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Hey there, beautiful soul!

Today, I’m going to share something that’s become absolutely essential in my own life—especially as a mom and a woman juggling so many things. It’s a simple yet powerful tool I call the Embodied Check-In. It’s a way of bringing your body and nervous system back into balance, even when life feels a little overwhelming.

Now, if you're like me, you've probably found yourself in moments where you feel totally off-center—maybe overwhelmed, stressed, or just disconnected from your body. I know I have. But here's the thing: you don’t have to stay stuck in that place. In fact, there’s something beautiful we can do to shift out of it and re-center ourselves.

Let’s talk about the ABC technique, which stands for:

• A – Awareness
  
  
• B – Balance
  
  
• C – Core Relaxation
  
  

These three simple steps will help you tap into your body, ground yourself, and connect with the present moment in a way that helps you feel more centered and at ease.

Step 1: Awareness – Check In with Your Body

It all starts with awareness. When we're busy or stressed, we often forget to slow down and check in with how we’re actually feeling—physically, emotionally, energetically. So, the first step is to bring your attention to your body.

Close your eyes for a moment, or leave them half-open with a soft gaze downward. Start noticing how your body feels. Where do you feel tension? Are there areas of discomfort or areas that feel relaxed?

Next, notice your emotional state. Do you feel anxious, calm, frustrated, or maybe a little drained? Don’t judge these sensations, just be with them. Give yourself permission to feel what you feel. Often, just acknowledging what's going on inside is the first step toward shifting.

Step 2: Balance – Find Your Center

Now that you’re aware, it’s time to balance. And I’m not just talking about physical balance—I’m talking about balancing your awareness, too. When we get caught up in stress or anxiety, our focus narrows, just like when you’re in a fight-or-flight response. Your body’s vision narrows in on the immediate situation, and you might feel like you're stuck in a tunnel. It’s the body’s way of preparing to either run or fight.

But when we’re just going about our day, we don’t need that tunnel vision. We need to widen our awareness. Look around you. Notice what’s beside you, behind you, and even the space you’re taking up in the room. Balance your physical posture. Maybe you need to sit a little straighter, or perhaps lean back, or find a more grounded stance.

Balancing your awareness like this helps reset your nervous system, creating a sense of calm and ease.

Step 3: Core Relaxation – Let Go and Breathe

Finally, we come to core relaxation. This is where you truly start to bring yourself into a place of ease. Relax your core—your belly, your jaw, and especially your breath. Take a deep, intentional breath. Let it fill your belly, not just your chest. Let the breath soften your body, releasing any tightness or tension you may be holding.

You can also add a little visualization here. Imagine someone or something that brings you joy—someone you love, a memory that makes you smile. Allow that feeling to gently fill your heart and relax your body even further.

An Intuitive Approach: How Do I Wish to Be?

Now, here's a beautiful twist to the practice: instead of following the ABC steps in a structured way every time, you can tap into your intuition and ask yourself, How do I wish to be?

What does your body want to do in this moment? How does it want to feel? What do you need to shift or release to feel more aligned?

For me, when I ask this question, my body often responds by sitting up taller or softening my shoulders. I might feel my breath slow down and my neck relax. Your body will guide you—just trust it and let it shift.

I love this intuitive approach because it’s so simple and feels so much more natural than following a strict step-by-step process every time. It’s like letting your body lead and allowing yourself to adapt to whatever the moment requires.

Practice Makes Progress

Okay, now that you’ve got the basics, it’s time to put it into practice. I want to encourage you to use a Habit Tracker app (it’s a game-changer!) to set reminders throughout your day to check in with yourself. Maybe you set up four or five notifications throughout the day, reminding you to do your ABC check-in.

Start small. Just take a minute or two each time to bring your awareness to your body and your emotions, to find balance and relaxation. And remember, practice is key! The more you practice, the more natural it will become. Soon, it won’t just be something you do intentionally—it’ll be something that happens naturally, even in moments of stress.

So, next time you're feeling a little off, or your child is pulling on your energy, try taking a few moments for an embodied check-in. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can shift from feeling overwhelmed to feeling grounded and connected.

I'd love to hear how it goes for you! Drop me a comment or DM me on Instagram and let me know how this practice works for you. I’m always here for you as you navigate your beautiful, messy, and transformative journey.

🌿 Want to listen to this episode instead? You can catch it here:

👉 The Spiritually Embodied Leader Podcast – Episode Link

Until next time, sending you all the love and ease,
Cynthia 💫