The Freedom From Empty Podcast

4 Steps to Validating (and Releasing) Our Emotions

Emotions are a messenger from our body to our brain; designed to keep us safe. And if we ignore these signals when they are a whisper, they will get louder and more pronounced; ultimately resulting in illness and injury. So, how do we create the conditions to support the healthy processing and discharge of emotions? This podcast explores 4 steps to validating and releasing our own emotions (and providing the gift of validation to others) so that we can respond, rather than ignore or react, to the emotional cues our bodies are sending. 

Lean Back

Often the more stressful, overwhelming and out of control things feel, we hold on too tightly. And in doing so, we separate ourselves from other people and from a larger power in the world that both have our best interest and well-being at heart. When I was brought to my knees by mental illness, I lost my financial independence and my ability to rely only on myself for survival. And still, I was held and provided for in ways I would have never imagined. And in the midst of the struggle was a beautiful lesson: Trust that you will be well, you don't have to hustle to make it so. 

Leveraging Our Energy

The truth is, our energy levels are rarely, if ever, constant. Our energy fluctuates throughout the day, week, months, and seasons; subject to circumstances both in and out of our control. The lyrics from Mary Chapin song come to mind . . . "Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the bug." Life can leave us feeling energized or battered from day to day and sometimes even minute to minute. So how to we align our energy with our tasks and goals to maintain maximum productivity with less spinning of our wheels? And how do we begin to reclaim our energy from things that may be zapping us without us even realizing it? 

Living from Heart Space

Five years ago, I had no idea that there was any such thing as operating from heartspace (as compared to headspace). Now I know that when I am feeling lost, overwhelmed, anxious or untethered, my heartspace is where I will find grounding and guidance. Learn more about the difference between headspace and heartspace, and how to cultivate your connection to your heartspace.

Resources:

https://kajalpandey.com/the-difference-between-living-from-your-heart-space-and-your-head-space/

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17572/7-ways-to-heal-your-body-mind-by-opening-your-heart.html

Change, Grief, and Work Performance

As they say, the only constant, is change. All change, whether perceived as "good" or "bad" requires us to move through the grief cycle. And there is a direct correlation between our movement through the stages of the grief cycle and our real-time productivity and performance at work. By being aware of the emotions we all share as we navigate the stages of the Change Cycle, and the impact of these emotions on work performance, we can better support ourselves and our teams through change. Intentionality and appropriate support around this process can actually help us and our teams return to pre-change levels of performance sooner rather than later.

Resources:

https://www.insights.com/us/resources/coaching-people-through-the-change-curve/

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/humanresources/documents/learningdevelopment/the_change_curve.pdf

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Release, Acceptance, Guidance

Sometimes we hold on so tight to what we think should be that we lose the magic in accepting things as they are. When we release into and accept what is, we can find it easier to move through the world with ease and grace. We also have the opportunity to see that the Universe is sending us information, guiding us along our path, and opening our way before us, before we even realize what is happening. This episode explores the gift of ceding our "shoulds" to something greater than ourselves.

Self-Care Part 1

There is a bit of a debate around whether or not self-care IS or ISN'T selfish. This episode explores the potentially devastating consequences of waiting until we hit our very wits' end before we say, "No." If we aren't selfish sometimes, then we might erupt or throw a grenade when we hit our breaking point. When we throw a grenade into the middle of relationships, teams or organizations, we cannot control the damage it may cause.

Running on Empty Series (Part 5)

This episode is the fifth and final installment in a 5-part series exploring some of the signs that stress is starting to wear away at your effectiveness, health and overall well-being. Based on my own experience, the symptoms I explore in this episode would indicate prolonged exposure to stress without adequate recovery. If the indicators I review in this episode havve become frequent or constant companions in your life, I would suggest that you are reaching a critical juncture.

Running on Empty Series (Part 4)

This episode is the fourth in a five-part series exploring signs that stress is starting to wear away at your effectiveness, health and overall well-being as reflected in different areas of life and health. Each episode also presents one, research-based recovery practice that can help you start to restore your equilibrium. Consider that your body and its symptoms may be indicative of the health of your "root system." Speaking of roots, time in nature or even exposure to nature has been proven to have positive affects on your well-being. This podcast explores more!

 

 

 

 

Running on Empty Series (Part 3)

This episode is the third in a series exploring signs that stress is starting to wear away at your effectiveness, health and overall well-being as reflected in different areas of life and health. Each episode also presents one, research-based recovery practice that can help you start to restore your equilibrium.

This episode explores life circumstances that can shift the balance of well-being toward running from empty, along with signs and symptoms that you are running on empty in your personal life. I also explore the positive benefits and share some tips and tricks which will help you build regular physical movement into your life.

Resources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise#section11

https://www.childsplaytherapycenter.com/bilateral-coordination-important/