Vitality: this is an area I’ve not thought directly about as vitality seems to be a result of being balanced and unloading our baggage that we carry.
To unload the personal stuff/baggage - very important. It’s simple, stress and worry and grief take up, use up, an enormous amount of our energy. And the freer we are of these types of draining emotions the lighter and more vital we become. And then life really becomes fun. It took me many years to learn and then do this. Now, we’re never totally unloaded of draggy emotions, but the fewer the better. And this isn’t shedding ourself of the experiences of life, this is emptying the backpack of the debilitating emotions and opinions such as anger, sadness, vengeance, grief, worry, feeling victimized, etc.(add in your own).
Find them, individually, by recalling one’s past, not reliving it, feel and acknowledge the emotion and body tension that will arise; then breathe, cough, cry, scream, write, dance, paint it out. And then thank the emotion for its protection, that’s what such emotions do. Protect us.
As you do this uncovering work ( and it is work), walk in the country, Mother Earth is very healing and Father Sun is extremely invigorating. While walking, imagine earth absorbing negative energies by extracting them through the bottom of your feet and Sun shining rays of energizing light through the crown of your head. You might feel tingling and awakening sensations - all just fine.
‘Awareness’, being awake to our body, our emotions, our actions for in awareness is living. No mindless rote actions but aware of each action even the habitual ones. Care for our inner health as we care for our outer health - be aware of our dreams, emotions, habits, desires, hopes. Let them rise up and talk to you without judging.
On to food - I know that humid, hot weather and breathing smokey/smogey air saps us of vitality and may contribute to other physical/psychological conditions - be aware of such unusual bodily reactions as fatigue, sleepiness, feeling of heaviness of the body, no appetite, joint pain or stiffness, muscle aches, abdominal distention, loose or frequent stools, pain before the period, bleeding mid-cycle, frequent urgent burning urination, etc. Foods that assist in reducing these conditions: cantaloupe, kiwi, lemon, mango, strawberry, watermelon, celery cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, potato w/ skin, romaine lettuce, spinach, barley, buckwheat, corn, lima bean, pea flaxseeds, pumpkin seed, wheat bran (this partial list is from my acupuncturist, interesting that many are summer foods). Avoid: dairy, processed foods, booze, refined sugar, coffee, hot, spicy foods overeating. Try fruit infused water, like placing cut cucumbers or cut up strawberries in a pitcher of water. And drink, lots of water 8 glasses/day. What a difference being hydrated. Look up Chinese medicine for low energy.
Now exercise - a favorite is easy yoga asanas for about an hour, but if time is short then ½ hour. Or do chair yoga, simple effective stretches and breathing that revitalize and relax. Also, walk ½ hour at least four or more times a week or swim or bike or dance - aerobic exercise. Jogging is good to release stress or running away from oneself, which we do not want to do.
Good vibrant health to you.
