Back in 2017, I was a little confused when it came to picking out my professional wardrobe (or at least that’s what I was led to believe . . .)
When I first started out as a fertility coach, I hired a stylist to help me choose the clothes for my first photo shoot. After staying home with my son for two years, I needed a little help making the transition away from the everyday garb of a stay-at-home mom. Anyway, whenever we would go into a store, I would always gravitate to the bright colors, especially red.
And of course, I was shot down.
“Red is a color of passion,” she said. “You’re helping women have babies, not putting the fire back in their sex lives.”
At the time I thought, “Actually, I’m after both things . . .”
Anyway, she won and I filled my closet with pastels. Mint green, beige, white. But it never really felt like me.
Because the truth is, I’m nothing if not passionate. And when it comes to sex, I love that too. So in creating my new brand this year, I decided to ditch the stylist and be true to myself. Red lipstick, red high tops, red logo, and of course, for the keynote address I recently gave in London . . . red dress!
What most people don’t realize, though, is that red is also the color of our first chakra and it’s associated with feeling balanced, grounded, centered, and calm. When your root chakra is strong, it gives you the power you need to move forward with confidence and security.
In short, you feel safe to be the fullest expression of who you are in the world.
I’m a huge fan of nourishing the root chakra because it’s the foundation of all the other energy centers of the body. When your root chakra is off, chances are everything is off.
Some of the everyday things that can affect your root chakra include: not going to bed at a regular time, not fueling your body with nourishing foods and exercise, and not having a regular morning/nighttime routine. Being surrounded by clutter and not creating order in your home is also a no-no.
Some of the major changes that can affect it include: changing jobs, working in a job you don’t like, getting married, getting divorced, starting a new relationship, having a baby, moving house, changing social circles or losing a loved one.
If you think your root chakra might need a little loving, these seven tips are just for you:
1) Routine. The root chakra thrives on stability, so maintaining daily routines is key. Even simple things like making your bed every morning, getting up and going to bed at the same time, and eating at regular intervals can make a big difference.
2) Rituals. Just like routines give you stability, rituals give you comfort and a sense of consistency in the face of change. Part of my morning routine is 15 minutes of meditation, but within that I include specific rituals such as lighting candles, diffusing essential oils, burning palo santo, and saying a prayer.
3) Nutrition. If you’re craving nutrients, you’ll feel hungry. If you’re root chakra is off, you’ll also crave food even if you’re not physically hungry. Comfort eating anyone? Make sure you’re including adequate protein and lots of nutrient rich fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Foods that are red in color such as strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, and pomegranates should also be included along with vegetables that grow directly from the earth such as carrots, radishes, and sweet potatoes.
4) Exercise. Chronic stress will weaken the root chakra in a hurry and exercise is one of the best ways we have to not only release excess stress, but also to let our bodies know that they’re not under threat and it’s okay to feel safe.
5) Grounding. Go barefoot as you walk through the grass, the sand, even the mud. Feel the energy of the earth come up through you.
6) Wearing red. Red shoes, red lipstick, red nails, red stress. Since red is the color of the root chakra, wearing this beautiful color activates it’s energy.
7) Affirmations: I am protected. I am safe. I am supported. (If that feels too far away from your current reality, change “I am” to “May I be)
How do you support your root chakra? Let me know in the comments.
