I’ve been thinking about how I can support you and your loved ones during these difficult times. Truth is, none of us have all the answers as we’re facing this unprecedented global health crisis. But what I do have is an endless supply of love for you.
In times like these, we need each other, and it’s important to let loving kindness lead the way. 🌎
With so much going on in the world, it’s easy to lose yourself. Practice staying heart-centered and living through a lens of loving kindness feels better for everyone. This list is an invitation to take care of yourself during these strange times.
- Honor your innate desire to stay connected. 🙋♀️ 👋 Use FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, the phone or whatever. This morning I FaceTimed with my Grandson who squealed as he walked to the phone to see me. I love being a Grandma! He’s just learning to walk and we all got to smile. Seeing someone on video can support feeling even more connected.
- It helps to share your feelings with others. 🤪😩😅 As beings who crave connection, we feel uncomfortable not hugging, touching, or simply being with others, especially in times of stress. Even when you’re standing the recommended 6 feet away from someone, acknowledge any awkwardness you’re experiencing. Once you name the discomfort, it no longer owns you.
- Remember that your foundation is in this present moment of now. When you find yourself worrying about what might or might not happen in the future, say “STOP! CANCEL. CANCEL. CANCEL.” This pattern interrupt can bring you back to this moment of now where you can look around and know in this moment you are safe (no matter what’s happening around you). ✌️
- Give your mental health a boost through meditation. Tuning into fear and letting it consume you is detrimental to your health and well-being. Stay in balance by connecting with all the love that’s still present in your world. 🧘♀️ You deserve to be supported in every way. Here’s a link where you can download “Love of Self” guided meditation.
- Take care of your body. Stress can lower your threshold for pain or lessen your body’s ability to fight disease. So, in addition to following health experts’ advice about the coronavirus, here are some things to remember:
- Get plenty of rest as these deep cycles of rest are where your body heals and restores. According to Mayo Clinic, “During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines … Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you’re under stress … In addition, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced during periods when you don’t get enough sleep.” 🌙 💤
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. 🥛
- Eat healthy foods to support your immune system. 🍑 🥑
- Stay active. 💪 🏃♀️ Movement and exercise are important during this time of isolation, too. Motion is lotion and movement helps to keep your body and mind functioning properly.
Be mindful of over-consuming news or getting drawn into the panic. Change can be scary because — it’s change. But we can also see it from a different, personally empowering point of view.
When restrictions are placed on the freedoms you’re used to, stresses and primal fears can come up. Like so many, you may be feeling anger, fear, or even shock about the unforeseen circumstances or limits being placed on your life (even if they’re temporary).
Or, you can see this as a reason to be grateful for what you’ve had in the past and what you still have now. It may not seem easy, but gratitude helps you to face uncomfortable change. 🙏 ☺️
People have asked me how I see what is currently going on in our lives. Energetically, I see this as a time where practices that are not serving us are falling down and we’re being asked to reset and to open to a new way.
As you find yourself in these uncertain times, it helps to simply know that we’re all in this together – and to stay mindful of things we can do to cope. 🌎
When you’re faced with choices, ask if it helps you or if it just adds to the noise and fear in your life. That clarity will help you to feel better.