This week, I had the great fortune of sharing my faith update in my women's church group. The process of preparing for my faith update led me down a purposeful path of reflection - where I had been, the challenges that have served to shape me, and the opportunities that I still sit with in the present - all guided by the grace of God. One of the concepts I leaned into to express an area of present focus is that of dropping stones of offense. It is both with great blessing and with great challenge that we have all encountered painful offenses and wrong-doings in life. We are presented the opportunity to learn from these experiences and also to not be hardened by them. Simultaneously, we are deeply enticed by a desire to carry with us the proverbial stones from these battles for use in future warfare. Our 'stones' may form in the way of psychological defenses, doubts, fears, or anxieties, or they may exist in the form of retaliatory readiness to judge, speak ill, or protect our personal judgments. The unfortunate reality is this arsenal is heavy, not helpful.

In learning to (trust we can) drop the stones, we invite the idea of imperfection into lived reality. Yes, I have acquired stones. And I have also thrown them. By laying these stones to rest, I am opened to the grace and goodness that is also within me - establishing a sense of ease and softness that can only be found in releasing these judgements and exercising forgiveness. Judgement is not mine to issue, nor is it mine to be concerned with when others attempt to impose their own. <-- This is freeing. This is humbling. And this is a work in progress.

Schedule a time to connect & let's continue the conversation.

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

Worry is our function of taking a best guess at worst case... and mentally + physically gearing up for it to happen. Although having an understanding of possible outcomes is a helpful skill to navigate life, carrying the worst has its implications.

Worry is usually rooted in a place of good intention. I want to be safe. I want my loved ones to be safe. I want... to make the right move, be cautious, be less troublesome, ensure everyone thinks highly of (...). But when we take a more objective look, we see worry is also a mobilizer for control, distrust, and dis-ease. 

The curious thing about worry is that our bodies and minds know almost no difference between a worry and a reality. Worry generates the same stress hormones as the actual infliction, mirroring the same stress load - as if the worst case is exactly what has occurred. Sustained high levels of cortisol and adrenaline result in a tangible ripple of dis-ease that stems from the seeds of elevated heart rate and blood pressure, poor sleep and digestion, and muscle tension. The emblematic blooms are often that of anxiety, a weakened immune system, and a ripple of system malfunctions and pain. Maybe this is point enough to take steps in disarming and redirecting the intentions within worry... because we know there is no benefit to worry anyhow.

So... worry less then? Easier said than enacted, of course. When working with worry, it is a patient process of unpacking and exploring the roots. What is it we are trying to communicate, or protect, with worry? Where can I redirect the expended energy into reasonable action on something that is within my control? And where can I disarm the worry by exercising greater trust in others' abilities and in God's hand?

Though well intended, worry is wasted -- wasted time, wasted energy. If this is a spiral you find yourself caught in, please reach out. Let's work with the worry and allow your good intentions to gain new modes of expression.

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

"Anxiety" is a hot topic. While clinical (life-altering, life-consuming) anxiety is a real experience for some, it is rare that feelings of anxiousness are occurring in this extreme or that these indicators are anything but reflective of your completely normal, God-given design that enables meaningful engagement with the complexities of life.

The reality is, anxious feelings are normal and healthy. Feeling anxious about the first day at school, a new job, an upcoming move, or big life event means you are aware of the changes upon you and have the skills required to anticipate the impending need to regain alignment or alter your former ways. Even the seemingly 'small' things - an interaction, daily choices, things that stir concern or fear, etc. - are equally important indicators, that may also feel equally sizable in the inner somatic landscape. And that's okay too. Anxious feelings are identifiers that something personally important is upon you, and dually that you have an opportunity to take action or gracefully sit with whatever that is. Hooray! Your intelligently designed systems are working! Now, what will you do with these valuable cues? ← This is the part that sometimes throws us into a spiral of overwhelm, avoidance, distraction, or grasping for a cover-up dopamine hit to mask the discomfort. Imagine the potential if, instead, we turn towards this normal feeling and give ourselves permission to make space for it to breath and stretch and be heard. Huzzah! 🙌

The topic of anxiety has largely and unintentionally generated an avoidance to these essential and normal feelings. While the experience of anxiousness is uncomfortable, rarely is it detrimental. These experiences are actually packed with information that can assist in guiding next steps, preparing us to be alert for the new experience (aka. learning opportunity!), or establishing a literal entry point to working with prior imprints that are ready to be re-written. 

