Self-care after a truffle ceremony

After a truffle ceremony, emotions, thoughts, memories and experiences may arise and be experienced more intensely. Others experience deep peace or energy and inspiration. It is nice to take time for reflection and rest after a ceremony, so that the insights can continue to come.

Our bodies are a physical expression of who we are and a beautiful vehicle for sensory experiences. Our body stores and processes everything we experience: fears, sadness, grief and anger. Breathwork helps you connect more deeply with your subconscious in a different state of consciousness. It can help you better understand parts of yourself or learn about blockages and habits we have formed in life.

After the experience, you may feel relieved, euphoric or calm. You may also feel waves of sadness or worry coming on. These emotions may have come to the surface more as a result of the ceremony. Your emotions come and go and have their function in the entire integration process, without you necessarily fully realizing how it works. That's not necessary. The invitation is to acknowledge and give space to the emotions and sensations that arise. So it is nice not to plan too much after a session.

What can you experience after a ceremony?

• Feelings of joy, relaxation, love and connection

• Increased resilience

• A new perspective, new insights

• Reduction of depressive or anxiety symptoms

• Clarity of thought, inspiration, clarity of direction in life

• Improved mental flexibility (openness of mind)

• Potential risks

• Temporary fear, worry

• Short term: headache, drowsiness, dizziness

• Experiences can be difficult, for example when suppressed emotions come to the surface

Self-care after a breathing session

Don't see this as a to-do list, because then you will miss your goal. It doesn't have to take much time either. Your favorite guided meditation of 10 minutes every day makes more impact than a laundry list of things you don't do. Above all, be realistic and kind to yourself!

• Make sure you get enough rest. This is essential, especially because you can sometimes experience some emotional highs and lows after the session.

• If possible, avoid stressful activities and situations (e.g. work or people who drain your energy)

• Meditate or yoga

• Keeping insights, emotions and sensations in a journal

• Self-expression such as dancing, singing, drawing, painting

• Spending time in nature

• Take a bath or go to the sauna, enjoy a massage

• Talk to friends about the experience who can support you. And be cautious about sharing your session with people who aren't. 

• Listening attentively to music (I share the playlist after the breathing session)

• Other activities that bring you joy, calmness, pleasure, or a sense of awe and beauty (or whatever you want to reconnect with).

• Be aware if you tend to suppress intense feelings, sensations, and thoughts, even if they are uncomfortable. Make good choices around food, alcohol, drugs, use of electronic media, or participation in social activities.

• Take it slow, especially before you act on potentially life-changing insights. So don't suddenly break relationships or quit your job right away. Give those insights the space and time they need.

What if you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed

Recognition is part of the process. If feelings of fear, melancholy or sadness arise, this can be an invitation to go within. Maybe you can find time to meditate, journal, or take a walk in nature.

Another thing that can happen is that your mind starts creating stories about the experience. You may encounter judgments about yourself. Or that your emotions rise much more. This gives you the opportunity to work with these emotions. This integration process can be confrontational and sometimes unpleasant. Notice when you have destructive thoughts or behaviors and see if it feels safe to observe and stay with them. If it is difficult to stay with your feelings, it can be nice to talk to understanding people around you. If you find yourself having difficulty integrating your experience or if the experience is too overwhelming, you can also contact me in the weeks after your session.