2026 Nervous system reset
With the New year upon us, it feels like a perfect opportunity for some good ole fashion nervous system regulation… am I right?!
5 easy elemental practices
With the New year upon us,
it feels like a perfect opportunity for some good ole fashion nervous system regulation… am I right?!
Just because it’s the new year, doesn’t mean that it’s time to change everything… better yet, just some simple fine tuning of some of the ways you already care for yourself and others.
feeling anxious instead of inspired?
pressure instead of possibility?
why does everyone else seem excited - and I just feel overwhelmed?
This is totally normal and it happens to most of us if we are completely honest.
Because there are so many “best practices” out there and about a million different ways you can go about them… I felt compelled to write and share my experience and 5 of my favorites. Self care can feel overwhelming at times and feeling that way about it is doing the exact opposite of the magic we are trying to achieve.
𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫
I like it simple so that we can get right into the softeness, the deep healing, and quiet of our own experience. Right to the good stuff - because we all have nervous systems that want to feel fundamentally safe with expansion, uncertainty, visibility, and growth.
𒇫 Not because we’re incapable.
𒇫 Not because we’re blocked.
𒇫 But because our nervous systems are wired for depth.
Do you ever notice that when things start to go well, our bodies don’t automatically celebrate…wtf?
They brace. Let’s start to change that.
5 easy resets.
based on and connected to the 5 elements.
let us create some slow magic together.
Earth practice.
Grounding. 5 4 3 2 1 method
How: Focus on your surroundings to break the stress cycle: Identify 5 things you see, 4 things you feel (e.g., chair against back), 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.
Why: It pulls your brain out of a spiral of worry and back into the present moment, calming the nervous system.
Water practice.
Movement. Flow. Somatic exercises
• How: Engage in light, rhythmic movement such as walking, shaking out your hands, light dancing, or gentle stretching (easy 5-10 min a day)
• Why: Physical movement helps release stored cortisol and tension, shifting the body from a "fight-or-flight" state to a calmer, "rest-and-digest" state.
Fire practice.
Intention setting. candle gazing.
• How: Prepare the Environment: Choose a dark, quiet room. Place a candle at eye level, roughly 2–3 feet away from your seated position. Sit comfortably with an upright, straight spine. Light the candle and spend 30 seconds gazing at the base of the flame to settle in. Focus your gaze intensely on the brightest part of the flame for 1–2 minutes, Allow your breathing to become slow and rhythmic.
• Why: Enhances Concentration & Mental Clarity: It acts as a "drishti" (focal point), training the mind to remain focused and less reactive. Reduces Stress & Anxiety: The soothing nature of the flame helps calm the nervous system and encourages a meditative state.
Air practice.
breath work (physiological sigh)
• How: Take a long, slow inhale through your nose, followed by a quick, short second inhale, and then a long, slow exhale through your mouth.
• Why: This pattern immediately helps dump carbon dioxide and slows the heart rate, reducing anxiety in the moment.
Ether practice.
Journaling with Bhava Sleepy Head Tea
• How: make yourself a cup of our Sleepy Head herbal tea to help you drop in to your calm and then open your journal and free flow write or draw whatever comes up
• Why: Journaling is an etheric, spiritual practice that serves as a bridge between our conscious mind and our subconscious, facilitating emotional release, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. By documenting our thoughts and feelings without judgment, we can process trauma, grief, stress, anxiety, cultivate mindfulness, and tap into our deeper, more intuitive wisdom. One of my favorite practices by far.
Much like mine, your nervous system may simply be asking for a different starting point.
Instead of asking:
What do I want to manifest this year?
Try asking:
• What would help me feel safer in my body?
• What would create more steadiness, not pressure?
• What pace feels sustainable for me?
• What would it look like to build without burning out?
I have found that from that place, clarity arises naturally.
𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫
Fire Cider Toddy
𒇫
Fire Cider Toddy 𒇫
a grounding herbaceous Winter warmer
adds an immune balancing kick to your Winter mocktails & cocktails.
Our sweet + savory herbal Fire Cider is a natural addition to your seasonal Hot Toddy and pairs well with the spice in a rye, the smokiness in mezcal or a reposado or of course you can find SO many incredible zero proof options these days as well.
