Is pain taking over your life?

Women holding her head in pain

I understand all too well about life altering pain! I’ve had times when a part of my body hurts so much that it’s all I can think about.

I remember what transpired in my garden when I lifted too many heavy pails of water one afternoon. I should’ve known better. Right? Well, I injured my shoulder and arm by doing too much.

We’ve all done it. And afterwards, we can be so hard on ourselves! “Why wasn’t I smarter than that?”

But when the pain really kicks in and starts to affect how you’re thinking and what you decide to do and not do, it’s time to investigate possibilities of “what can I do about this pain and help my body heal?”

It’s one thing to have pain resulting from a physical injury like what I just described, or pain from a physical ailment. We can usually wrap our minds around those kinds of issues that create pain in the body. And if we don’t push our body to keep on doing, and if we help the body let go of the inflammation, we can often help healing take place.

It will usually take some extra attention, and of course, I’m suggesting you make use of self-help acupressure to help get on the other side of a pattern of pain.

Emotional Anguish

What if you’re living with the pain for so long, and it just becomes what you expect? And then what happens if your mind and emotions play into that way of being?

What if the pain is happening because of emotional trauma, like losing a loved one or exposure to violence? Or what if the pain is a result of feeling lost and isolated and maybe anxious and depressed?

That kind of pain can be just as debilitating because it’s often harder to figure out what is hurting and how to fix it.

Pain can create such deep, intense feelings that the senses get all caught up in “this way of living.” Well, your body would appreciate if you had another way of dealing with it and helping it not go in that direction.

You CAN change the patterns of how you talk to yourself and how you treat anything going on in your body and help it release old physical, mental, or emotional traumas.

Read on…

Self Conversations

Here are some possibilities of conversations you could be having with yourself about emotions and feelings in association with living with pain:

** Concern and worry

“What is happening with my body?  What do I need to do to get rid of this pain?”

This state of unknowing can lead to extreme nervousness and then confusion. And then it becomes almost too easy to go to “what am I doing wrong?” And, when you get caught up in that place, you start questioning yourself about almost everything?

When you’re stuck in that negative mode, it’s important to change your way of thinking to “what are some other possibilities?” That way you’ll increase your chances of getting answers as to how to take care of the pain and many other issues going on in your life. You and your body are now living in the space of believing that you ARE doing everything right to take care of you.

 

** Major fear that life is going to get really impacted

“What will happen if this pain doesn’t go away? What if this leads to something even worse?”

That sense of “feeling and being out of control” can lead to anxiety. And that’s one pattern we want to help our bodies not experience because it will cause aggravation of pain. Anxiousness is more like a “moment in time.” Being in a state of anxiety can become an issue that can become a project that then needs to be remedied.

The key is to help your body recognize that you and your body together CAN change the trajectory of thought patterns and improve your emotional state of being.

 

** Frustration and anger

 “This pain is driving me crazy. I’m so frustrated that I can’t do what I want to and need to do.”

Significant irritation at how you have to live day-to-day with pain can create belief patterns that cause you to feel like you’re unable to change something that could make a difference in your activities, relationships, and life – personal or business.

 

** Sadness and grief

“Life is so empty, and I can’t find a way to be happy.”

When pain takes over your day-to-day existence, you can all too easily begin to “miss how things used to be.” When the energetic body recognizes that you’re missing an integral part of yourself and can’t locate what you’re searching for, the body starts feeling like something has been lost. Then comes a state of sadness and grief for what’s missing.

A life that doesn’t seem happy creates an unhappy body. A body that’s experiencing lots of pain is most likely not in a state of experiencing joy and happiness.

 

** Trying too much and trying too hard – efforting

“My body doesn’t want to do what I need it to do. Everything seems too hard to do, and there’s just not enough time to do it all.”

When pain takes over the body and causes life to feel overwhelming, even expected and often simple daily activities take too much energy and can deplete your overall vitality. If you had vitality and the ability to be an “energizer bunny,” and now that’s missing, you and your body are experiencing a significant sense of loss and not knowing how to live in the world.

Energy Balance

So why this lengthy description of emotions and feelings when we’re discussing pain?

Pain causes so much “stopping us in our tracks” that emotions need to be addressed as we travel the journey of helping our bodies release the symptoms of pain and what is holding the pain IN the body.

When you dive into all that can be affecting your body, you’ll travel through all the systems and places that are being reactive –

  • Respiratory
  • Digestive
  • Elimination
  • Muscular
  • Skeletal
  • Vascular
  • Cognitive
  • Emotional

 

Additionally, you will connect with your

  • Adrenal
  • Endocrine
  • Immune
  • Lymphatic
  • Nervous systems

so they can easily support your WHOLE body fully.

