How to Pause, Connect & Thrive During COVID
What an urgent and critical introduction to 2020! From the devastation of the Australian bushfires to the ongoing catastrophe of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is like Mother Nature has forced us to stop and have a deep think about how we’ve been behaving. How do you make sense of what is happening on a global scale? As a counsellor and a yoga teacher I have observed a myriad of responses to the global Covid-19 situation ranging from experiencing more time on your hands, a sense of isolation and loneliness, anxiety and irritability, or even a new found freedom and liberation.
We have been living in a fast-paced, demanding and expectant world, and slowing down can be a rare experience. Some of you may be embracing the opportunity to learn to make do with less, or cherishing your re/connections with loved ones, or perhaps getting your hands dirty and connecting with your gardens and favourite recipes. However, there are some of you who may be feeling quite vulnerable during this time of change and uncertainty in the world, and who may have never experienced a sense of loneliness, separation nor isolation before. This may feel really uncomfortable and perhaps scary for some.
CREATING A SAFE & NOURISHING HOME
In these times it is important for you to create a safe and nourishing space where you feel supported and grounded – this may look like:
Making yourself a nourishing meal
Having your morning coffee or tea under a tree in your yard
Finally cosying up on the couch and reading that book you have always wanted, re-connecting with your meditation/yoga practice
Taking a luxurious scented bath
Setting boundaries around when you engage in listening to the global news
Having your favourite essential oil burning whilst you work
Lighting a candle for the world
YOUR HOME IS YOUR HAVEN – LET’S NOT BLUR THE LINES
Some people feel that their boundaries have been violated by bringing their work into their haven. It’s important that you dedicate only part of your home to work - this could be a spare bedroom, the corner of your living room or your balcony. This separation of workspace and private environment will support your work-life balance and your sense of wellbeing by ensuring that these lines are not blurred.
ROUTINE
Setting yourself a daily routine may be helpful in these unpredictable times – carving out time for work, moving your body, connecting with nature, mapping out pleasure time and connecting with your favourite humans. This may be an opportunity where you may use your imagination, resourcefulness and creativity to meet your needs and perhaps start something new.
PAUSE AND CONNECT
I invite you to pause and connect with yourself and your body throughout your day – perhaps when you wake, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and bedtime – and notice what is happening in your internal landscape, noticing any tension in your body, temperature, any physical sensations and perhaps observing the flow of your breath; then take 5 deep, slow, revitalising breaths and notice your state of being. Giving time to connect with yourself and noticing your physical sensations can be helpful in soothing your nervous system by reducing anxiety and increasing your ability to regulate your emotions.
We are in living history where there is incredible potential to change how we live as a community, how we treat our earth, and how we love ourselves and others.
Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And go do that. Because the world needs people who’ve come alive - Howard Thurman
What an urgent and critical introduction to 2020! From the devastation of the Australian bushfires to the ongoing catastrophe of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is like Mother Nature has forced us to stop and have a deep think about how we’ve been behaving. Living in these unprecedented times as well as our current competitive and fast-paced world can be really intense, demanding and nerve-racking!
Stress is a normal part of life, and not always a bad thing! It can be debilitating or exhilarating! Some people thrive on stress to get things done however, when it starts to overwhelm and distress you it can have a negative effect on your health, wellbeing, relationships, work and general quality of life. Stress is a natural human response to a situation which you think you cannot manage. Basically, it's when we experience an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources to cope with those demands. Our attitude, personality and approach to life will surely influence how we respond to stress. The old adage 'prevention is better than a cure' is certainly true for managing your stress. Here are 10 top tips to self-soothe and help you navigate your way to a more calm and relaxed space:
Regular exercise - bring life & awareness into your body!
Socialise & connect with others – catch up with a friend or even wander down to the park and watch the local footy team play – you don’t have to talk to feel engaged and part of a community!
Make healthy food choices - lots of fruit & vege & try to avoid fatty, sugary foods
Take time out - RELAX! Have your morning cuppa under the tree in your backyard, get your hands dirty in your garden, or read that book ‘you’ve never had time for’!
Avoid drinking, smoking or other drugs to relax
Sleep - yoga, meditate, listen to music or read before going to bed
Enjoy cultural, spiritual & social activities - embrace DIFFERENCE! Be open to new perspectives!
Look for humour! A good belly laugh is medicinal!
Know your limits - set REALISTIC & ACHIEVABLE expectations for yourself
Balance your personal and professional roles - set some boundaries around your work practices so that you can sit at the family table for dinner at least twice per week
Make a commitment to yourself! Name at least 2 things that you can start doing straight away to support your wellbeing!