Curious to learn more? Schedule an appointment and let's discover where you are on your journey in health and what you are ready to explore. I hope to connect with you soon!

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

Coffee. Shower. School. Work. Exercise. Unplugged. TV. Reading. Caffeine. Prayer. Family Time. Screen time. Nature. Chores.

What's in your routine? This is a conversation that I continue to bring up... for very justified reasons. How we spend our time and who we spend our time with are primary factors in the curation of our inner and outer environment.

If my routine has me feeling I am always one step behind, my inner environment mimics this reality - I'm on edge, overwhelmed, and perpetually in high gear (hello, burnout!). In contrast, if my routine affirms my needs matter and are (usually) being met, my inner environment follows the same tone - one of contentment, trust, groundedness, and healthy vagal tone. While these comparisons are stripped of life's complexities, they are at the root of two very different and very real realities.

​When working with clients, routine is one of the first factors we explore. If something isn't working, the daily 'program' must be reviewed -- are the settings reflective of the inner and outer environment you aim to curate? The answer isn't a quick flip of the schedule and POOF! stress and anxiety resolve. It is a conversation that brings us on a meaningful journey through mind-body-spirit health.

I would love to continue this conversation with you. Let's find a time to connect.

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

We can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to know. Know what to do, know what to decide, know how to respond, know what's coming next... and the reality is - we don't know. When we come to learn that not knowing is okay, much of this self-induced pressure alleviates. When the reality of not knowing is accepted, we are able to extend newfound grace to ourselves and others and learn to submit to the humbling reality of not having all the answers.

With this shift in narrative, we move into life's moments from an approach of doing our best. The pressure of "I must do this right" changes to "I do not know the outcome, or which of these options is truly the 'right one' (if there is such a thing), and that is perfectly okay." By giving it to God, we understand our role is to do our best, pay attention, and allow for both planned and unplanned movement in the intended direction. 

If it's any consolation, we are frequently reminded that things tend to end up much better than we had anticipated anyway.

In health,
Amy Erickson

Our mind-body-spirit system is designed with greater intricacy than we fully understand. One thing we do know, however, is that what we focus on becomes our reality. If we look for flaws, we find them. If we look for the good, we find it. If we focus on the opportunity in the challenge, the approach is a 180 difference from a viewpoint that focuses on the inconvenience or hardship.

This factual understanding is not a push for 'positive psychology', but rather an encouraging nudge for greater awareness of how you approach valuable moments in the day. If we see blessings and opportunities, the mind is primed for gratitude, problem solving, and flexibility - helpful ingredients for sustaining a positive attitude, even in times of disagreement and challenge.

Whether it's navigating traffic, temper tantrums, or differing opinions - what we look for, we find. If even just for today, look for the effort instead of the irritations and see how this shifts what it is you see.

In health,
Amy Erickson

Not to be taken for granted, the body-mind knows how to heal. Pressing through injury, illness, overuse, spotty nourishment, questionable choices, times of scarcity and uncertainty, seasons of intense change, high stress, trauma, and demanding schedules […] is something that can be handled. After all, you are brilliantly designed to be resilient. 
 
Repetitively recovering and staying dedicated to finding the way (back) to health is a hard-coded ability that tends to endure… at least for awhile… for a season… and likely longer. But it begs to be asked, are these seasons that demand your resilience an exception or have they become a way of life?
 
Has resilience become your wellness strategy?
 
Consciously entering into a partnership with body-mind health shifts reliance off resilience. Routines become reasonable. Boundaries become accepted as standard practice. And 'getting through' is a temporary experience that is endured with patient understanding that this too shall pass.
 
A question to ponder…
What obstacles and habits can you discard or re-write that are built upon a strategy of resilience?

Questions? Comments? Let's connect.
I have a few appointment times available in the coming week.

In health,
​Amy Rena Erickson

How you view your food has a measurable physiological response in the body.
How you view your abilities has a measurable response in the outcomes.
How you view your work has a measurable response in job satisfaction.
How you view your purpose has a measurable response in mental health.
How you view stress has a measurable response in the body and in outcomes.
. . . 
Learning to monitor provides an opportunity to modify.

