Like many I am feeling unsettled at the moment. Safe, informed but seriously unsettled. The news makes me anxious, social media fuels this state.
I am so glad I listened to my friend Siobhan who has been talking about the virus, the potential impacts and how we must be prepared.
I am grateful that my parents, both aged 82 listened to, and gave into my well intended bullying and have decided to self isolate – for as long as it takes.
I dropped off some groceries at their doorstep today – it felt weird seeing her collect them, blow me kisses as I walked back to the car – but I know I’ll be grateful for being cautious with their health.
In the meantime what can I do?
Well I can get prepared, plan for the long haul, mitigate the potential risks to my business, mind my mind and look after myself and my family.
What can I do to change how I feel right now?
Well I can mind my mind, work on my gratitude – get back into my daily habit of completing my Gratitude List every damn day. List 3 things every day that I am grateful for and why!
I have recently been limiting my access to social media for lots of different reasons.
This has really been working for me as all the constant speculation is really impacting how I am reacting to the current situation. I am choosing to stick to one news outlet and not fuel my fear.
Nourish myself and my family and meal plan and really give some thought to the nutritional content of the food we are eating.
Food – what am I putting in my body? Plan meals better, no more last minute crisp frenzied munching. Instead considering does it lift my mood or am I eating for comfort, or just for the sake of it. It’s so easy to graze all day when you work from home! I read some great tips from nutritionist Anna Mapson today – you can check out her tips on her Facebook page GoodnessMe Nutrition.
Breathing – it’s always something we take for granted but taking a few minutes to pause and focus on regulating your breathing helps. Check out this great chiropractic clinic – Living Strong Chiropractic who recently recorded a series of breathing videos.
Sleep – having come through the menopause when my sleeping was horrendous I have worked out what works for me. So what works for you? Adjust your routine to optimise your sleep. What works for me is a freezing cold bedroom, all the windows wide open. All the usual standard advice like no devices for an hour before bed – plus for me: no coffee after lpm, eating at least 3 hours before I want to go to bed, gratitude journaling before I close my eyes. (I did warn you I got good and practiced at this!!).
Focus – do a brain dump of everything in your head. Getting it all out on paper really helps, as it clears the overwhelm – it sounds too simple but it really really works!
I often write about going old school – on paper. Write your to do list on paper and take great delight on crossing them off with the biggest blackest thickest marker you have
Plan – get a clear plan for your week of tasks that you need to get done. If your plans are changing because of the present situation think of alternatives. THAT puts you in control.
Exercise – I plan as part of my day to move every 90 minutes when I work at home and go for a brisk walk in the morning and the afternoon.
Supplements – I see a chiropractor and he recommends that I take high quantities of a quality Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Magnesium, a great multi vit. I take the lot and feel great.
Finally Positive Influences – who are you hanging out with? What are you reading, and watching? I find watching the doom and gloom of the news at 10pm doesn’t work for me. So instead I listen to the lunchtime news on the radio and watch the 6pm news if I can. My friends are positive people. I listen to uplifting music – usually disco (don’t judge me).
I also watch a lot of TV police drama – don’t know why, usually because there is a good news element and I feel grateful for what I have after watching them. But then you can never beat a great chick flick with a happy ending….
So do what makes you happy, we don’t know how long this crisis will go on for, so we need to be prepared and build our resilience.
Hugs
LDC x