For instance, you may notice that when you’re experiencing a stretch of pain, it’s harder to get a full inhale and exhale. Your breath MUST open up to help spread the energy and be able to let go of ALL that’s in the way of change and healing.

Breath

Do this energy flow to open your breath AND to release the tendency for inflammation to be present in the body when there is injury, ailment, trauma, distress, and the emotions that are talking back. Doing this energy flow will also help your body rediscover easy and comfortable movement:

Right hand – hold fingers on the left elbow

Left hand – hold fingers on the right elbow

Left hand – move fingers to the base of the right front ribcage

Right hand – move fingers to right chest below collarbone

 

Inflammation Release

Do this simple energy hold to remind the body that inflammation can let go and not be a pattern.

Left hand – hold fingers on the outside of the left knee

Right hand – hold fingers on the outside of the right knee

 

Be in Flow

Follow with this simple energy flow to remind your body to be in flow and breath and calm!

Right hand – cup your sternum directly below the collarbone

Left hand – hold your fingers on your tummy below your navel

Use these acupressure flows using light gentle touch to get back into an energy balance for your body, mind, and emotions.

 

What I just shared with you is just the tip of the iceberg that I will be covering in the upcoming THE GREAT PAIN ESCAPE workshop!


>> Get all event details and register<<


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Be Ready to Adapt (a family camping story)

Agate Beach high

I recently returned from a magnificent 10-day camping vacation with my family, but I’m having trouble BEING home. It was so much fun I want to be back there – camping, experiencing everything again, and seeing what other adventures we can create.

Writing these words and seeing the photos bring me back to the magical spots that entertained us daily. Northern California is truly a beautiful place.

Although I hadn’t been tent-camping for years, I was prepared. We’d planned the locations and logistics for weeks, and with self-help acupressure I prepared my body for what I was going to ask it to do.

I was super lucky I was with my ‘kids’ who set up my tent and got me situated. In many areas out in the boonies, we experienced supreme quiet as we talked around the camp fire and gazed at the stars. We created delicious meals in our campsites, and even treated ourselves to a few delectable dinners out.

We just hung out at camp a few times during the day, but we usually went on excursions, heading to some of the most amazing and phenomenal destinations imaginable.

big white tent

Day One – Host Tent

GLORIOUS DAY ONE

Our first campsite was over five miles off the main road on a dirt road that was bumpy and rutted and thoroughly worked my Subaru. The destination was off the grid in a glorious spot in the forest where we enjoyed tents set up for us. And the camp hosts made us wood-fired paella for dinner!

What a great way to start our journey!

Deborah with binoculars

Deborah with binoculars

shelter cove

Shelter Cove

SHELTER COVE

We left our boonies campsite the next day and headed to Shelter Cove on the Lost Coast. I’d never visited before and was excited to find this to be truly one of the most magical places on earth! Many enthusiasts partake in a 2, 3, or 15-mile hike along the coast.

We chose to just hang out on the beach. That’s where we experienced true magic because the “normal” is fog, cold, and wind. But not for us! Shelter Cove was crystal clear, sunny, and warm.

River

Klamath River

KLAMATH RIVER

The next campsite was on the Klamath River. We opted to take a short drive to the Salmon River to enjoy a river beach and hang out.

The river was cold, but we were taking plunges into the pools. Yep – even me, who doesn’t like cold! I had to talk myself into it when everyone around me was diving into the water.

But I did it. And now I can say, “I did it, and I’ll do it again.”

We enjoyed it so much we returned to that same beach for a second day. Listening to the water and feeling the moisture in the air was so beautiful, especially when the overall temperature was pretty intense.

fossil beach

Fossil Cliffs

TRINIDAD CLIFFS

Another exceptional excursion was outside of Trinidad, where we investigated a beach cliff known for fossils. And there we sighted two otters playing in the water.

Check out the sunset we enjoyed at the end of the day.

Sunset Trinidad cliffs

Sunset View

AGATE BEACH

The last campsite was at Sue-meg State Park, formerly named Patrick’s Point State Park. The highlight was beachcombing along Agate Beach.

Agate beach low

Agate Beach

We reminisced about the times 30 years ago when we’d hang out at the beach and collect agates that were memorable in quantity and size. This time there were fewer, and they were smaller, but it was still a fun adventure.

It was another magical moment because it was crystal clear, sunny, and warm, unlike the usual fog and cold. We were wearing multiple layers of clothing that got peeled off as the sun heated the air and the sand.   

