Note: this piece first appeared in the May 2006 issue of Clark Wellness ForkBytes.
When I was a child, I was briefly trapped in an elevator with a friend. This was a pretty traumatizing experience, especially for my friend, who from that point on was (understandably) terrified of elevators. So, I decided that, just to be different, I would be afraid of escalators.
Do you know what happened? I actually became afraid of escalators. For years I would go out of my way to avoid having to go on them, and on the rare occasions when I had to step on an escalator, I would sweat, shake, and generally freak out.
As anyone who has visited Washington, D.C., and used our Metro system knows, being afraid of escalators here is extremely inconvenient. So when I moved to the District, I decided that this arbitrary fear I had was not serving me, and I made another decision — I would no longer be afraid of escalators. It didn’t happen overnight, but I can say that now I hop on and off D.C.’s huge escalators with ease.
I share this story with you as an illustration of how limiting beliefs we have about ourselves can affect our lives, and how we can become empowered to change them! Who says you can’t run a marathon, sing a solo, wear hot pink underwear? What ideas do you have about yourself that aren’t serving you anymore?
This month, I want to encourage you to think outside whatever mental box you may have put yourself into. Spring is an ideal time for moving through stagnation in every sense; use the fresh, green plants sprouting up all around you and the beautiful weather to inspire you to challenging yourself on any ideas you have that may not really be true. Below, I’ve shared my top 6 suggestions for facilitating movement through these challenges. Use these tips to help you get moving on every level: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual!
1. Exercise. Physically moving your body is the most profound way to encourage energetic, mental, and emotional movement. You don’t have to become an Olympic athlete; just adding an extra walk around the block or a short yoga practice each day can invigorate your body and mind.
2. Drink water. Water is responsible for supporting movement on the cellular level. Ensure that you stay fully hydrated every day to help your body perform all its functions easily — and you’ll reap the rewards of better energy overall.
3. Eat more produce. Vegetables and fruits are full of fiber, which we all know can get things moving!
4. Change your scenery. Take a different route to work, eat lunch outside in the park, or find a new café where you can sit and read (or people-watch!). Just breaking out of your daily routine — even in a small way — can inspire and energize you.
5. Get a massage. Massage is wonderful for stimulating movement through the lymphatic system and blood vessels, which can prompt you to get moving in other ways.
6. Try the Eleanor Method. As Eleanor Roosevelt suggested, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Challenge yourself. Again, it doesn’t have to be extreme; it just has to push your boundaries. Some ideas to get you started: ask a stranger for the time, pipe up at an important work meeting, or share a secret with a friend.
