Full Moon Crazies and 5 Ways to Cope

I've been good about spending time writing blog posts and over Memorial Day weekend, I figured I'd write up a storm. Instead, I found that I just couldn't keep my butt in my chair. I was overcome with this intense desire to clean out my closet. It wasn't even a decision. It was more of a natural occurrence, devoid of thinking, no different than birds flying south for winter or a volcanic eruption. It just felt right and there wasn't anything that was going to stop me from purging my closet. When my husband joined in on the fun, cleaning out his own closet, it got me wondering, "what is going on?" Why are we doing so much cleaning?

Eventually, I remembered that a full moon was among us. That would explain the cleaning frenzy, sleep disturbances, and erratic energy. It's easy to forget in our modern society, but we are greatly affected by the planets above. Just as the moon affects ocean waves, it affects us as well, especially since we are 60% water.

The full moon can bring with it a tremendous amount of energy, since it is sitting directly opposite the sun, reflecting a lot of light. In this way, the full moon heightens our emotions and senses. If we are in a calm state of mind, we have the potential to be even calmer. However, if we are angry, we may become even angrier.

This is a great time for reflection and introspection. It can also be a great time to make positive changes or let go of any aspects of your life that no longer serve you. It sounds like a chaotic time, but it is possible to harness the full moon's energy to your advantage. On the other hand, when life becomes difficult or you're just having a bad day, the full moon is a good time to rest, relax, and be good to yourself. 

Here are 5 tips to help you cope with a full moon:

1. Carve out some time to focus on yourself and not do any work. Have some alone time and do something you find relaxing. Sit on the couch with a cup of tea and book, get a massage, go for a walk in nature, etc.
2. Take a salt bath. Salt baths are incredibly detoxifying and help aid in the release of old energy and emotions. Mix a cup of sea salt, pink salt, dead salt, or whatever you prefer, into the bath, and relax. Add some lavender and/or geranium essential oil for an extra boost.
3. Check in with yourself and see how you're doing. How are you feeling? Are you on the right path in life? Are there changes you could make? Spend time reflecting or journaling.
4. If you feel compelled, do some organizing or cleaning. Is there a messy spice cabinet that has plagued you for years? Is your closet full of clothes you don't wear? Do you get too many junk emails? Now is a great time to clean! Only do this though if it feels good, otherwise, skip it!
5. Do something creative! We spend so much time working or being caught up in routines devoid of anything creative. Most people don't realize it, but when we are being creative, we are in our most natural state. In other words, we feel our best when we are creating. Being creative could be MANY things: crafting, making music, playing music, cooking, sewing, drawing, painting, gardening, blogging (what I am doing now!) decorating your home, and so on. 

5 Tips for Staying Cool on this Summer Solstice

I wanted to breath new life into an old Facebook post on this topic, so for this Throwback Thursday, here is an updated repost!

Now that the summer months are upon us, the heat is on! Today marks the first official day of summer, known as the Summer Solstice, when the earth's rotational axis is most inclined toward the sun, resulting in the longest day of the year. 

In Chinese Medicine, the summer is associated with the Fire element and our Heart, allowing us greater access to our active, creative energy. The days are longer, gardens are blooming, and the sun is shining, which are the perfect conditions for outdoor activities, social gatherings, and enjoying the abundance of nature.

With the increase in joyful, active summer festivities, it's possible to become out of balance, experiencing issues such as sleep problems, anger/anxiety, restlessness, skin problems, heart palpitations, etc.

To avoid health challenges, here are 5 tips for staying cool and comfortable during the hot summer months:

1) Balance lively summer activities with relaxation. Set aside some time each day to relax and restore. Walk barefoot in the grass, take a nap in a hammock, catch up on some fun reading while sipping a glass of iced tea, relax by the pool, etc.

2) Drink plenty of water! Try to avoid ice cold beverages when possible (cold drinks can cause sluggish digestion). Mint tea and lemon water are great options for staying cool and hydrated.

3) Move your body and get your heart going! It's important to keep blood and energy moving during the active months to avoid stagnation. Find ways of getting exercise that feel good and don't deplete the body. Swimming is a great activity, since it is active, but also cooling. Go on a summer hike, play a round of tennis, go to the park and toss around a frisbee, etc.

4) Eat cooling foods.  Foods such as cucumber, mint, and fresh fruits/vegetables that are in season help keep the body cool, nourished, and happy. Try to eat extra bitter greens such as kale, spinach, and swiss chard. Avoid cold foods, heavy foods, too much sugar, and overeating. If you must indulge in an ice cream or cold drink, try having some ginger tea afterward to help warm the digestive system. 

5) Take time to listen to your inner voice. The Heart in Chinese Medicine is associated with our inner knowing, connecting us to a deeper level of understanding of the world. Set aside time to acknowledge your sense of intuition. Are you doing what feels good in life? If not, now is a great time to make changes.