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What I Learned to De-Stress & Relax Myself and You Can Too

I remember the nights of little sleep as I awoke with a pounding heart, the hyper-sensitivity of being on guard to ensure self-protection, the stress and anxiety of dealing with family, work, kids and life in general, the negative self-talk that resounded in my head, the depression and low energy, and the feeling of never feeling fulfilled in life.

Does this sound like you?

As I look at my life, one of the key aspects I have learned was the ability to relax. Having experienced stress, anxiety and trauma, ever since I was a child, it seemed to be a relentless struggle to maintain “normality.”

Meditation was the first step on the voyage when I was 16 years of age as I tried to cope with childhood abuse and family stress. It worked for awhile, until I became an adult. Other factors arrived.

Because I had meditation in my life, it didn’t mean the rest of my life had been one of ease, because it wasn’t. I had additional stresses and tragedies along the way, be it personal relationship stress, financial stress, family stress, health, domestic violence, my children’s trauma, and others. I could share more about all of those here, but the details of those do not matter. You see, in all of it, I had one of two choices, end up completely frozen or make a choice to make a change in my life.

Thankfully, I made the change.

What changes did I make? I brought a deeper devotion to my spirituality at the beginning of the 90’s. Yoga soon followed. I invited more meditation and mindfulness on a profound and consistent basis. I sought out other relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, conscious relaxation, body scan meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, aromatherapy, restorative yoga, guided imagery, sound healing, self-compassion, retreats, chakras, creativity, and other methods.

The effectiveness of these techniques over the years assisted me in dealing with anxiety, stress, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal symptoms, nightmares, PTSD, pain and fibromyalgia. And I will add, a happier life!

When my health was affected a few years back with mold illness and its various symptoms, I used many of the methods I described above. Thankfully when we bought our new home in late 2016, it also assisted in my recovery. My health is back, not at 100% as yet, perhaps I would say 75%.

Opening the studio, Meditate Madison, in April 2018, also assisted me because I was focused now on what I had inside my soul to give and be of service to others. By the act of giving, my health increased dramatically.

I have been on a journey, just as you are. I have dealt with daily worries, concerns, regrets, and stress. I found a way to attend to those needs. I’ve cultivated practices to be mindful throughout the day, to let go and relax, to experience calm and peace, to release negative thoughts and beliefs about myself, and to nurture my mind, body, and spirit.

I’m here to do the same for you.

As I have witnessed many people come through the door at Meditate Madison, and the one subject I hear the most is people are dealing with stress and anxiety. Just about every single person mentions this. They come to meditation, to a yoga session, or our spiritual studies. They want to find a way to unwind and feel better as quickly as possible.

As I thought about this recently, I realized that all I offer at the studio is a way to help you to relax, be it mind, body or spirit. This is when it came to my mind, “Deb, you are a Relaxation Specialist. You’ve lived through some of the stressors that others are now facing and now you are capable of being present to assist them in their relaxation journey.”

So, my friends, you can think of me as your Relaxation Specialist!

Starting in May, some of the classes and events I offer will be tweaked with this very thought in mind. I want to help you to relax, be it in group sessions or private sessions. Be sure to sign up for our email list for our updated May schedule, or check our schedule online.

You can learn to relax, de-stress, release negative thoughts, and find calm in your life. The classes will assist you, but the most benefit you will experience will be with private sessions. Why not schedule a 20-minute complementary call and let’s discuss your needs and how I can help you bring relaxation and happiness into your life?

Deb Phelps

Deb Phelps

Deb Phelps is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher, and Practitioner since 1980. She is also a Mindfulness Coach, Sound Energy Practitioner, and Yoga Specialist who uniquely assists her clients to overcome stress, anxiety, PTSD, grief, and other life situations so that they can once again live purposeful, joy-filled lives. Deb has overcome significant life challenges aided by a variety of mind-body-spirit practices. By diligently using these tools over many decades, she found a life of contentment and equanimity. Through extensive education and life experience, including living for one year in a spiritual community, she assists and inspires others to do the same. ~ Deb Phelps, C.MI, MMT, E-RYT500, LVCYT, YACEP