Village houses

We also walked to Sue-meg Village, a reconstruction of the Yurok village, and we investigated the buildings and garden. We enjoyed hiking up to the top of Ceremonial Rock. That was another walk down memory lane! You can easily imagine the Yurok people creating, living, and loving all parts of their village.

Nichole and Tree

Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park

The second morning at Sue-meg, we drove north to experience one of the most beautiful drives through the redwood forest you could imagine. In fact, I requested that we drive through that stretch for a second time. We were in the Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, and no one could ask for a more gorgeous way to fully experience the majestic redwoods.

FERN CANYON

The last morning of our ten days of camping was spent driving to Fern Canyon. I’d been told that it was magical. And it was! Situated in the Murrelet State Wilderness area, it’s a destination you don’t want to miss.

Deborah Ferns trail

Deborah on fern forest trail

Fern Wall

Fern wall

Imagine walking on a trail through this narrow canyon with steep cliff walls that are totally covered by ferns. And flowing down the walls, you see and hear gentle waterfalls seeping out of the canyon walls and flowing gently into the creek below. The sound of the water was beautiful and soothing.

 

BE READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Can you see why I didn’t want this 10-day adventure to end?

Every day was filled with magic. Plus, I got to spend it with my adult children. What parent could ask for anything better?

This trip was truly incredible, but it’s not totally where we initially planned to go.

Originally, we were to start in Lassen National Park for some hiking and fly fishing, but it was closed because of major fires. Trinity River was next on our list for more fly fishing, but the heat and smoke forced us to head west toward the ocean.

Agate Beach and the redwoods were in the first plan and were amazing to wrap up our memory-building trip.

And although I didn’t get any fishing in, the opportunity sparked my desire to return to that blissful experience. I will once again stand in a river in my waders and cast my fly rod! And hopefully, to more camping and enjoying quiet, joyful family time.

So, the message that I got was loud and clear — be ready to accept that change is always a part of life, even a vacation, and be prepared to go with the flow, no matter what you’ve planned.

Nicole and Deborah

And experience the FUN that life is ready to give you if you just allow yourself to be available for the possibilities and open to the opportunities!

And remember, be good to your body as you take it to new destinations and experiences. Prepare it for what you want to do, and know how to help it heal from any incidents that happen along the way.

*********

 

the great pain escape

The Great Pain Escape

Check out my October workshop “The Great Pain Escape” to discover how to reduce and prevent pain in your body and build emotional balance.

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Stress in Summer – What a Bummer!

Woman cooling face with table fan

Summer is SUPPOSED to be FUN! Right?! That’s what we all plan for.

From our early childhood, most of us couldn’t wait for school to be over. Then we could do all the fun activities we wanted to do, and not the things we HAD to do, especially studying, tests and exams, and being in bed at a particular time.

My memories as a kid included bicycling daily, going to the lake to fish and swim, hanging out with friends, and reading all the fiction I could get my hands on.

Remember those days? What did you look forward to every summer – where you could almost predict the weather and how your days would unfold?

Now, here we are as adults. We definitely do things differently in the summer. Our activities revolve around being outside and using the longer daylight hours. And of course, most of us are all about enjoying the sun and the warm, balmy weather.

But we seem to now be living with extremes, which can bring on a lot of unexpected mental and physical stress.

MOTHER NATURE 2024

glowing sunset, fire, and thermometer

Because of the heat and wind, many are dealing with uncontrolled fires that create havoc, cause loss of homes, and result in losing a sense of well-being. I know that many areas of Canada and the United States are experiencing all that and much more because of fires and drought.

All that smoke affects the quality of air and our breathing. Instead of enjoying being outside, people are forced to stay indoors. Many people are having major respiratory issues show up. Other health issues create the need for medical intervention.

On the other side, many areas are experiencing intense rain. The weather is taxing their infrastructures – properties are flooded, roads are torn apart, and water systems are failing. Because of drainage and flooding issues, people are forced to boil water until the water systems are repaired.

Yep. Mother Nature is demonstrating that we have absolutely no control over our regular summer routines or the special activities and trips we have put into our calendars.

RECOGNIZE THE STRESS

pondering woman looking through window at rain

So, why my dissertation about Mother Nature and our hopes and plans for ‘normal’ weather to enjoy our summer?

Did you plan a fun adventure for yourself or your family but it got disrupted because where you were going is no longer feasible, or unforeseen weather events have occurred in or near your home that are thwarting your plans?

You may very well be experiencing the stress of figuring out how to deal with it all, what options you might have, or how to look after yourself and your family.

