after-care tips

“When it comes to any form of healing, recovery, or transformation, change occurs in pockets, layers, and non-linearity.

When integration becomes a conscious process, it provides a swift path to embodied change.

Integration allows the body, mind, and spirit to assimilate new patterns of existence.”

- Natalia Rachel, Trauma-informed Therapist

Embarking on your healing journey with Spinal Energetics is a beautiful commitment to yourself, and it's essential to honor the process with patience and care. Even the smallest effort can lead to profound shifts as your nervous system processes and reshapes past experiences into new ones.

As you progress through your healing journey, it's vital to be nurturing towards yourself and allow ample time for integration between sessions. Attempting other energetic work within 72 hours might not be ideal, as each session provides valuable insights for your nervous system to absorb and adjust to. Creating space for this integration allows your nervous system to find a new equilibrium.

To make the most of your sessions, focus on self-care and pay attention to your body's cues. It is helpful to audit the stressors in your life and gradually reduce the physical, emotional, and chemical stressors to support your overall well-being.

Here are some nurturing post-care recommendations to enhance the impact of your session:

• Space and Prioritizing Rest:
  Take time to reacquaint yourself with your surroundings through your senses gently. This mindful reorientation fosters a renewed sense of safety in the present moment and encourages a deeper connection with your bodily sensations. Following an expansion, such as opening up and going outside your comfort zone, it's natural to experience the counter response of contraction like needing quiet time, fatigue, or the emergence of old defenses. Remember, the nervous system responds delicately to stimuli and requires time to integrate and reorganize. Be tender with yourself and honor your needs following each session.
  
  Avoid scheduling intense activities or tasks that demand excessive energy expenditure, especially if you're feeling drained. Instead, permit yourself to rest, listen attentively to your body's signals, and adopt gentler exercise alternatives. If you feel invigorated after a session, consider engaging in mild to moderate exercise to integrate this newfound vitality, but be mindful not to overexert. Alternatively, indulge in restorative activities like spending extra time in bed. Your nervous system and body will gratefully embrace these moments of rejuvenation and replenishment.
  

• Nourishing Your Body:
  It's common to experience an increased range of motion alongside heightened soreness post-session, owing to the detoxifying effects. As your body energetically releases tension, previously trapped toxins stored in your body tissues are released, leading to temporary symptoms such as aches and pain, nausea, skin rash or redness, headaches, loose stool, flu-like symptoms, and a low-grade fever. These symptoms are usually temporary, and you can assist your body to recover by opting for nourishing, unprocessed foods and staying well-hydrated. Ideal beverages are water infused with a pinch of sea salt and citrus juice, coconut water, or veggie juices. Eat the rainbow from Mama Nature!
  

• Spending Time in Nature: Connecting with nature, especially by going barefoot, nurtures a profound sense of grounding and connection to a higher power grounding. Research has also shown that grounding barefoot reduces internal inflammation. The natural environment's reduced electromagnetic frequency promotes cognitive clarity and uplifts mood.
  

• Reflecting and Journaling:
  An effective method for integrating your experiences is through the practice of journaling. As you embark on this journey, you may notice shifts in your body's natural rhythms, lifestyle habits, and interpersonal dynamics. Embrace these changes as signs of growth and transformation. During a session, many are filled with clarity and new insights and ideas. Capturing these moments in a journal is a powerful tool, a reminder of your progress, and an anchor to guide you through any moments of uncertainty or temptation to revert to old patterns.
  

• Incorporating Mindfulness and Contemplative Practices: Devote quiet daily moments to clear your mind and center yourself. Establish a dedicated space for contemplation indoors or amidst nature. Whether through prayer or mindfulness practices like guided meditation, breathwork, or EFT, learn to channel your healing and creative energy toward positive outcomes in your life and beyond. Meditation apps may help kickstart this habit.
  

• Self-Compassion and Lovingkindness: Cultivate kindness towards yourself, softening harsh self-criticism and judgment. Embrace nurturing gestures and affirmations to reprogram core beliefs about yourself. One example is consciously softening your body when you notice you are being hard on yourself and offering a nurturing gesture such as one hand on your heart and belly, a gentle hug, holding a pillow, or stroking your skin.
  

• Exercise: Regular, enjoyable movement keeps energy flowing and promotes overall well-being. Find joy in movement that nourishes your body and spirit. Mindful exercises like yoga, pilates, taichi, and strength training are great options to foster physical fitness and a sense of agency. As Dr. Sarah Mckay advocates, when we exercise, we are taking action. We are getting out of our minds and into our bodies. And by moving our body, we remind our brain that we retain agency. Your brain evolved to move your body through the world, so moving your body reminds your brain you’re not helpless — you can still act independently and make choices.
  

• Music: Music has the potential to aid in self-discovery and healing. Choose your music wisely, crafting playlists filled with tunes that elevate and comfort you. Consider incorporating healing frequency music and binaural beats, as they can effectively guide your brainwave patterns toward a more relaxed state.

These suggestions are general and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any health contradictions, please consult your healthcare provider before implementing new practices to ensure they align with your needs and conditions.

Keep in mind that taking care of yourself is an ongoing process. Every action you take towards self-care and nourishment helps you move towards better health and energy. Pay attention to what your body tells you it needs, follow that path of care, and see how it helps you live life to your fullest potential!

If you encounter any healing reactions after your session, learn more about them at: https://www.soulshine.sg/blog/spinalenergetics-the-healing-reaction