**You can also absolutely make this winter warmer without any of the spirits and just with the Fire Cider and the ingredients below. This is the way I drink it most of the time.
𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒:
ground cinnamon (for the rim)
1 tsp honey or agave (to taste)
1.5 ounce Fire Cider
1.5 ounces spirit of choice
hot water
1 orange slice
1 cinnamon stick per glass
garnish of choice ~ we did cranberries wrapped in orange peel on a lavender sprig
𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒:
coat the rim of your mugs with Cinnamon
add the honey, spirit of choice, Fire Cider, orange slice, and cinnamon stick to your favorite mug
top with hot water and stir
add your decorative garnish and enjoy!
wrap yourself in wool, warmth, and bring that fire back into your bones.
As 2026 begins to bloom, I want to say thank you for being here.
As we move into a New Year, my hope for all of us is simple:
That we are true to ourselves.
That we honor our sensitivity rather than override it.
That we nourish our nervous system first before asking more of ourselves. And that whatever unfolds next, does so at a pace our body + minds can trust.
Thank you for being part of this space - for reading, for reflecting, and for walking this gentler path alongside me.
I am truly grateful, and I wish you a nourishing and deeply supportive year ahead.
Rachel
herbalist, owner, and formulator for Bhava Wellness
𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫 𒇫
The Poetry of Spring - Inspiring ways to connect to the approaching Season
Spring is in the air. Its fresh and renewed energy is beginning to pop up through the ground…
it’s in the clouds, in the shifting colors, and in the very mood here on the east coast. We’ve had many a cold and rainy day followed by sunny t-shirt weather and it’s been such a treat.
The snowdrops are breaking through, the helleborus and crocuses are re-emerging, wild ground cover is beginning to line the roadsides and even the daffodils are opening their cheerful little petals. For so many people in colder climates, the arrival of Spring can feel frustratingly slow, but when we slow down enough to take it in and appreciate these subtle changes, feelings of hope and new growth cycles begin to stir. We are at the brink of so much seasonal sweetness in the short weeks to come.
Spring is in the Air.
We recently made a huge move across the country and I’m excited to be back on the East Coast and deep in the Seasonal shifts and I wanted to start sharing more, more of my personal journey and how I like to celebrate the onset of this beautiful time of year. I find myself meditating these days on the many rituals of Spring cleaning and energy clearing that I love to do on the home front as well as the many places my mind loves to go ***as I feel it deep within my bones*** that the time is here to begin playing outside once again.
Decorating for Spring.
I can feel my excitement turn to Spring decor. A favorite ritual of mine once the Season begins to shift, is to change out some of the darker tones and textures in our home for ones that feel a little lighter….a little brighter. Heavier blankets, rugs, and textiles are replaced by airier alternatives and as many of you know already know, I LOVE bringing the outside in. Some of my Winter collections of bare branches with berries and wild twigs are prayerfully being swapped out with fresh Cherry blossoms, tulips, and darling daffodils.
Our kitchen is blanketed in plants year round (and as you can see many of our desert babies made it safely and are thriving) but the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring calls for change and is typically the time when I desire to bring in more fresh flowers.
The wilder the better!
Opting Outside.
The grey days used to get under my skin in previous years (when we lived here before) but something about spending the past 5 years under the relentless sun of the wild Arizona desert has me really appreciating the way that these slower, moodier days open up the echo chambers of my heart and the deeper nooks and crannies of my creativity. This little corner of life seems to have a microclimate all of its own, one that makes it feel extra magical, even within the wind and the wet of these final days of Winter.
Catching some sun rays in the middle of the afternoon **especially during these days where the precious light shifts from dark and shadowy to light and bright in the blink of an eye…or sometimes it’s sitting outside enjoying some warm tea on a cool day…I absolutely love scheduling in a long leisurely walk in nature…and reading my current book in my window nook on days that are still too chilly to venture out…
these are all wonderful ways I enjoy connecting to the approaching Season.
Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia in the final days of Winter
Lately I’ve been enjoying walks around Bartram’s Garden as the ground reawakens…with a thermos full of warm herbal tea of course. Is it just me, or does a cup of herbal tea just taste better outside?! Rows of some of my favorite medicinals flank the water banks and a soundtrack of birdsong accompanies me as I wander. The Winter sunlight filters so beautifully through the barren trees in this special place. Even on what would seem like a dreary and grey day, the view is majestic, with the sights of Spring coming up through the brown undergrowth.
