As you know I’m all about learning the art of Ultimate Self Care and helping others do the same.
Why? Because I was super-woman for many years and got burnt-out, dried up and lost a lot of my mojo. I also have no doubt that playing superwoman for far too long has aged me somewhat. Perhaps more wrinkles (worry lines) that I may not have had. Some angst in the stomach from too much worrying about everyone, while I ignored my own needs. And the breast-lump (benign), that becomes more prominent when I menstruate, reminds me of the many years of “feeding others’ needs and letting them “milk me dry”. I am thankful this lump stays there to remind me regularly (cyclically) to take care of my own needs and to quench my own thirst. (In other words, feed my own soul needs)
So why have I asked this question? Can self-care stop you aging?
My favourite women’s health expert is Christiane Northrup and I just watched one of her videos. (see below) This woman has some great wisdom about aging gracefully. In fact, aging seems a bit of a fallacy really that we “buy into” because we think “something RUNS in our family”, or because society, the medical system and the media tells us what our menopausal symptoms will be like and what to expect, what will happen to our bones during “the change” or what will happen to our mind as we chronologically get a “bigger number” to put in the “your age” box.
“It is our belief system that “runs” in our family, not a disease.” Christiane Northrup
Wow I relate to this! Self care was not part of our family belief system. It was all about giving to others, doing unto others, and service and self-sacrifice. I learned this off my mother, God bless her! And yes, she would indeed think that God is honouring her for her sacrificial lamb tendencies.
Unfortunately this has aged her in terms of heart health. Loving others over loving herself. Caring for others, over caring for herself. An imbalance of the artery and vein, pumping out blood from the heart – giving -and pumping back into the heart – receiving! It is no wonder she now needs a pacemaker to “artificially balance that”. She also lived into the belief about heart health because her mother died of a sudden heart-attack in her early sixties. My mum has “had her affairs in order” since her early sixties. She made her funeral plan back then, my sister knows “where everything is” and she has not entertained a “heart/love” relationship with another man since my dad left her before she was 60. and she has a daily concoction of pills to keep her heart going. Yes, she is a great woman. But yes I am learning that I do not want this legacy of heart health to “run” in my family.
Christiane in her video below – Belief changes biology – has some great ideas on this and it all comes down to what we believe and I would like to add, what new “self-care” rituals we would now like to enjoy and pleasurably indulge in as 1. we age (numbers wise) but 2. as we become age-less in our mind-set and body-set.
Ageless Goddess Video Series – what you believe changes your biology – Christiane Northrup
And as I sit in stillness this morning and again ask myself what my SOUL NOURISHMENT needs are, here’s what self-care rituals are intuitively calling me this morning to help me be “age-less” and impact my biology – a.k.a state of health.
1. Heart medicine – not of the medical type, but things that stir my soul. Thanks Spirit, that today I have been considering what to do for my upcoming 50th birthday in September. Nothing would “stir” my soul more that to follow my philanthropic love. I have looked at a project in Mexico building a house for a poor family. This stirs my soul and makes me smile. Yes it is for others, but yes too, it makes my heart and soul sing. My ritual therefore will be sitting regularly and asking for support from the Universe to allow me to be part of this project.
2. Be more active in my body and in nature Lately I have noticed I am more inactive physically than I used to be. Not just that, but the nature of my activity has become more sedentary. I no longer go out dancing like I used to. I know longer walk as often. I sit behind my computer far more than ever. What is my soul asking of me today? Exercise and communing in nature. Random trips to the beach. Stop off at the forest. An hour in my garden.
3. Connect with Goddesses of Nature. Who intuitively springs to mind? Flora. Let’s google her! Here goes…”Flora is the Roman Goddess of flowering plants, especially those that bear fruit. Spring, of course, is her season, and She has elements of a Love-Goddess, with its attendant attributes of fertility, sex, and blossoming.” So yes, perfect. Flora medicine – flowers, love, sex….some great self-care remedies!
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