We all have a throat chakra and it’s in one of four possible states at all times: Balanced, overactive, under-active, or blocked.

Having a balanced throat chakra is ideal since it means it’s easier for you to communicate in healthy ways with others.

Someone with a balanced throat chakra is receptive to criticism. They’re comfortable speaking up for their needs and they tend to be good listeners.

Here’s what you should know about the throat chakra on Transformation Tuesday.

A basic understanding of the throat chakra

The throat chakra is located in your throat, it’s represented by the color blue, and the energy attached to it is creativity, expression, and being in alignment with your truth.

When it’s imbalanced, it can lead to anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, self-loathing, the fear of outside judgement, and decision-making paralysis.

When it comes to your physical body, it can lead to bleeding gums when you floss, a tense jaw, a congested nasal area, tense shoulders + neck + back, and thyroid issues.

Someone with an overactive throat chakra deals with these issues: Talking over others, constantly interrupting in conversations, thoughts moving faster than you can express them or write them down, bossy tendencies, critical thoughts of others, stuttering, etc

Someone with an under-active throat chakra deals with these issues: Holding back from speaking based on the fear of how others might react, saying things based on people-pleasing others, feeling misunderstood, having a sarcastic sense of humor, and being passive-aggressive.

Here’s how you can balance your throat chakra

One of the simplest ways to start balancing your throat chakra is by wearing and eating the color associated with this particular chakra – Blue.

Wear blue clothing, sleep on a blue-colored pillow, use a blue-colored steering wheel cover in your car, etc. Wear blue and add blue to things you’re always physically touching.

The blue foods you can consume include blueberries, concord grapes, blue potatoes, blue corn tortillas, and blue Spirulina (which often goes in smoothies and acai bowls.) There are other blue foods you can taste and try as well.

Repeat these affirmations: I am comfortable expressing myself. It is safe for me to speak my mind. My voice deserves to be heard.

Get into journaling if you’re not already doing that. Write your thoughts down, daily. Write your dreams down when you first wake up. Jot down a gratitude list in the afternoon. Write your manifestations in the present tense in the evenings. Just write!

Practice active listening. At the beginning of each new conversation, set the intention that you won’t speak over the other person. Choose to be an inquisitive and curious listener. Pause before responding. Apologize if you do mess up and return to listening.