Hello friends,
How is your nervous system? Mine's been on a rollercoaster.
Since June, a ransomware attack on my bank has locked me and 500,000 others out of our accounts. I'm living on my credit card while I await new debit cards. One key lesson from this: Don't keep all your money in one bank.
Amid this, I went to the vet for a routine doggie checkup and learned that our girl had chipped a molar on one of her dog treats. The density of treats is unregulated by the FDA, and pets chipping their teeth on products for "hard chewers" is pretty common. Because my dog has a heart murmur, she requires an X-ray before she can undergo anesthesia to assess her tooth and possibly remove it. While we don't want our girl to suffer, as all of this was being explained, all I could hear was the sound of a cash register. If you also have a fur baby, you can avoid such a fate by steering clear of any dog treats that are too hard for your fingernail to pierce.
Then, of course, there is the theater of the political stage. Come on, Kamala (!), and may these wise words inspire your path forward—no more playing to the centrists.
To get through, I'm listening to this song on repeat.
I'm also starting my days with Bilateral Stimulation.
What is Bilateral Stimulation?
Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) originated from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro. Shapiro found that moving the eyes from side to side while recalling distressing memories reduced their emotional impact.
BLS engages both sides of the brain through eye movements, auditory tones, or tapping. It has since been integrated into various therapeutic and coaching approaches because it promotes relaxation and regulates emotions.
The benefits of engaging in Bilateral Stimulation include:
Calming - BLS can relax your brain and nervous system, taking you from fight-or-flight mode to a more tranquil state.
Emotional Regulation - BLS helps you manage emotions and stress, making it easier to process feelings and memories.
Reinterpreting Experiences - With BLS, you can revisit and reframe challenging experiences, finding resolution and closure.
Decreased Worry - BLS can reduce worry and boost well-being and happiness.
In the above video, I guide you through four simple yet helpful Bilateral Stimulation exercises. Whether you're feeling panicked or you want to enter a flow state, these techniques can balance your brain hemispheres and bring you back to center.
The four exercises I cover are:
Tapping Sequence - Alternate tapping with each hand in a rhythmic pattern to reset your nervous system.
Shoulder Tap Cross - Enhance the effect by tapping across your shoulders in a criss-cross motion.
Midline Cross Tap - Engage your brain hemispheres by touching opposite hand to knee in a seated or standing position.
Balance and Flow - Use a ball or any tossable object to create a fun and playful pattern that brings you back to balance.
If you give them a try, let me know how they go.
Please cross your fingers for Sheena and me. When you read this, she'll be at the vet (her least favorite place in the world) getting her chest scan.
With a deep breath,
Kelsey
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