Tips to Help Balance Metal Personalities

EXPAND THE BREATH 

To make sure that we don’t get stuck at this time of year, mindful breathing is a priority. Breathing properly helps us to feel more connected to the earth and to the flow of life. It relaxes us, takes us out of the busy mind and helps us to feel whole. It’s important to breathe not just from the lungs but from the belly. If you put one hand on your heart and one over your belly you will be able to feel the large intestine expand, followed by your lungs. One simple technique is to breathe in for the count of four, hold for the count of four and release for the count of four. This is a wonderful way to soothe your central nervous system.

 

A HEALTHY GUT FOR A HEALTHY MIND 

How your gut operates affects how you are as a person. If your intestines are working correctly it will help to clear up your mind, banish brain fog and keep you alert and vital.

We now offer a new microbiome test at Euphoria which can give you huge insights into whether your digestion is performing for you or against it. Of course, diet is key. Be sure to eat plenty of leafy greens, spinach and kale for example, which contain plenty of nutrients (Vitamins A, C, and K) and help healthy gut bacteria grow. Fibre is also key and can be found in oats, lentils, beans, chia seeds, almonds and the like. Other gut-friendly foods include live yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and, a favourite in Greece, our beloved olive oil.

 

FIND BEAUTY IN WHAT SEEMS TO BE UGLY 

Finding harmony where there is disharmony is an art that can be mastered and provides a route to positivity and optimism. All around us we can find practices to nurture this outlook.  For example, our founder Marina felt the view of the valley at Euphoria was spoiled by one house. The owners had chosen ugly solar panels over a tiled roof. Likely no one else would notice but Marina! Yet, it really annoyed her! Now she sees it as a practice in finding the beauty, ‘it has its place’ she says, ‘and all the other houses are more beautiful set against it. When you are able to see the world through a higher lens, everything belongs’. 

 

STAY OPTIMISTIC 

When metal personalities feel their fire dwindling nothing is joyful. Whatever our dominant constitution, we all need to find ways to stay sparky and bring in more joy and optimism. We can watch positive movies and seek out the little things we love – cake with a friend, an afternoon swim etc. It is especially important to listen to our inner voice and watch how we talk to ourselves. Marina recommends that you send love to your body, especially the areas you don’t like. How we feel in our bodies is especially important and it’s wise to pay attention to this. Connect with your body, listen to its messages. This takes us out of our heads and makes us more humane and down to earth.  Try exercises that connect to body and help you release emotions in a healthy way such as Qi gong or Yin yoga.

 

ALLOW YOURSELF TO MOURN 

Sitting with uncomfortable feelings can be challenging. If we can acknowledge that when we let go of old mind sets, relationships, jobs – whatever it may be – there is an inevitable period of mourning it allows us to fully step into our emotions and feel them.

A good cry really is good for us; laughter so often follows. In ancient Greek and Mediterranean cultures there was even such a thing as professional mourners; they led the way at funerals weeping and tearing their clothes! Whilst you needn’t stay stuck in the grief cycle too long, forcing yourself forwards to quickly can also open the path to depression. Taking a balanced approach is essential for the metal side of our personalities.