A Self-Care Q&A With Rebekah Shaman
This month, for Self-care September, we're shining a spotlight on self-care and cacao. Cacao is a powerful plant medicine and the perfect wellbeing remedy for stress and anxiety so dive into our enlightening Q&A session with Rebekah as we learn what self-care looks like for this modern-day urban Shaman.
1. What does self-care mean to you?
Self-care, to me, means intentionally and proactively taking care of ones physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It involves daily practices and rituals that promote self-nurturing, self-compassion, and self-awareness. I always teach it is the small daily tweaks that make the biggest impacts in our lives.
Self-care can be different for each individual, ranging from simple acts like getting enough sleep and eating well, to engaging in something you love that is not ‘work’, being mindful of what is happening around us, spending time n nature, and having a daily self-love practice so that we are able to meet our own needs, but knowing when to reach out for help and support if things get too challenging.
2. What is the importance of self-care?
Anyone who has experienced burn out - me included knows that Self-care is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. It helps to manage stress, prevent burnout, and improve resilience. When people prioritise self-care, they are better equipped to handle life’s challenges, maintain positive, loving relationships, and achieve their goals. It’s also an important way to recharge and refocus on oneself, ultimately leading to a happier and healthier life.
3. Can you speak on the importance of cacao?
Cacao, specifically in its pure, unprocessed form has many amazing qualities that support health and psychological well-being. Research confirms that cacao helps to relieve emotional stress. When volunteers, who rated themselves as highly stressed, consumed 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate per day for a period of two weeks, their stress hormones and stress-related biochemical agents were reduced.
Cacao also increases the blood flow to the brain, creating more mental agility, awareness and focus. It may also delay dementias like senility and Alzheimer’s, increase skin resistance to UV radiation/ sunburn, slow tooth decay, and can remove heavy metals from the body. Cacao in regular use seems to make the blood clots that cause strokes rare, and with the extra blood flow, keep skin smoother in advanced age.
With daily Cacao consumption, blood pressure can, over time, be normalised ending the need for medication. Cacao also contains potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium which contribute to cardiovascular health. Cacao also has the ability to trigger the release of dopamine and the endorphin phenylethylamine, both of which soothe the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and depression, by helping us feel more blissed out and loved up.
Due to its high valeric acid content, Cacao has stress relieving properties despite the presence of the stimulant’s theobromine and caffeine. Cacao also contains powerful antioxidants along with a significant amount of chromium, which balances blood sugar levels. Additional benefits are found in neurotransmitter modulating agents that act as natural antidepressants by releasing the bliss molecule anandamide, and compounds like flavanols and phenylethylamine that increase serotonin and dopamine production that naturally reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. and increase feelings of well-being.
4. How can you incorporate cacao into your self-care rituals and routines?
Cacao can be incorporated into self-care routines in several ways:
Cacao drink: Enjoy a cup of hot cacao in the morning (instead of coffee), or a cacao-infused beverage, such as a smoothie or iced cacao, to relax and feel uplifted, positive and peaceful.
Cacao nibs or dark chocolate: Snack on cacao nibs or dark chocolate with a high cacao content as a guilt-free treat that can help your sugar cravings and help you lose weight
Cacao face masks or scrubs: With its rich cacao butter that rejuvenates skin, use cacao-based skincare products for a luxurious self-care spa experience.
Cacao and meditation: Cacao can be used in ceremonial or mindful meditation practices.
Cacao and ceremony: Cacao can be used in shamanic journeys to help participants reach deeper states of consciousness.
Cacao and other self-care practices: Cacao can enhance spiritual practices such as gong baths, sound baths, ecstatic dance, yoga etc.
5. How can cacao be used for stress and relaxation?
Cacao’s compounds can promote relaxation by increasing serotonin, dopamine and endorphin levels, which can improve mood and reduce stress. Its natural stimulants, like theobromine, can provide a gentle energy lift without the jitters associated with caffeine, promoting a sense of calm alertness.
6. How does cacao compare to other natural ingredients used in self-care such as lavender or chamomile?
Cacao offers unique benefits compared to other natural ingredients like lavender and chamomile. While lavender and chamomile are known for their calming and soothing properties, cacao has many other beneficial properties that contribute to help us feel more peaceful and harmonious, including caffeine, making it the perfect healthy alternative to coffee.
7. Can cacao be used in mindfulness and meditation practices?
Yes, cacao can be used in mindfulness and meditation practices, because it helps us to feel relaxed, loved up and blissed out we can go deeper into the meditation experience.
We drink Cacao in ceremony to reconnect with our deep inner guidance. During a ceremony you are guided to meet the Cacao Spirit to discover more about yourself, open your heart and find emotional peace and clarity. Cacao is a powerful Plant Medicine that also helps us to release emotional blockages that no longer serve us, find forgiveness in ourselves and others, and shows us the way forward if we are stuck or afraid of making the necessary life changes in order to move on.
8. Any other thoughts or comments?
A daily Self-care practice, is an essential part of our personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find self-care practices and rituals that resonate with you and make you feel more connected to yourself and your well-being. Whether it’s through cacao ceremonies, meditation, or any other method, the ultimate goal is to prioritize self-nurturing and self-compassion in your life, so that you are living the life you love and loving the life you live.
