Happy Monday, Reader!

I’m well aware that this edition isn’t actually being sent on the weekend. Though I am writing this email on Sunday night, it would be way too late for me to send it.

For this first time in over 4 years since I’ve started my coaching practice, this is actually the first time I’m breaking that “rule” and for good reason.

Since getting home to LA last Monday night post-attending my mom’s funeral, I’ve been feeling pretty stuck.

Pretty much every day last week looked something like this …

After a good night’s sleep and a productive morning, thinking I was going to get to my extremely ambitious to-do list, I found myself passed out on the couch for a 3 hour nap.

I then convinced myself I would be more productive later, only to pass out again around 9pm.

Then I’d start the cycle all over again the very next day.

Either coping with my mom passing away or the LA fires could have easily sent me into a state of freeze on their own, but together?

I’m not surprised at all that I’m feeling this way.

Freeze is one of our body’s natural responses to being triggered and our body’s way of protecting ourselves after a period of overstimulation and overactivity.

It can be triggered by a high stress situation, like being under the threat of the LA fires, an intense amount of emotion such as grief, or from overworking yourself.

Freeze is your nervous system's way of slowing down or stopping the stimulus so you can cope.

Some of the signs that you are in a state of freeze are:

1. Feeling tired, even after having gotten plenty of sleep.
2. Feeling numb or unable to connect with your emotions.
3. Feeling unmotivated or unable to follow through on the tasks you have set for yourself.

I’ve also noticed that when I’m in a state of freeze, I’m likely to fall back into bad habits like eating too much and binging tv.

There is nothing inherently wrong with either of these things in moderation, but the truth is that they don’t do much to help your nervous system regulate itself with any kind of efficiency.

Learning more effective ways to regulate your nervous system is essential for being able to navigate big stressors when they arrive and smaller stressors that happen when you are working on shifting towards your biggest goals. (Anything that is outside of your comfort zone is likely to trigger you in some way.)

This is what Embodiment Practices are all about.

I encourage my clients to have what I call Stop, Drop and Roll Practices to quickly shift out of some of their more triggered states. (In light of the wildfires, it is feeling weird to keep calling them this, so I’m going to abbreviate this to SDR for now.)

Anything could be an SDR practice if it allows you to move from a place of feeling triggered and stuck to a place of being able to take clear and decisive action.

Here are 3 practices I frequently recommend for helping you shift your experience:

1. Energy Work - This can be deeply grounding and help restore a sense of safety, peace, and calm in your body. For a simple Energy work practice, download my free Grounding and Energetic Boundaries Meditation here.
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   ​For a more thorough Energy Healing practice, join me for Energy Work for LA this Thursday night at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Zoom. During this hour-long Energy Work and Somatic Healing practice, I’ll be helping you release stuck stress and fear from your body so you can feel more peaceful, calm, and open to love and support. (This is a by-donation workshop, with all proceeds going to benefit those affected by the LA Fires.) Click here for more info and to reserve your spot.
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2. Freestyle Movement - Put on some music that you love. Move how you want to move. If you feel like barely moving, you could crawl or roll on the floor. If you feel like dancing full on, do that too. The important thing is to follow your impulses rather than overriding them or trying to move past them too quickly.
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3. Box Breathing - While any specific kind of regular breathing pattern can have an impact on calming your nervous system, this one is incredibly useful because it is easy to follow and will result in you taking in more oxygen, which is one of the first things to slow down when you are feeling stress. Breathe in for 4 counts. Hold for 4 counts. Exhale for 4 counts. Hold for 4 counts. Practice this pattern for approximately 3-5 minutes and see how you feel.

What to expect from these SDR practices …

If your trigger is smaller, you’ll likely find that post SDR practice you feel super clear headed and ready to get back to your work.

If you find yourself feeling tired or rundown a little later, try doing the practice again.

When I’m working through a challenge and trying to establish new ways of being, I often do my SDR practice multiple times throughout the day.

Since being tired is my personal biggest sign of being triggered, I usually try this first before deciding to take a nap, vegging out for the evening or going to bed.

When I don’t feel better or more energized at all, I know that I actually need more rest and give myself carte blanche to start again the next day.

If you don’t have a full tank of gas right now, that is totally okay. The most important part is to love yourself and meet yourself where you are.

Trying to push through will only delay your recovery.

Have questions? HMU. I’m always happy to chat about how Embodiment Practices can support you in doing your best work, without burning out.

Sending you lots of love,
Natalie

PS: If you live in LA and need help or want to help others, check out this free resource guide created by Jodie Bentley of Actor Insider.

Help me support LA Fire Relief efforts by attending my Energy Work for LA event this Thursday. Reserve your spot here. (And feel free to spread the word 🙏🏻) There will be a replay if you can't make it live.

PPS: I’ve rescheduled our free Midweek Reset, Embodied Resolutions, that we missed because of the fires for Wednesday Jan 29th at 3pm PT / 6pm ET. It also happens to be the first New Moon of 2024 and I don’t know about you but I’m ready for a fresh start. RSVP here.​

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