I remember when being at ease was a distant feeling. For those who have digestive issues, like I did, I’m sure you can relate. Each day would be filled with hesitation, anxiousness and caution as well as stomach aches, bloating, limited food choices, and I’ll be honest, frequent trips to the bathroom. Relief was often limited and fleeting. Even though now, thankfully, I have a handle on my digestive health, the feeling of ease was still a foreign concept to me up until a few months ago.

When I first started working at Wellness on Whyte I instantly had an affinity for the ‘I Am at Ease’ essential oil blend. I loved the scent, but also the idea of being at ease. I had used at least six bottles of this blend before I sat down to reflect more on finding ease. I realized I didn’t feel at ease…ever. Sure, I felt calm or content for a moment but never truly at ease.

Instead, I was confronted with all the situations that made me frustrated. That was my ugly truth. When I was looking for ease, I came face to face with how often I was frustrated. I realized that my default mode was frustration, like when I was hungry, stuck in traffic, under stress, etc.. (not my proudest of moments).

What I did to find ease was form a self reflection practice, and I engaged in it consistently. In this practice I use a combination of HeartMath®, mindfulness and journaling. I would recommend that if ease feels like a completely foreign concept, to start with just simply entertaining the idea of ease. Begin recalling memories, or a memory that you affiliate with ease. Then take note of it, recall or write down all the qualities about that memory that are meaningful for you. Access this memory more and more frequently, or in uncomfortable situations, to take the edge off of frustration, anger, anxiousness, etc. When you continuously connect to this memory of ease, the body can access this feeling with less and less effort.

It took me months to recall a couple memories that I identified with ease. It can be difficult to develop a relationship with this renewing emotion. However, there is true value in it. Whether your digestion system is giving you grief, anxiety is at an all-time high, or physical pain is unbearable, I believe cultivating the feeling of ease can have a medicinal effect in assisting us through times that are nothing but uncomfortable.

It’s interesting to consider that in Chinese medicine, spring is the season that is associated with the liver organ system. Now that we’re transitioning out of winter, the liver has been quite dormant for the past 5 months; this is not how the liver is naturally inclined to act. The liver has an expansive quality that craves movement.

If the movement affiliated with the liver is congested or stuck, the liver will have a difficult time performing its functions with ease. For example, one might notice emotional resistance in adjusting to the needs of a situation, irritability, frustration, or anger. This undoubtedly affects our body’s ability to feel at ease.

Other common symptoms that can show up this time of year that are related to the liver system are: frustration, gas / bloating, restless sleep, headaches, and allergies.

I hope that with this information each one of us can better understand how our bodies are asking for ease and what steps will bring this concept closer to reality. Here are a few questions you can begin with to explore the concept of being at ease:

• What is your relationship with feeling at ease? Is it unfamiliar or common?
• When do you experience feeling at ease?
• What feelings do you associate with being at ease?

Written by Ashley Perrin