. Try to choose 1 a week and incorporate it as much as you can. When I forget to focus on what I love, I get even more stressed because I'm not taking the time to recharge myself.

I like having tea in pretty mugs.

5. Gut Health

Our gut is connected to our brains. Our gut health effects our mental health. Whenever I'm too stressed, I notice that my digestive issues are fully present. The two go hand in hand. Focusing on eating foods that are good for our digestive systems will improve our anxiety and stress. Certain nutrients such as magnesium (dark chocolate, yes), serotonin, and melatonin help with stress and sleep. Try to find foods that are high in nutrients that help with stress.

I avoid gluten and dairy. I add in fermented foods for some good bacteria.

Caution: This is what works for me. Consult a doctor first.

6. Faith and Surrender

When there's nothing left to do, pray. Have faith in something bigger than yourself. Ask for help. Trust that everything is happening for a reason. Trust that something good will come out of this. Trust that this is a learning experience. Trust that this is only temporary. Trust that everything is going to be ok. Surrender to what is, instead of trying to control the outcome. Trust. Trust. Trust. Surrender. Surrender. Surrender.

I'm still learning. I still struggle with this everyday. Ask your guides and angels to help you find the calm within the chaos.

We need to remember to recharge ourselves. We need to be able to find the calm in the chaos. We need to remember to make self-care and self-love a priority. We need to remember to focus on what lights us up. We need to find the love in the fear. We need to find the light in the darkness.

Love Lisa xo