Enjoying the holidays regulated!
A racing mind and tense body can leave you frustrated and exhausted, especially while trying to cope with your own and your loved ones everyday challenges and/or trauma, especially during the holidays. This can lead to a disorganized and chaotic way to live through the holiday season. You may find yourself spending a lot of time and energy continually searching for different approaches to assist you through the chaos. You may feel overwhelmed while making sense of it all and dealing with the stored emotions from the past and present situations. I have experienced this first hand with three children, animals, and family. I had found myself sick after the each holiday because I had difficulty relating my own sensory system and it took a toll on my body. My personal and professional experience has lead me to finding ways to help individuals, families, and the community through Sensory Alignment therapy. In Sensory Alignment therapy varies ways are discussed to explore different the different senses and the body systems to regulate and remain focused and present in the moment and with each experience. Align OT uses evidenced-based interventions and programs with individuals and groups (family and community) to support and assist you while gaining awareness and resilience to feel a little cheer and joy. I will be sharing a couple of those techniques to help you make sense of your present situation and gain a sense of calmness for more improved physical and emotional wellbeing. Through the use of sensory exploration, breathing techniques (shared in the last blog), movement, and sound. This guides and shifts your energy toward a more organized, gentle, creative, and meaningful experience and connection with family and friends, one sense at a time. Here are a couple of tips to get you through the holiday.
Breathing is the most single and effective thing you can do! In my last blog I mentioned figure eight or lazy eight breathing. This is mentioned and explored in the Kids Book: Future World Changers (https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71+d0f12jlL._SL1500_.jpg) .
Research figure “lazy” eight breathing make an appointment with me (https://calendly.com/alignot/one-hour-introduction).
Deep pressure to the hands while clasping hands and pressing the palms together in one way to calm down the nervous system, which includes the sensory system. Using slow controlled breaths like the lazy breathing techniques can help with the effectiveness of the technique. To learn more about proprioceptive input refer to the site provided. https://sensory-processing.middletownautism.com/sensory-strategies/strategies-according-to-sense/proprioceptive/
Watch the video clip of me explaining the technique in my podcast for more input.
Please remember to refer to your physician and/or occupational therapist or your child’s for any further advice and information.
A mindful holiday to you!
Heidi MacAlpine
