Heart Hack: Heart Hibernation

Heart Hack

One of my favoritest Heart Hacks is a tool I have coined “Heart Hibernation.”

This is for the not-great days. Whether feeling mildly yuck or even extremely upset, this is for those times.

As humans, we all prefer to feel amazing, wonderful, on-top-of-the-world. But we are messy and beautifully-imperfect by design. We are NOT supposed to have it all figured out or hit a 10/10 each day. And there is purpose in the ups and downs of it all—it is this pendulum swing of life that sends us seeking growth, expansion and new understanding. If everything was always great, we would never reconsider, reinvent or reevaluate. It’s the only way to keep evolving.

I used to feel bad about myself when I would slump into my “down days.” I would try to berate myself into “pulling myself together.” But kicking yourself when you are down only serves the staying down part. It contributes absolutely nothing to the rising up.

When I went to my heart for guidance on this topic, I learned that the heart would never dream of saying, “Just get over it.”

The heart reminds us, “This is only a season.” And in our season of not-feeling-great, Heart Hibernation invites us to curl up, cozy up and give ourselves a minute. We need our own loving little self-hug. We need a breather.

Heart Hibernation gives us permission to take a step back. To let it be okay to “not be okay.”

When I am in a Heart Hibernation, I let the feelings be what they are. I don’t like feeling yuck, but I remember - this is just a season and I must allow it to pass. And then I give myself permission to seek ease where possible. I might let the housework go or reschedule things on my calendar that feel too intense. I might choose Netflix and comfort food over a workout. But of most importance is that I am good to me. I talk to myself with self-compassion—in the way I would talk to a loved one experiencing a tough time. “It’s okay Meghan. This is only a season. This is totally natural and normal for every last human. And you are a wonderful person.”

This Heart Hibernation has dramatically changed the experience of my not-great days and I hope it can help you, too.