There is no denying that we all are feeling some added stress these days, but hopefully we are also finding some ways to calm ourselves and relieve any anxiety that pops up. I find ways to cope using a few Eden Energy Medicine (EEM) techniques and thought that this would be a good month to share some of my favorite EEM techniques that help me to find a sense of calm in my life.

Taking Down the Flame is an exercise that can help ground us, relieve stress and anxiety, and is great to do before bed for a better night’s sleep. Take a deep breath in and out with your hands on your thighs. On the next inhale, raise your hands on either side of your body and connect them above your head so that your fingers and thumbs meet.   Bring them down to your head, touching your thumbs to the top of your head, and exhale. Inhale and bring your thumbs to the middle of your forehead, exhale. Inhale and bring your thumbs to your heart, exhale. Inhale and bring your thumbs to your naval, exhale. On the next inhale, flatten your hands on your thighs and move them down your legs, and off your toes. Then trace your hands up the inside of your legs, finishing in the same spot you started.

Heaven Rushing In helps us to tap into the bigger picture of the moment and find a sense of gratitude in our lives. Place your hands on your thighs and take a few deep breaths to ground yourself. Then on an inhale, raise your hands to your sides and over your head, touching your hands above it. On an exhale, bring them down to a prayer position in front of your chest. On the next deep breath, open them wide to the sky above your head and stay there as long as you need to. When you are ready, bring your hands to your heart and breathe a few times feeling a loving, peaceful energy in your heart area and throughout your entire body.

Calming the Triple Warmer Neurovascular Points helps relieve anxiety and worry and is one of my favorite go-to exercises for a quick reset. Place your thumb, first and middle fingers in a cluster together, called a 3-finger notch. Then put those fingers at the “V” at the bottom of your throat above your collarbone. If this feels funny, you can use a flat hand over this spot. Place the other hand on the side of your face with your fingers flat at your temples. Take some deep breaths and then switch sides. 

When we get overwhelmed, we lose blood from our brain which can make it hard to think straight. Holding points on your forehead, called the Main or Frontal Neurovascular Reflex Points can draw blood and oxygen back into your head so that you can find a sense of calm. You hold these points by placing your hand over your forehead. I like to hold these points with one hand and place my other hand over my heart, at the back of my head, or below the area under my belly button. Hold and breathe deeply for as long as it takes to feel calmer.

(Originally published in Front Porch Magazine, February 2021)