by Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND
What are you hoping to achieve or experience in 2021? The one thing that 2020 has reminded us is that ultimate control of your life is an illusion, so it is important to focus on those things that you can directly influence.
There is no doubt that we are in a time of extreme chaos and change. Even if you are fortunate enough not to be caught up directly in the chaos, it is all around us. We are in a time of crisis and change on so many levels - health and healthcare, government, financial security, environment, technology, etc. The time of holding our breath and waiting for things to return to 'normal' is over. It is time to learn how to adapt to this new normal and how to move forward the best way we can.
From a health perspective, times of chaos and change can be an opportunity and a reminder to refocus and to pay attention to what really matters to us. It can be a reminder of the fragility of life and the need to address what we call the 'health basics' - how we breath, what we eat, movement and posture, sleep, stress management, hydration, spending time outside and the time that we spend with family and friends.
Do You Need To Detox 2020?
The emotional states that are the hardest on the body are secrets, being 'on hold', feeling 'trapped' and being 'on the fence'. These states block the flow of energy in the body. They impact how we breath, how we move and every function in the body. Emotions, when not expressed, get stuck somewhere in the body and can start to manifest as various symptoms such as disruptions in sleep, muscle pain, heartburn, headaches, increases in blood sugar or blood pressure, feelings of numbness or tingling and can result in the worsening of underlying conditions or in the manifestation of other more significant symptoms and conditions.
If you need to detox 2020, I encourage you to work with your naturopathic doctor or other health professionals that can provide you with the support and guidance that you need.
What Is Your Word For 2021?
2021 promises to be memorable. There is an expectation of tremendous change - hopefully for the better. When in a time of chaos and significant upheaval it is even more important to set goals and to be conscious of how you live your life.
If you were to define your focus for 2021 in a single word or two, what words would you choose? The words that jump out for me are Adaptability and Movement.
Adaptability
In a time of chaos, it is often a person's (or businesses') ability to adapt that determines how well they get through the change. Adaptability is tied to a person's resiliency and increased resiliency is often linked to a greater level of health or success. A number of things, such as chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, lack of movement and time in nature, and lack of support of can weaken a person's resiliency and their ability to adapt. The following can help a person adapt:
- Detox the Old: Before you can adapt to what's new it is often important to identify, express and process the emotions that you have, especially if the change was forced upon you or unexpected. It is important to process destructive emotions and regrets. If expressing your emotions and letting them go is not a strength of yours, it is often helpful to find the support that you need. Be patient with this phase as it can sometimes awhile. You do not need to complete this phase completely before starting the next.
- Willing to Change: Adaptability requires the desire to change and the willingness to embrace new things. This is not always easy, but it is important. This step requires acceptance, a change in perspective and a recognition that change is a fact of life. Sometimes the change is gentle, and sometimes not. I encourage you to ask yourself how willing you are to change?
- Know Your Limits. Adapting to change is important, but it is not necessary to embrace all change. Sometimes the best solution is to slow down, go back to the basics and regroup. Achieving health is often about doing less and being more conscious of your choices. It is seldom about embracing the latest technology, such as smart watch or devices. Instead it is about doing less, eating whole foods, spending more time in nature and less time on devices and gentle versus intense exercise.
- Set Goals. Goal setting helps to focus the mind and it helps to remind a person what is important. The goals may be about changes to lifestyle, address health concerns or financial concerns. It may include spending more time with loved one or learning a new skill. Goals help a person connect more with their life and can be the anchor that we need to get through stressful times.
- Make A List of Things To Do. Once you have your goals, the next step is to make a list of things that you need to do to achieve them. Remember the saying, 'whatever gets measured, gets done'. The mind likes a 'to-do' list. There is satisfaction in crossing off things that you have accomplished. Affirmations can also be helpful in reminding us and reinforcing the desire to change.
- Follow the Energy. If you feel that the change that you want is meeting with a lot of resistance, you may need to relook at your goals. Moving through life and adapting to change is a 'dance' between what you want and what the world around you will allow. The more you pay attention to this dance, the easier it can be.
- Ensure You Have Support. We weren't meant to walk through this world alone. The dance of life is not a solo performance. The journey is easier with support. Reach out.
Check out some of my other blogs that talk about the impact of the mind on health:
Movement
We often associate movement with physical health of muscles and joints, but physical movement is required for all aspects of health, even mental and emotional health.
Movement is especially important after a year where so many people were encourage to stay home, stay indoors and to limit their activities. Gyms were closed, there was a focus on home delivery, there were even times when people were discouraged from walking outside.
Movement is essential to health - all aspects of health. If you plan to move forward and to make changes in 2021, you will find that easier if you incorporate movement into your regimen. Walking outside is better for the mind than walking on treadmill as when walking outside you are actually moving forward, when on a treadmill you are staying in the same spot - similar to a mind that continually recycles the same thoughts. If walking outside is not advisable because of movability issues or the concern about weather, then indoor exercises are a good start. If you have been more sedentary during 2020 then start gently. I encourage people to shake and to stretch.
- Shaking is a great exercise. Simply shaking a couple of minutes two or three times a day can helpful to loosen areas of congestion. Shaking also helps regulate the stress response and can improve how you manage stress. Gently shaking, whether standing, sitting or lying down, is a great way to start when you want to 'shake off' the old and embrace the new.
- Stretching. After a year of being on-hold, in isolation and waiting for something to change, it is important to recapture our own space. Stretching is our way of holding your own space in this world. Stretching doesn't have to be extreme, gentle stretching is all that is needed. Reach for the stars and gently move the body in all directions.
A friend sent me this video on movement, and I would like to share it with you. Check out other blogs that talk about the importance of movement:
We wish you success in achieving your goals in 2021. If you need any support, please reach out to your naturopathic doctor or to other health professionals. Website: naturopathicfoundations.ca
