Calmly March On

I hear you. It’s been a very challenging time during this constant state of adjustment. It has not been easy for anyone. However, while you’re navigating the basics like home-schooling kids, grocery shopping safely and finding toilet paper, here are a few tips to help you through this transformational period.

1) Talk or write about it. This is the time to communicate with your friends to get all of the overwhelming thoughts out that are swimming around in your head, so that they don't control you. Plus, you can make better sense of what's on your mind, when you share it in your journal or with a trusted friend. When you share, you're not really asking someone to solve a problem, you're merely using them as a sounding board to release what's pent up inside of you. A good friend will understand this and in a sense, take your woes and throw them out for you. Dear friends are happy to act as sounding boards. And, as my mom says: "There's more room out than in." So get those intense thoughts out!

2) Healthy eating. I know your instincts might be to eat really decadent foods while you're at home during this time. Comfort foods can feed the feelings. I get it! However, the best thing to do during this time is to keep your immune system in great shape and eat healthily, especially since you're at home and not physically doing as much exercising, but when you do go out you're amongst people. So, let's take this time to fortify the body and soul with a delicious and nutritious meal. Make sure you get at least 2 servings of vegetables per day, healthy proteins, and go light on the sugar (it can take one on an emotional roller-coaster). Your immune system health has to with the gut. So this would be a great time to practice eating to support your gut health.

3) Relax for a good night's sleep. Good sleeping habits allow your body to recharge from the day and give you a better outlook in order to deal with life's challenges. For a good night's sleep, you should be relaxed before bedtime. Of course, for some, sleeping is easy. They could sleep standing up! But if you're not the 'I can sleep anywhere' type, unwinding before bed is necessary. Take a warm bath with a few drops of lavender oil before bed. Listen to soothing sounds or meditate. However, refrain from intense conversations or screen time right before bed. These things tend to wake the body up, rather than shutting it down in preparation for rest.

4) Utilize social media. FaceTime, Skype or Zoom your friends. Reach out, especially to the elderly, who must stay self-quarantined at this time. Plan a virtual happy hour visit with your companions. Take an exercise class online. Learn to cook a new dish online. You don't have to feel alone. We are all, literally, in this together.

5) Dance! I'm a huge fan of random dancing. However, the instinct right now is to stay attached to the news and worry. This will not help you with a thing! Yes, stay informed and be vigilant with your health. It is what it is, right now. However, worrying about it all day long will not improve the situation one iota. The aim of this whole experience is to remain well, so stress (which causes inflammation in the body) is not beneficial. Dancing, however, raises serotonin and dopamine - the happy hormones! So yes, you have permission to laugh and have moments of happiness during this time. And, dance, yes.

6) Share. Some have lost jobs and finances are low right now. Some are experiencing feelings of lack, isolation, hopelessness and fear. However, the goal of enlightenment is to look beyond the current circumstances to see more broadly and understand that what is happening now is temporary, just like everything else under the sun. This is the present moment only, not the forever moment. We will rise again. So for now, focus on what you do have, not what you're lacking. You have your talents, you may be able to get food for your elderly neighbor, you may have money or a skill to share. Share it. When you share what you have that is uniquely you, you share your best. And frankly, that is a beautiful and healing thing right now for all of us. That is of benefit. You may not have physical closeness currently, but sharing your talents brings an isolated society (which we have now) together. People are coming together to benefit one another with free online classes (I'll be offering those with other experts), talents of singing, dancing, art, yoga classes, etc. So give lovingly of yourself, it's the best gift you can give right now and we welcome it.

PS - A practical final tip... if you're running low on hand sanitizer make your own. Plus, it's more economical. Here's the recipe I use from this lovely entrepreneur: https://www.littlehouseliving.com/homemade-hand-sanitizer-spray.html
Stay healthy!