Have you ever been having a “bad day”, your emotions are in a negative state
- perhaps stressed, depressed, frustrated or overwhelmed- and suddenly you receive some news
or a visit from a friend that completely snaps you out of it?

In that moment you can go from feeling low to on top of the world.
That news or visit created a shift in the way you felt. It’s called “shifting your state”.
Learning how to shift your state in a conscious manner can be a gift to our mental wellbeing.

Here’s my favourite ways to shift my state!


PRESS PAUSE:

It may sound obvious, but when we are in a negative state, feeling flat, overwhelmed or frustrated,
the best way to change the way you feel is to step away from the situation and do something that resets us.
Press pause.

1. Step outside in the fresh air and sip a soothing herbal tea.
2. Listen to a calming meditation.
3. Close your eyes and take 10 deep belly breaths.
4. Eat a meal while mindfully focusing on each mouthful and feeling it nourishing you.
5. Bring movement to the energy around you, play music and turn it up loud,
walk by the sea, a waterfall, or slip into a hot bath.

CHANGE YOUR SELF TALK

Words can have the power to change the way our mind sees things.

You can use them in two ways to shift your state:
  • As positive affirmations that create the way you feel- eg repeating “I am focused and calm” as you breathe deeply.
  • Resisting the urge to use exagerated language to describe your everyday situations- eg saying “I am overwhelmed” as it will take you into the feelings even deeper.
Notice your regular patterns of thoughts and language:
  • When people ask how you are, try shifting from a mundane ‘not bad' to ‘GREAT!’ and see how it makes you feel.
  • Describe your days as ‘full’ not ‘busy’.
  • Instead of “I should do this”, “I want to do this”.
  • When facing challenges, look for what you can be grateful about from the situation.
  • Remind yourself that worry is often just the stories of what could happen that play out in your mind.

FOCUS ON GRATITUDE

Did you know that your brain cannot focus on negative feelings and gratitude at the same time?
When you move your thoughts to gratitude, it switches off the fear or negativity.
  • Instead of “I have to go to work”, “I get to go to work” (and remind yourself you are lucky to have a job!)
  • “While this situation is really challenging, I am so grateful that ……”
While ever we are alive and breathing, we have something we can be grateful for- remind yourself of this so you don’t waste a precious day. This isn’t a practice run, this is our one precious life!

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy is one of my favourite ways to change the way I feel.  As the alchemist behind our iKOU essential oil blends- I love creating blends that have the power to bridge the gap between how you are feeling, and how you would like to feel. 

Essential oils don't only make you feel good because they smell nice- studies have shown they also have the ability to create a shift in our emotions simply through inhaling their scent.

I love mindfully choosing an iKOU essential oil to diffuse each day.  I keep all my bottles lined up on a tray and close my eyes and inhale the scents to listen to what my body and mind are drawn to. 

iKOU essential oils have been expertly blended to create the shift you are seeking.

This ritual of essential oil selection works in harmony with the way aromatherapy works best.  Aromatherapy is not just to make the room smell different- it's to make you feel different!

Here’s a few examples of my favourites I recommend to have on hand to choose from as you need:
Inhale the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils for an instant, transformative effect on your mood.

You can enjoy them in a diffuser in the room, or by enjoying a spa ritual with iKOU body products that are blended with essential oils.
Try these tips next time you want to feel different and connect with the power
of being able to bring movement to your thoughts and mind.

Energy attracts energy. Where focus goes, energy flows.

I hope these tools help you shift your state to boost your mental wellbeing!

x Naomi

About Naomi Whitfeld

Naomi Whitfeld is the Founder of iKOU and author of the book "Energise your life".

Her passion for inspiring others to live a life of wellness & joy shines through in everything she does.

As an intuitive Aromatherapist, Naomi incorporates mind & body benefits into all she creates, believing we respond best when we treat as a 'whole".

Winner of the Telstra Business Women's Award for "Entrepreneur of the Year", and "Wellness Warrior of the Year" in the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Awards, Naomi has a particular interest in supporting busy women to enjoy rituals of self-care on a daily basis.