The Energy Shift
Storm working on shifting his balance and energy
Welcome back to part 3 of our series on working with our energy! If you missed parts 1 and 2, check them out for insights on how your energy impacts your pets and tips for awareness.
When I look back on all the moments in my life when my energy was unmanaged and at its worst, it was showing up in my pet relationships - not in a good way! My dogs were fighting with each other, my horse was running away, and I was left in a crying puddle in the middle of it all.
One tool I underestimated for balancing my internal energy is movement. I wish I had known how big of an impact it has sooner, which is why I’m sharing all this information with you!
We are designed to move. And in our current world, most of us don’t get nearly enough healthy movement in our lives. We spend the majority of our days at desks, in cars, and sitting. We throw in an hour at the gym every few days hoping it will be enough to compensate for alllll the other places where we don’t move, but that often falls woefully short. So we are pent up, which only compounds the stress we’re already experiencing.
The good news is physically moving helps to put the energy into motion: “e-motion” if you will!
Fun Ways to Move with Your Pets
So, how can we incorporate more movement into our lives?
One of my favorite quick fixes in a tough moment is to shake it out! Kids naturally do this; they’re like little energy machines. When you find yourself in a sticky situation where things feel too big to manage: shake your body. Shake your hands, bounce your leg, wiggle your toes, anything to get your body moving. This is a quick thing to do that doesn’t take long, and can even be done in the privacy of a bathroom, or even under a desk if you’re afraid of strange looks. Your pets won’t mind, though, and will probably want to wiggle with you!
While that’s a great thing to reach for in the short term, it’s not going to fix long term stresses. Adding a little bit more engaged movement to your day can make dealing with the constant barrage of life stresses that much easier. Our pets are always happy to help with this!
For dog owners: spend a little extra time on walks. Are you carrying your phone and busy listening to music or podcasts? Turn that off, and begin to notice the sounds around you as you walk. Your dog’s paws on the ground, the jingle of their collar and leash, the sound of their panting and breathing as they walk. Being very present while moving will maximize the positive effects of the motion.
For those with feline friends: they love to move, too, they just go about it differently than dogs do! I have fun doing laps around our basement or living room getting my cat to chase me as we go. If they love to play with tassel toys or strings, drag it with you as you walk (or run!) around your house so you and your cat get in extra steps.
Even yoga and other home workouts can be fun to do with your pets! They often love to come say hi and get pets in the process of pushups, planks, squats and all manner of other exercises.
Horses naturally make us move more with their size and care requirements. They also really appreciate the movement themselves, so any exercise or movement you can do with them will not only improve your mental well being, but will have a positive impact on them, too.
A fun exercise is to walk next to their shoulder and focus on your body awareness next to theirs. Try to synchronize your steps with their front legs. If the rhythm is too fast, try playing with slowing your breathing down to ask them to come to your speed and see what happens. Horses instinctually know that walking together is a bonding experience (as do dogs!), and spending that time with them will support their well being and yours, deepening the relationship along the way.
However you do it, movement is one of the fast tracks to helping manage our energy. The more you can add into your routine, the more you’ll be able to process and move the energy that would otherwise be stagnant and stuck. Our pets want to support us in any way they can, and what better way than to add more movement to the routine together? You’ll both benefit mentally, and it has the added bonus of strengthening your bond together along the way.
Conclusion
Movement is one of the quickest ways to manage your energy. The more you integrate it into your routine, the easier it becomes to process stagnant energy. Plus, your pets want to support you in this! You’ll both benefit mentally, and it’s a fantastic way to strengthen your bond along the way.
If you’re feeling inspired, share your favorite ways to move with your pets in the comments below! And if you’re wondering how your energy is affecting your pet, click here to book a session.
