Anxiety. Lack of security. Money issues (never enough, anyone?). These three things are simply symptoms of a deeper, root problem. A problem that we all have, to some degree. More importantly, a problem that you have the power to change.
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How many words on this list describe you?
- anxious
- worried about finances
- restless, or having a hard time getting moving
- dislike of structure, or too rigid with daily habits
- overweight, overeating
- feeling disconnected from yourself, your body
If you can relate to at least two of these things, keep reading.....I'll share what they all have in common, and steps you can take to improve these things.
Survival and safety
Our first and most basic needs as a human being relate to feelings of safety and survival. You come into the world as a helpless infant, completely dependent on others for survival. Ideally, you would be welcomed and loved by both a mother and a father, receive physical and emotional nourishment, and be in a home where you are protected and safe.
When these basic needs aren’t met, we have undercurrents of fear and insecurity that plague us throughout our lives. We become dependent on outside sources for our security and develop an unhealthy relationship with ourselves and others.
When your survival is threatened, you feel anxious, fearful, insecure, and worried. This can show up in your finances and your physical body.
Financial insecurity
Are you worried about your finances?
Money plays a hugely important role in our society. It is the means by and through which we acquire physical security and get our physical needs met. Money, through the work we do and the service we provide, indirectly relates to our sense of self. Because money is necessary for us to have food, shelter and clothing, it is deeply tied to feelings of security. If you grew up with any degree of lack with food, shelter, or clothing, that will show up in your life as insecurity tied to money.
It's important to note that the lack can be a real experience you had as a child. But insecurity and anxiety might also be present even if you physically had enough but for some reason emotionally felt that you lacked food, shelter or clothing.
If you have emotional and childhood wounds around security (and we all do), money will be an issue in your life in one way or another.
Here are some signs you need healing:
- You constantly spend everything and don't save
- You never have enough money for your needs
- You save and save and are afraid to spend what you have
- Being in debt, especially if it's growing
- Not keeping track of your money and how you spend it
Anxiety, lack of security, and financial concerns
Not having enough money for your needs triggers anxiety and feelings of insecurity. This is a root issue for all of us. We need and want to feel secure, and we look to money to provide that security. Of course, it's also possible to have lots of money but still struggle with finances and feelings of insecurity around money.
The solution is two-fold. First, address and heal from your money issues. Second, create and develop a sense of security separate from money.
Love your body!
First and foremost, survival is about the physical body
The physical body must be nourished and feed regularly. Our bodies need protection from the elements, which we get from clothing and shelter. We also need protection from physical harm.
Yes, these things are very basic. But if you have feelings of anxiety, lack of security, and financial issues, then it's highly likely that you need some healing related to your physical body and sense of security.
Think about your childhood. Did you have a nice, warm home? Enough clothes? Food? It's possible to have all of these things and still have issues. Maybe you had clothes, but they were hand-me-downs and you were picked on by your classmates. Or maybe you brought a lunch from home, while most of your friends had money to buy lunch at school. These feelings of separation lead to insecurity and anxiety as well.
How you relate to, treat, and think about your physical body can also indicate problems with feeling safe and secure.
Here are some signs that you need healing in this area:
- You are or have been a victim of physical and/or other types of abuse
- You sleep too little or too much
- You have erratic eating patterns or eat unhealthy food
- You have an eating disorder or food addiction
- You criticize your body and don't give it proper care (physical movement, exercise)
- You feel that you're not allowed to physically take up space, to exist
Anxiety, lack of security, and your body
When you struggle with sleep, food, and exercise, your body suffers. You become anxious and uncomfortable. You get sick or don't feel well, and you worry about having enough time to take care of yourself. Money comes in to play because you feel like you need more money to eat right, and you can't sleep more because you need to work more.
Again, the solution is two-fold. First, address and heal from your physical body issues. Second, create and develop a sense of security by using your body to your advantage.
Creating safety and security
To find healing from anxiety, worry, a sense of lack, financial concerns, and physical challenges, dig deep and get to the root cause. One of the best places to start is with these deep issues and needs we all have of feeling safe and secure. Take some time to ponder these things in your own life, and see what surfaces for you. If you have a hard time allowing yourself to sit down and just think or write about things, that can also be a sign of imbalance in this area!
The Root Chakra
Feeling safe and secure, and getting rid of that anxiety, is energetically part of the first chakra. This root chakra forms the foundation for all others. How we connect to the earth and relate to our physical bodies is the foundation for how we move through this world. The issue discussed above are all about this chakra.
You can find healing from anxiety and these other imbalances in your finances and your physical body by engaging in some simple practices to help you feel more grounded. The more you can connect with your physical body and with the earth, the less anxiety you’ll feel. You will start to feel safer and more secure, which will transform your relationship with food and money.
Here are some simple practices you can do to feel more grounded:
- Get outdoors and spend some time in nature. Barefoot if possible!
- Do some gentle exercise or physical movement every day.
- Try grounding yoga poses, like mountain pose, child's pose, and squatting.
- Take time to eat. Sit down and eat slowly.
- Give thanks for your body. Make a list of everything you’re grateful for about your body.
Because the root chakra is about our physical body, doing things physically is important. However, affirmations are always useful. A few you can use to help are:
I love my body.
I appreciate my body.
I am safe.
The last one is the most important, because it gets to the root (pun intended!) of the issue. Repeat to yourself over and over, “I feel safe. I am safe.” Allow yourself to actually let the feeling of safety encompass you.
Anxiety, security, and feeling safe and grounded
- Explore issues of finances and your physical body - look at your childhood and your current life.
- Be gentle with yourself and give it time! Lasting change won't happen overnight.
- Create feelings of safety by connecting with the earth and with your physical body
How do you deal with feelings of anxiety, lack of security, and finances? What grounding activities help you the most?
Thank you so much for sharing this. I really enjoyed the read and I learned something definitely. Keep it up! I will keep this in mind and share this with others as well.
I’m so glad you found this helpful! Thanks for sharing, too.