Happy Place
Your senses can be your secret weapon against stress
Do you remember the off-color Adam Sandler golfing movie from the 1990’s, “Happy Gilmore”? His character had to learn to zone out in his (absurd) mental Happy Place to tame his anger to win an epic golf tournament. And while it seems escapist, it actually can be a source of relief for your nervous system when done correctly.
As a mother to two little kiddos, I admit to using that mantra in my life to self soothe during stressful times more often than I care to admit: Cat threw up on my bed: “Go to your Happy Place…” Kids drew all over each other in permanent marker 5 minutes before leaving for family photos: “Go to your Happy Place…” An enormous bowl of chocolate pudding hits the kitchen floor and explodes everywhere: “Go to your Happy Place…”
This works for me, solely because I have a physical Happy Place I visit often that my body remembers how it feels with all of my senses. So triggering this memory soothes my nervous system into believing we are actually there, rather than scrubbing pudding off the baseboards. It resets my system from reactive mode back to it’s calm state.
Where is your Happy Place? You know, that place where everything feels correct, where your body subconsciously relaxes as soon as you arrive there? Maybe it’s your bed, a local park or beach, your favorite cozy chair, your yoga mat, or a shady spot in your back yard? Next time you’re there, take a sensory inventory of it (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
We are wired to notice all the subtleties around us with all of our senses, and when you can memorize a place with your senses, it’s easy for your body to shift gears when it remembers the feeling of peace that comes along with those cues.
For me, it’s a white sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico, and a specific spot in particular. On the walk out to the beach from my car, my body just knows: the smell of the Australian Pines, the taste of the salt air, the sound of the waves and birds, the feel of the sunshine on my skin, and the sight of the light shining through the trees on the pathway. All those little sensual cues put me at ease.
Astrologically speaking, Taurus season (April 19 - May 20) is about that - sinking into sensually enjoying life, knowing what we value, standing up for what we’re worth, and knowing where to focus our energy. When we do those things, lovingly tending to our needs, we can move mountains within our life, one choice at a time.
This season is also about observing where our mind has subconsciously put up walls to protect us, which can limit our view and options in the world. So remember to slow down these next few weeks, smell the sea breeze, look around you with fresh eyes, feel what’s most important to you, then find a way to embody that.
And when things get stressful (emotions creeping up for release), seek your Happy Place to help your body move through what’s getting stuck.
Emotional overwhelm is energy that needs movement, so try walking, swimming, paddling, weeding your garden, yoga, singing, dancing, whatever works for you to keep your body from feeling stagnant. Bonus points if you can do it in your Happy Place!
So much gratitude to Katie Piland for capturing the photo above - she worked with the wind and light to capture all of me the other day. She’s a natural and has a talent for coaxing others to shine.
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