It’s just lovely how much the pared back palette allows you notice so much more without all the colors of the other Seasons competing for your attention.
Is there anything more pleasing to the eye & warming to the heart than brand new green taking its first breath?
This has always been a place that I would visit when I was going through big changes. It holds the power of being that safe container for my inner most thoughts and feelings and I just appreciate it so much for always holding that healing space for me.
Spring herbal tea recipe.
Holy Basil
Nettle
Lemon Balm
Calendula
Red Clover
Hibiscus
Rose.
Add a dropper full of our Adaptogen Magic herbal tincture and you have the sweet + satisfying taste of Spring.
I hope you are enjoying these final days of Winter and are filling these hours of light with things that bring you joy. Happy March friends…thank you so very much for being here.
Below is a special discount code
for subscribers only
so that you can prepare your pantry for for the upcoming Season with any of your favorite bhava goodies - you know…those ones that you might have stashed in your online cart!
Use code POETRYOFSPRING (all caps) at checkout and receive 15% OFF
much love this March,
Rachel Cordua
Do our sensory material choices have an effect on our overall happiness?
I’ve been thinking on how creating and then landing in a space or place can feel either restrictive or expansive depending on the energy in what we choose to be surrounded by…and specifically how our homes hold the capacity to be our medicine.
So with this in mind…the spirit, power and potency in which its 🪹 nest like effect has on us should be taken into deep consideration when choosing its layers and sensory experience. 🤎
NESTING
Creating softness when we can.
Embellishing with objects and material choices that create comfort and softness all while keeping other areas open and spacious are wonderful ideas to keep in mind when adding in or eliminating decor choices.
Scent and Lighting
Think about how scent can so easily transport us to a specific time and place just as light can have an immediate effect on our overall mood.
We often recognize quality and craftsmanship without really even needing to tell ourselves to, therefore materials that come from nature “naturally” make us feel extra comfy and at ease all while providing security, protection, warmth and pleasure. How sweet it is.
Layers
Think of the relationship between the objects in this photos. The wood floors and the hand carved wood chair. The soft blanket thrown over the back of the chair made from raw materials. A little pillow made from an old vintage pile rug.
I like to think that the materials we choose are like little tuning forks for our bodies and minds and because we are all instruments of deep feeling, how we live gives us the ability to grow, refine and elevate how we show up to it all.
We are all instruments of deep feeling
Inspiring image by artist Jeanne Simmons.
The beauty we create for ourselves reminds us of our unique story and can tell it to all who visit.
What are some of your favorite ways to embellish your home sanctuary? Please share in the comments below.
DIY Herbal Spiced Oat Milk recipe
Why do we like making our own herbal spiced oat milk?
Well, here’s the thing: it’s way cheaper, SUPER easy to make, has zero preservatives, is a sustainable practice with zero packaging, and is packed full of Seasonal herbs, vitamins and nutrients!
All you need is a few minutes of your time.
Because it’s Winter, I’ve been adding warming & pungent herbs like Ginger, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Ashwagandha, Clove, Cardamom and Licorice Root to increase circulation, reduce inflammation, steady the mind, and help us stay warm.
In today’s recipe, I’ll show you how to make an infused warming oat milk.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝…
• 1 cup organic rolled oats
• 3.5 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger or dried ginger root
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of sea salt (optional)
• A tbsp maple syrup, honey or 1 date (optional)
𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬…
𝟷. 𝙰𝚍𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚐𝚎 𝚓𝚊𝚛. 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚒𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚓𝚊𝚛. 𝙲𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚊𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝟺𝟻 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚜.
𝟸. 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚕 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙾𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚊 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕. 𝙾𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙.
𝟹. 𝙰𝚍𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚊 🫖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚊𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 (𝙾𝙽𝙻𝚈 𝟹𝟶 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚜) 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚎𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚔!
𝟺. 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚒𝚡𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚑 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚛 (𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝟷𝟸𝟻 𝙼𝚒𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚊𝚐𝚜)
𝟻. 𝙰𝚍𝚍 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚑 𝚘𝚏🧂𝚜𝚎𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚕𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚔 + 𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎.
𝟼. 𝚁𝚎𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚔. 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝟹 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜.
I’d love to hear from you
Please share in the comments below…