Page 36 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine

move merfolk. move Mindfulness for MerMaids

MERFOLK SUPPORT FROM A MERMAID THERAPIST

gratitude when your serotonin levels may already be
At Fins Magazine, we recognize the importance of
community, inclusion, and wellness especially in The practice of honoring oneself is a skill like any other you may deeper than the Mariana Trench from the trauma of
these troubling times. The purpose of this recurring 2020.
segment will be to discuss issues within the community have mastered already, though I will be the first to admit it can be
with honesty and transparency, and provide support difficult to remember that fact.
as well as resources. We welcome the community to To set yourself up for self-care success I recommend
request topics that would be relevant or helpful to the starting with nutrition, physical exercise, and self-love.
community, or submit questions anonymously. I believe in swimming to my own song, so allow me to bare my
scales.
As the Winter begins to fade there is a gentle stirring that occurs. The mindful merfolk would be wise to not
underestimate the power of nutrition in one’s mental
I found myself confiding to Pat recently that I just did not have it
It can be noticed in the earth when the snow melts and the air in me to write this article. I felt disconnected from the message I health. Vitamin D, known for playing an important
role in regulating mood and decreasing depression, and
fills with the sound of running water, or seen in nature with the knew I wanted to share. tryptophan, a naturally occuring amino acid substrate
budding of the new blooms. involved in the enabling of serotonin production, can
That’s when Pat, Editor in Chief and living incarnation of morale both be found in common foods recommended for
For mermaids, Spring brings with it the sweet promise of support here at Fins Magazine, blessed me with a realization. It’s important to practice the skill of praising yourself and
returning to basking in glorious sunshine and enjoying the open a healthy diet and lifestyle. Oily fish, poultry, and egg yolks are recognizing your worth.
good sources of vitamin D and tryptophan. Tryptophan can also
waters once again with finned friends. She reminded me it had been nearly two months since I had worn be found in spinach, seeds, and pineapple for those that prefer a
a tail. I had been trapped as a two-legged and weakened from You are, and always have been, more precious than any tail that was
Since the last publication, I have seen a rise in the need for self- Covid, separated from a part of my life that brought me joy. I felt meatless lifestyle. ever made.
care and self-love not only within this community but also within stuck.
my clinical practice. The Winter depths were dark and indeed full Once you have fueled your fins with a well rounded nutritional Consider viewing yourself as your most prized treasure. The way
boost, it is time to work up a sweat.
of terrors. This realization brought with it the challenge to find a way to you might treat your tail, tending to it lovingly and with care, show
become free again. I felt a longing for a freedom that felt like from that to yourself. When you think about how to engage in self-love,
During this time of rebirth and renewal I am urging my clients, before the world stood still. As the start of the season fast approaches, now is the perfect time ask yourself this question, “What makes me feel loved?”
to begin training. Spending just thirty minutes a day doing any sort
and my beloved community, to consider this an opportunity to
begin practicing good habits for mental health. And then it hit me like a fin flap to the face: it was movement I of movement will allow for the production of endorphins to help I treat myself with care by guiltlessly enjoying a slice of warm
craved. shake off those winter blues. cinnamon bread with some nutella before bed, and sticky notes on
Engaging in regular physical exercise not only produces a mood my office desk hyping myself. This makes me feel loved by utilizing
Movement is the spirit of Spring that pushes the promise of a boost, but also helps to improve sleep, regulate appetite, and the things that I associate with love: verbal affirmations, warmth,
brighter dawn through the darkest night. and cinnamon.
support digestive health. Your movement can be personal to your
tastes and does not even require equipment. I’m looking at you -
There is movement in the waters of the melted snow as it flows As we move into this new year, I cannot say for shore what the
towards the ocean. It is in the earth as the first sprouts break those dancing divas that let it all loose while cooking dinner. waters will bring us. I do know one thing that is certain though: I
through the soil to reach towards the sun. And it is in us present in Explore the wealth of resources out there that meet you at the level have never seen a more beautiful movement than merfolk in the
the form of blood flow through the body, the network of electrical water.
impulses that move our muscles, and in serotonin in the brain, an of activity where you currently are and work to safely build upon
important neurotransmitter that serves as a chemical messenger firm foundations of solid form. I have faith that we will rise with the tides just as we always have
to help regulate mood. before. Just remember that when you’re feeling stuck, you’ve got to
And lastly, remember to do something good for your soul.
move, merfolk.
On a basic molecular level, we were born to move. Perhaps you
have also been feeling stuck in the muck, and are unsure of how to Moving from a place of negative self-talk to an oasis of self-love From all of us at Fins, remember that you are enough, you are
begin. I have found myself lately often asking my clients, “How do begins with practicing gratitude for the little wins along the way. worthy, and you are loved.
you eat a whale?” The answer is, “One bite at a time.”

With any skill, whether it be breath holds or behavioral ms.faelyn
modifications, the important thing to remember is to show fb: ms.faelyn | @ms.faelyn
email: msfaelyn@gmail.com
yourself grace in the beginning. Photo credits:
createwellllc Ms.Faelyn is a professional therapist and mermaid. Through
@createwellllc her column, Mindfulness for Mermaids she explores how the
Remember that it can be difficult to start showing yourself fb: createwellllc world of mermaids relates to mental health. She has been with
sillymagic PhotograPhy Fins Magazine since its first issue as a model, she has also
36 @sillymagic_PhotograPhy been a Fins Merbassador and now a columnist/reporter. 37