HEALTH
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times of uncertainty can bring a high level of stress. some people overindulge in eating, drinking, smoking or other vices to ease their racing mind. But during this time of stillness, the universe is telling us to discover healthier ways to cope.
Here’s a list of the top 5 ways for you to vibrate higher.
By Ashley O.
1. Sound Healing
Have you ever closed your eyes and listened to music and immediately felt better afterward? That’s not a coincidence. The first group of people to heal through sound were the Aboriginals of Australia using a wind instrument called “didgeridoo” to heal ailments. Ancient Greek and Native American medicine men as well as Tibetan shamans used gongs, bowls and chanting mantras to heal people.
Today, sound healing has been known to help improve your mental health, deep rooted traumas, and physical well-being. It involves using vibrations at a frequency of 432Hz (known to be the “heartbeat of the planet”) from instrumental-like gongs, Tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks.
Due to social distancing, many sound healing sessions are no longer available. However, teachers are uploading their sessions to Instagram for you to participate in the comfort of your own home. So, put on those headphones and give it try.
Suggestion: @roxiesoundhealing is one that offers sound baths on Instagram Live. Follow her for more information.
2. Mindful Meditation
Yes, we know. Meditation is hard. Your mind wonders and starts thinking about everything but focusing on your breath. But once you get to a relaxed mental state, according to research, guided meditation can reduce stress, improve memory, decrease anxiety and depression, reduce blood pressure and many more health benefits.
The key is to put yourself in an environment that is as calming as possible. However, that can seem impossible during these times if you have a family with kids running around and a nagging partner also wanting your time.
Suggestion: Find a tucked away place. Whether that’s your bathroom with the lights turned off and candle lit, a closet (yes, I said it) or a garden. Find your happy place and listen to these meditation forums:
1. Librate Meditation - Created by Julio Rivera, an Afro-Latino from New York who wants to empower people of color to meditate. His topics range from dealing with microagressions to developing loving techniques when dealing with difficult people.
2. Black Zen Podcast - Created by two black women who aim to start a new type of conversation.
3. Black Minds in Meditation - A podcast about mindful living, mental health, and living the life of your dreams.
4. Black Girl in Om - Founder, Lauren Ash, helps Black girls find their inner zen.
Photo credit: NY Times
3. Yoga
Breeeaaattthhhheeee. That’s right, inhale and exhale. And also contort your body and balance on one foot while giving gratitude. It’s fair to say that yoga can be a bit intimidating to some of us who don’t see the benefits. But trust, yoga has many health benefits. It can improve your digestive system, posture, anxiety and even insomnia.
Yoga is believed to have been invented by an ancient civilization in Northern India 5,000 years ago. The point of yoga is to connect your mind, body and soul so that it becomes one entity. Your endorphins will boost and you will feel like you can accomplish anything.
Suggestion: Use Instagram to your advantage and follow some of the accounts below for yoga instruction.
1. Faith Hunter is based out of New York and teaches classical yoga internationally for all levels.
Follow her @spirituallyfly to get some inspiration.
2. Brittany Floyd Mayo founded her company TrapYogaBae to “bridge the gap between self-care and cultural relevance.” She uses traditional yoga flows with trap music and also includes a little twerking.
Follow @trapyogabae on Instagram and listen to her #RatchetAffirmations.
Photo credit: Yoga Racheal
4. Aligning Your Chakras
Do you remember when Lauryn Hill would refuse to perform her live sets because she said her “chakras were not aligned”? Some of us were perplexed about what the heck that meant and if it was a justified statement to not perform.
However, aligning your chakras is actually something beneficial and needed to achieve overall balance. Your seven chakras represent self and encompass spiritual, emotional and physical alignment. For example, your third eye chakra helps with your intuition, so when it’s blocked, you might make some regrettable decisions.
How can you keep your chakras aligned, you ask? Guided meditation and healing crystals placed on different parts of your body have been known to keep you balanced.
Suggestion: Find some healing crystals that call to you and try them out. Below is a list of some popular crystals and their benefits.
Photo credit: gettyimages
Credit: healthline.com
Credit: healthline.com
Credit: healthline.com
5. Sleep
Lastly, above all else, the easiest thing to do to maintain your sanity during these unprecedented times is to get a restful night’s sleep. Scientists have learned that a healthy night’s sleep (at least 7 to 8 hours) can boost your mood, reduce high blood pressure, sharpen your brain, fight germs, and help with weight loss.
Suggestion: Take note on these tips below.
1. Use a sleep mask - puts you in a deeper sleep
2. Use lavender pillow spray - relaxes your brain
3. Drink lots of water throughout the day.
4. Workout in the morning to tire your body out throughout the day.
Photo credit: medicalnewstoday.com