My Top 7 Grounding & Centering Tools Right Now: Winter 22’
The holiday season has a tendency to stir up emotions, memories, and often times a sense of unease. Yet, externally, we’re told to feel joy and witness the sparkle all around us. This can be conflicting and feel ungrounded.
For me, the holidays are my favorite time of the year. I relish in it all. But the grief of missing my brother is a part of my existence. Sitting alongside me as I sip hot cocoa and admire the twinkle of the Christmas tree. Acknowledging that I have both pain and joy, is step one for me to come back to center.
Outside of that, there are tools and practices I turn to. Such as cooking, reading and moving. Little things that help me to find a sense of ease. Whether it’s the holidays season of not, below are a few of my current favorite tools:
READING:
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas
Fiction is a must in my reading rotation. Yet fantasy is a new world ( so-to-speak) for me. Especially romance fantasy. But this series has taken me by the heart and pulled me under. With a whopping 5 books, I gulped down the first 4 like a cool class of water.
Sarah J. Maas is an expert world builder and passionate about the characters within it. As the reader, you become immersed. This especially becomes true in the romantic aspect that leans towards erotic (I’ll leave it at that). For the Lord of The Rings and Game of Thrones fans, this series is for you. The only other thing I’ll mention about the plot is the romance aspect is the icing on the cake. The rest is a story that'll take you away and act as the perfect escape on cold winter evenings.
Buddhism For Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children by Sarah Napthali
This book came into my life out of a need to connect to my mothering journey from a centered place. Instead of a place of survival. I bought this book during a particularly bad week of sleepless nights. Finding myself feeling drained and disconnected. Now, I pick it up whenever I need words of wisdom and encouragement as I move through the parenting journey.
It’s a companion to help hold my hand and remind me to mother from a place of patience and love. Along with a reminder to mother myself. It even touches on the sometimes turbulent experience partners go through and how to gracefully weather those storms.
NOURISHING:
This incredible protein powder is rooted in the ancient wisdom. Meaning it looks at the whole body to offer a clean and nourishing alternative to most protein powders. The powder is created with USDA Certified Organic ingredients. Sustainably-sourced and fairly-trade Ayurvedic herbs . It's also 3rd-party batch tested to ensuring its of the highest quality.
Read more about the brand and founder on The Blog: Ancient Ingredients For Healing: Interview With The Founder of Ayurvedic Protein®.
I’ve always been interested in taking collagen. Yet I struggled to find a brand clean and bioavailable enough to take daily (If you know of any brands I’d love to know). But when I discovered this plant-based collagen blend from my favorite plant medicine apothecary, I immediately wanted to try it.
The dusty pink color of the powder alone makes me excited to drink it in my lemon or burdock root tonic every morning. It contains an array of adaptogens, ancient herbs, and flowers to help aid in repairing the bodies tissues. Which in turn helps the skin, hair, nails, and overall wellbeing.
SOOTHING:
Charlottes Web Hemp Infused Balm
As the last step in my evening routine, I give myself a quick neck and shoulder massage using this amazing CBD balm. Made with peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and full spectrum hemp, this balm feels like a mini spa day.
Burdock root was first introduced to me by my friend Ella, of Plants & Pleasure. She recommended it for my skin which is a constant hormonal acne battle. The first time I tried burdock root I wanted to chug the entire glass. The taste is earthy, yet sweet and very refreshing.
Since beginning to wean from breastfeeding, my skin has taken a toll due to the shift in hormones. I started making a Burdock Root infusion by adding hot water to the dried roots and letting it sit overnight. This gives the plant a chance to be fully extracted of its nutrients and easily consumed. I highly recommend it to those looking to boost immunity, digestion support, and blood circulation. Which helps with inflammation and supports the skin.
LISTENING:
Coincide Seasons: Autumn22’ Playlist
In my new Spotify playlist series, Autumn is first. I created this playlist from songs that nourished me through the season and I now have it on repeat. The songs are soothing, contemplative, and embodies the transformative energy of Autumn. I’m currently compiling Winter 22’ so stayed tuned.
The Life Stylist Podcast with Luke Storey
I’m forever an explorer of health and wellbeing. Luke Storey’s podcast dives deep into all things holistic health, spirituality, and expansion. I recently listened to the episode The Holistic OBGYN on Conscious Birth & Death Practices & Traditions w/ Dr. Nathan Riley. It was incredible. I highly recommend this podcast for anyone curious to explore the alternative medicine outlook.
MOVING:
A couple years ago, I launched this 7-day, self paced, dance yoga course. In it, we dive deep into the subtle body—our complex energy system made up of the 7-chakras. Through traditional yoga asanas blended with dance-inspired vinyasa. We’ll open up stagnant energy channels to realign and reconnect to both the body and the soul’s purpose. Start today!
In times of needing to reconnect back to myself, I take my own classes inside the Coincide Yoga Library. I’ve been loving creating classes for each of the zodiac signs. My current favorite is the 23-Minute Scorpio Season Yin/Yang: Moving Through The Cycles of Death & Rebirth class. Its been a go-to during the holiday season.
WEARING:
I’m in love with everything from this brand. Especially their organic cotton and hemp loungewear.
If you follow me on Insta, you know I can’t stop talking about IMBŌDHI’s sustainable yoga wear. I truly live in their jumpsuits and deeply support their mission and values. Use code COINCIDE15 for 15% off.
COOKING:
Since eating meat again, I’ve been using this nourishing cookbook from my local friend and recipe expert, Tieghan Gerard. Her recipes are comforting and perfect for family size meals.
This is my go-to winter soup. Its light but nourishing with rich flavors of rosemary and potatoes. Perfect for a cozy winter night.
No matter what shifts are happening in your life, remember to turn to what gives your soul nourishment. In every new chapter, let your heart guide you to tools and ways of caring for yourself. Enjoy the process of finding what brings grounding and centering throughout every stage.
Whats been keeping you feeling grounded and centered?
Share in the comments below!
