When we think about energy, we often think about our personal energy levels and the things that contribute to feeling more awake, alert, and ready to take on the day. While our typical go-to’s such as coffee and exercise can help give us a boost, energy is about so much more than feeling energized. It’s about finding a balance that allows us to flow through life in a way that feels more authentic and connected to who we are.
In the well-being space, energy is chalked up to something called “life force,” which is the energy that invigorates us with strength and vitality. As a Reiki Master, I have come to know energy as something that goes beyond physicality and impacts us mentally and emotionally, too. After all, the mind, body, and spirit can all benefit from a little sparkle.
All of this talk about strength, vitality, and sparkle seems great. But, the reality is, we don’t all feel that way all of the time. And, that’s okay — in fact, that’s expected. As humans, we can’t always be perfectly balanced. After all, our lives are incredibly complex. The good news is that there are ways to promote a better flow of energy when we find ourselves in a funk.
What Does Stuck Energy Feel Like?
If you’ve ever felt over-tired or sluggish, you know what stuck energy feels like. But, stuck energy can also feel like more shallow breathing or tightness in certain muscles that typically have more flexibility. It can look like one-sided emotions such as being either too reasonable or overly emotional. It can feel like a need to control everything around you is stronger than ever. Your procrastination might thrive when your energy is stuck. Or, you might be giving too much vs. finding a balance between giving and receiving — which is something that I most certainly experience when I am in need of an energy shift.
No matter how your stuck energy might be showing up in your life, there are ways to get things flowing again and experience a better balance mentally, physically, and emotionally.
How to Shift Your Energy
Even if you’re not familiar with energy or stuck energy, you might already be familiar with some of the tools for shifting energy. Shifting energy doesn’t need to be overly complicated or too woo woo. It can be as simple as playing with your dog or going on a hike. It can look like creating a meal that feels as nurturing as it is nourishing. Shifting energy is all about filling your cup back up with the things that bring you joy, connect you to nature, and remind you of how loved you are.
Here are some of my go-to ways to shift energy and feel more balanced.
Move your body: Adding physical movement to your day can really help get things going and move stuck energy. It doesn’t need to be anything too strenuous, either. It can be as simple as putting on your favorite song and dancing alone in your kitchen or taking the dog out for a walk. Or, if you want to kick things into high(er) gear, you could try a YouTube yoga flow or your favorite at-home cycling class. No matter how you choose to move your body, be sure to take a moment to pause after and check-in with yourself. Notice how you feel after a few minutes of movement.
Meditate: Disconnecting from the outside world and going inward is another great way to experience a shift. One way you can do that is through daily meditation. Just like exercise, the best meditation is the one you will actually do. So, if you only have five minutes to give to your daily practice, that five minutes is just enough. A daily commitment to going inward can help you alleviate stress, calm the mind, and tap into your authenticity with each meditation. I love to keep a journal close by so that I can write about how I feel after each meditation.
Tap Into Your Inner Artist: Getting creative is another excellent way to move your energy. You don’t need to identify as a creative person to do it, either. My favorite way to release stuck energy through art is with some paint and canvas. I play around with mixing colors and using different brushes to create strokes on a blank page. In many ways, unleashing your inner artist is like meditation. You go inward and focus on what is in front of you, with zero expectations. And you’re typically left with something abstract and expressive of where you are at at the moment. It’s a beautiful process!
Free Write: Journaling is another tool you can use to check in with your inner self and release stuck energy. I choose to focus on the words “free write” instead of journaling because it helps me release expectations and let it all out onto the page. Often, the words we hold onto make it harder and harder for us to flow and can create stuck feelings. Putting pen to paper and sharing your thoughts in a journal can help get the thoughts out of your head, which can result in a shift.
Connect With Others: When we talk about energy shifting, we often talk about going inward. But, sometimes a shift can happen through connection with others. The key here is to find someone to connect with who brings you joy — someone who fills your cup up!
Spend Time in Nature: Energy is so potent in nature and it is often a place where many Reiki Masters and energy workers go to recharge. This can feel especially replenishing if you live in a busy city where you are constantly coming into contact with other people who might leave you feeling depleted. Whether it’s a weekend hike or a camping trip, spending time in nature can help you disconnect and recharge.
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