To support your mental, emotional, and physical stress, it is essential to help your body FEEL at ease and calm, to have your body experience expansive inhale and exhale, full vitality, and the ability to go with the flow no matter what is happening in your world.

What your body wants more than anything is the ability to be prepared for whatever you’re going to ask it to do and be prepared for whatever might come towards it. That could be physical or mental or emotional.

We don’t plan on experiencing stress, but we live in a world where stress exists, and when your routines and plans are impacted or blown up, they CAN be stress-inducing.

HOW TO GET THROUGH IT

So, here is the key. YOU can help your body feel prepared, cared for, healthy, and vital no matter what happens around you.

Spend time each day balancing your energy by doing:

  • self-help acupressure
  • meditating
  • breath exercises
  • doing yoga or Qi Gong
  • walking
  • gardening
  • forest bathing
  • beach exploring

 

Do what you can do under your circumstances. When you can, create physical experiences as you discover or rediscover the beautiful places you can visit and enjoy near where you live.

And if you have plans and maybe even a vacation that just got reconfigured because Mother Nature or something crazy took place, just recognize that YOU can help your body avoid the consequences of stress.

Instead, help your body recognize that change does not mean there is a space for anxiousness to be created.

GET YOUR FINGERTIPS READY

Women holding neck and elbow for relief

Here are some self-help acupressure tips I’ve been using for myself for the last few days.

I’m one of those folks having to accept that we need to change our plans. Our family camping vacation is now being redefined because of fires in Northern California. And, as I’m doing my energy flows, I’m also sending ease and calm and balancing flows to those who have been impacted by the traumatic experiences they’re going through.

You can do the same by using the following simple energy tips. Use your fingertips and hold the suggested acupressure points with a very light, gentle touch as you do them. And remember, there is no wrong because there is no right.

  1. The Daily Clean Your House Flow™. Doing the Daily Flow brings me balance and a firm foundation for my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. (If you don’t know the Daily Flow, you can get it here).
  2. Jumper Cables. It’s the 9th step of the Daily Clean Your House Flow. My body immediately experiences deeper breathing and brings calmness as my body says, “You don’t need to go to worry, fear, frustration, sadness, or trying too hard or too much. In fact, your body doesn’t want to live in any of those spaces.”
  3. Cup your sternum under the collarbone and hold your other hand on your tummy. This simple energy hold brings breath and calm and lubricates all your tissues, including your throat, sinuses, eyes, and ears, as well as your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This simple energy tip will help with shortness of breath and dry throat.
  4. Hold the base of your skull and the outside of the wrist to connect with the entire nervous system. It will bring calm, the ability to connect with focus and clarity and let go of any anxiousness. It looks like this:
    Right hand – hold the right base of the skull
    Left hand – hold outside of right wrist on little finger side
  5. And use your Thermostat Controller if you need to cool down!
    Hold the outside of your knees. This is how you can regulate your body temperature. It’s also an anti- inflammatory point. So, it’s a great energy point to have in your “remember to do this off and on throughout the day”.

 

I wish for you a fun-filled and safe summer, whether it’s planned or spontaneous. Stay stress-free and remember to GO WITH THE FLOW!

 

 

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Magic in Your Own Fingertips

Two palms facing up witih a glowing light coming from the center

Have you ever known someone you just can’t get enough of? Someone that’s wise, and funny, and inspiring. For me, that’s Vilma Ginzberg.

I’ve worked with Vilma for over 13 years. She is a retired psychologist, an exceptional writer, and a poet laureate. I relay that information because even though she’s almost 97 years old, Vilma can still express her thoughts and have conversations consistently full of information and insights.

I am inspired every time I see her, and genuinely hope to be like her as I mature into her age.

She’s generous, too. In the beginning of one of my books, “Easy Self-Help Acupressure for Grown-Ups”, she wrote,

“Using Deborah Myers Daily Clean Your House Flow routine is better than being a couch potato. This routine, done daily like brushing your teeth, is easy and rewarding.”

When I recently saw Vilma, we discussed my work with schools and students of all ages, plus workplace wellness programs. I commented that I love helping others discover how to balance their energy daily so they get from where they are to where they want to be.

As I continued doing the energy flows with her, Vilma said that she felt the energy flowing, and it felt like magic. Then she elaborated,

“You know. We carry this magic in our back pockets all the time. Often, we just sit on it instead of pulling it out and making use of it.”

Vilma had hit the nail on the head!

We both started laughing because, as you may know, one of my favorite comments is that we walk around with our fingers 24/7. We just need to pull them out of our pockets and make use of our fingertips to touch energy balance points and help our bodies find physical, mental, and emotional balance and harmony.

