Nahid de Belgeonne, “the nervous system whisperer” is an Author and somatic movement educator. She specialises in helping clients through burnout, anxiety, and trauma-related issues with The Soothe Programme.
She also offers day retreats in London and longer retreats abroad. Click here for more info.
How are you doing this week? I am staying away from the news this week and dropping into moments of pure joy.
Experiencing joy during challenging times is not only possible but necessary for your emotional and physical health. Research indicates that activities aimed at increasing joy can decrease stress hormones, alleviate pain, and relieve depression. Added to that, a positive mental state can strengthen the immune system.
A study by Harvard Health shows that positive emotions play a crucial role in resilience, helping you to recover from stress and adversity. Studies have found that positive emotions can aid in emotion regulation and finding positive meaning in negative events.
Additionally, cultivating joy can enhance problem-solving abilities, flexible thinking, and even disease resistance.
Incorporating practices such as being fully absorbed in what you are doing, feeling grateful for what you have, and self-compassion can help you find joy and build resilience during difficult times.
Here are the three things that gave me joy this week, I’d love to hear from you about your three things!
PS I will engage again but only by going to trusted sources for my news and consume in small doses throughout the week. I am all about the action that I can take rather than passively receiving relentless bad news.
1. Blood oranges from Spain
The mister bought a blood orange tree in my name from crowdfarming and every year I get a big parcel of blood oranges in January. It takes me by surprise every year but there is something abundant and joyful about receiving the jewel-like oranges with their gorgeous scent. I am eating lots but looking out for recipes that ferment or pickle them. I am not a fan of jam as I like foods with a tartness to them. Blood orange marmalade is difficult to set because blood oranges are sweeter than ordinary oranges. If you have any good recipes, please send them my way.
2. Lying in a heap with dogs
I used to be a polly-prissy-pants about personal space and the delineation between dog and human. But these days I feed cheese to my dogs…from my mouth. They tuck up in my joint creases on the sofa while we watch a film with a fire blazing in the background. They burrow their way under the duvet, I wake up with a dog on my pillow snoring into my face where once the mister was. I have no dignity left but I love it. I used to be scared of dogs and now I cannot imagine a life without them.
3. Walking with Friends
I am committing to getting out of the house more as otherwise I could just pootle from the garden to my studio, and back again if I didn’t put in interventions. Last year I sent my dog walking rota to my friends and told them to text me in the morning if they want to come. It all died down a bit towards Christmas and I got insanely busy before I went away. This week I went on two early morning walks with the mister and watched the sun coming up over the beach. A walk up to a hill and a climb down to the beach with my lovely neighbour, who lost her husband last year. There was also a meandering walk from mine to town with a friend, we chatted there and back.
What three things gave you joy this week? Please drop them below.
What’s going on?
Breath to Calm: 30 Days to Soothing Anxiety - 30 days to set you up with a self-practice that will, reduce your levels of anxiety and lower your baseline of reactivity. Clients on this programme are feeling less anxious, sleeping better and feeling more hopeful. £395 includes a private session to unlock your patterns of breathing. Book it here.
Retreats
The next Soothe Day retreat in London is on 18th January at £235 with a delicious gourmet vegetarian lunch. You will enjoy energising and mobilising morning practice and a deeply restorative afternoon practice. All levels are welcome, it’s a great way to start the new year. More info here.
Fit for ever: An evening with Phil Daoust, Chris Van Tulleken and Nahid de Belgeonne
How do we live a strong, active and happy life – whatever our age? Join us, live in London and online, as we share expert advice on how to age better, inside and out.
Date: Wednesday 12 February 2025
Times: 7.30pm-9pm (GMT)
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Chat with me and amongst yourselves
Stay human,
Nahid x
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