MONITOR: By stabilizing attention (focusing awareness), we gain an ability to monitor energy and information flow. → Through monitoring, we improve our ability to learn [from the mindset, situation, experience, etc.] by picking up on the subtle details acquired through the senses, bodily sensations, mental activities, and relational interconnection that may be present. By effectively monitoring, we are able to effectively modify our viewpoints and outcomes.

MODIFY: With the focus, depth, clarity, and detail that is acquired through monitoring, we are then able to effectively modify. These modifications can be tangible - pedaling, steering, and braking when learning to ride a bike - or more intangible, such as modifications to viewpoints, attitudes, and emotional intelligence. All producing notable differences in outcomes. 

DEBRIEF: The mind is an incredibly powerful factor in the life equation. Mindset not only matters, it is a strong determinant of outcomes. If you think you can't, you are right. If you think you can, you have a considerable advantage in whatever it is you are dedicating yourself to doing. Monitor your engagement, beliefs, and approach to Modify your resulting actions… all based on the feedback loop presented through mindfulness.

Schedule a One-on-One skill-building session


In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

I tend to be a planner… who prefers to be spontaneous. Hang with me as I set up the point of relevancy…
This past weekend, I vocalized a long-standing motto that has been a guidepost for living in this way -preparation allows me to be spontaneous. It was met with a chuckle as well as an acknowledgement that this makes sense (for me, my personality type… and also for life in general). 
 
Sunday 🎬 Scene: After church, I was open to wherever the day might go. I prepared a bag of hiking clothes, dissertation materials, lunch for the pup, and layers to carry me through the wild weather patterns called “spring” in the Midwest.  ✔️I am prepared to be spontaneous.  (If you're curious, it turned into a glorious day of brunching, napping, and hiking.)
 
You see, if we wait for the moment of application to get prepared, that moment of opportunity might pass by or be more challenging than necessary. While I certainly have an ability to plan the day in advance, I didn't want to. I prefer to be spontaneous. But I have respect for preparing for the opportunities and options that may arise.
 
In a broader sweep of life and skills → If I decide to apply myself to learning [enter the skill], I am significantly more prepared to utilize that skill when it is called upon. 

• Defensive driving to avoid a crash,
• using the heimlich maneuver to save a life,
• pausing before responding (possibly also life saving 🥲),
• slowing down to acknowledge I am upset and modifying as needed,
• holding focus on a singular task,
• recognizing and tending to early signs of stress and anxiety

None of these things are learned in a spontaneous fashion. They require preparation before the scene occurs. Do it daily - the pause, the mind-body system check-in, the mindful movement, flexing the muscle of attention, learning new skills and inner-care method/s that move the needle in life preparedness. Life is spontaneous and largely unpredictable. But investing in preparation for these experiences proves to be a worthwhile discipline. 

​You cannot plan for the unexpected - so you must prepare instead.

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson

Would you consider yourself to have good oral hygiene if you only brush once per week? 
Good mind hygiene also requires consistency.

With even a few minutes per day, we are able to assist the mind in maintaining healthier neural connections (think: integrated thought processes, balanced reactions, greater in-the-moment intelligence). Practices of meditation, prayer, yoga, distraction-free time, journaling, gentle movement, thought-awareness, and other mindfulness practices are all helpful methods for boosting mental health and conditioning the mind for greater clarity. And in alignment with all efforts of hygiene, there must be consistency for the benefits to be realized.

A life without rest is restless.

The above listed methods for mind hygiene have a common thread: they are deliberate and slow. The slow-down can be a challenge for many. It arises as feeling “lazy”, a “waste of time”, not rigorous enough to hit a calorie-burning goal, or overall unimportant in the trajectory of goal-achieving. We are utterly inundated with a push for fast, distracted, scattered, and high-pressure ways of being. The cultural pace of ‘busy’ keeps the locust of control on external sources and out of self-regulated reach… resulting in poor hygiene.

True rest is a break from pressure. True rest is not a break from purpose.

Personally, the practice of slow has become a focal point in my health and spiritual journey. I have made and continue to hold space for rest, for mind-hygiene, for evolving my mind-body connections, and awakening a sense of deep restoration that was previously so evasive. What has come as a result? Peace. Knowing. Space for God's movement. A state of health I did not know before. Clearer alignment to my purpose. Deeper relationships. And many more unspoken undercurrents of system alignment. 

Are you interested in learning more about mental hygiene or other methods of moving the needle in health? Take a peek at my schedule and let's connect!

In health,
Amy Rena Erickson