Vilma and Deborah with fun Christmas hats

Vilma wanted me to show you our holiday picture. I brought the headbands along because I wanted to see that girl smile!

Yes, Sit on Your Hands!

Vilma and I also talked about how one of the Daily Clean Your House Flow® steps is sitting on your hands. That energy balance point is all about vitality and helps your body discover alignment.

When that point is in balance, we are genuinely pulling the magic out of our back pockets and connecting with all the possibilities that are ready to happen. We just have to give those possibilities a chance to show up.

Then there’s the pose that is sitting on one hand and holding the other hand on the opposite shoulder. That pose helps the body release blocked energy and move the energy throughout the body, allowing the meridians and channels to flow easily and effortlessly.

That is when the organs and body systems can fulfill their tasks, and your body experiences balance, rhythm, strength, health, comfort, stability, and happiness.

Can you see that when you help your body be prepared for whatever you want it to do, it WILL respond by taking you forward?

A Special Gift from Vilma

Here is the poem that Vilma wrote for me after the very first time she came for an in-person acupressure session.

healing hands

for Deborah Myers

© Vilma Ginzberg 09-22-2010

you invite me to your table

padded curved and angled

to accommodate my bone-outlined

flesh-defined body of exhaustion

I spread myself atop it

my yesterdays of try-to’s

planked across its ridges

unfinished have-to’s

making stiffened bridges

of old intent preserved in rock of habit

I hardly feel your first fingers

your touch puff-wing light   butterfly-soft

don’t you need something more jack-hammer-fisted I wonder

slow as morning light washes over doubt

melts layers of thought-armor

polishes the rusted jadedness

softly  subtly  slowly they come

subtle awakenings

stirrings of flesh    and feeling

worlds entire fall apart while other worlds congeal

universes faint away

give birth to new constellations

you move soundlessly around this altar to life

where I am both sacrificial lamb      and sacrament

soon I am as a sauce spilled on shapeless sheets

our mutual though silent rejoicing fills the empty spaces

outside the nearby window finches feed

gratefully on your thistle-seed

and some small uncaged bird in me

chirps again

Let’s pull your MAGIC out of your back pockets so you can achieve whatever you want to have happen in 2024!

Yes, I do in-person session at my home in Santa Rosa, CA, but I also help people to learn how to do self-help acupressure themselves.

Check my online calendar to see what might work best for you. Go to Deborah’s Calendar!

 

 

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Start your year off with a gift to yourself

Do Anything Better workshop promo with determined lady

Is there something you want to achieve or exceed at this year? In your business, personal, or school life?

Let’s get you on the right path to manifest your dreams at my new Do Anything Better workshop!

At this 3-session class, you’ll discover easy self-help acupressure techniques. This experience will open the door to better performance, balanced emotions, and overall life improvement by learning how to manage your body’s energy.

Event Details & Registration! 

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Hormones, The Good, The Bad, The Balanced

Woman-Butterfly-MetamorphosesAre you feeling healthy, vital, vibrant and comfortable in your body?

All of those are signs that your body is in a state of balance. If you have moments in the day where you’re just feeling “off”, the chances are good that you just may need to tweak one or more of the following: your diet, “busy scheduling”, exercise, sleep time or “time you spend in your head”. And, of course, it just might be good to add in a few more energy balancing flows to perk up your entire system!
If you’re feeling “off” and tired, fatigued, and maybe even “out of sorts”, your hormones may be in a state of imbalance. Balanced hormones help all the systems in your body to work together easily and effortlessly. And when they’re balanced, everything you’re already doing for your body, mind and spirit will be that much more effective. In addition, your body will be less likely to even experience symptoms of stress if your hormones are regulated. We usually hear more about hormones when women are “going into menopause”.

Hormone health is appropriate conversation no matter your age

Hormones are always in flux and therefore finding balance is a life-long goal. At my retreat on September 7th, we will be experiencing energy work (Jin Shin Jyutsu/acupressure self-help) and yoga that will be all about the endocrine system. In addition, we will have the expertise of an acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist who will be sharing all about hormones and creating an endocrine system that is regulated and balanced. No matter what your age, plan on discovering what YOU can do to be in a body that is in a balanced state. Join us: me (Deborah Myers), Maria Battista, and Shiroko Sokitch, so you can experience a “me day” at my home and garden! And plan on having lots of yummy, healthy food from Garry and Judy Baker.
Fall_Wellness_Retreat_Flyer_Color_2014
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