Area Newsletter September Edition

With school starting and covid-19 pandemic going on 6+ months now, I am hearing and seeing exhaustion at a whole new level. When going through a crisis, usually our bodies are made with enough cortisol and adrenaline to get us through. However, this pandemic has gone on for way too long and we are worn out. I am hearing from a variety of people, myself included, that the motivation levels are down more than before and energy is lower while some unhealthy habits and choices are increasing.  So let’s take a look at what is going on and come up with ways to counteract it.

 

 

 

We are not used to a world-wide pandemic and furthermore, not having control nor knowing what the future may bring. Not that we ever truly did before, but this pandemic has kicked it up a few intense and very obvious notches. So, this is different. Therefore, we find ourselves saying things like: “Can I make it through this?”, “Will my business or family survive another shut down”,  “I can’t do this”, “I don’t know what  to believe anymore”.  Hence the upswing of ...Confusion. Misunderstanding. Anxiety. Anger. Sadness. Emotions running rampant. We are Tired.

 

 

 

 

 

So what can we do?

 

1.Notice your thoughts. What you think is truly important.  Take some time to quiet your mind. Quiet your soul. Take a breath. Notice what thoughts and feelings and body sensations you are experiencing right now. Look at the thoughts. Are they 100% true? If there is even a little bit not true, it can’t be truth.Take your thoughts back under your control.

 

2. Focus on your choices. Implement your power of choice on what you can actually control. Not hyper focusing on what you cannot. Focus on being resilient.or kindness. Find opportunities to notice and practice these choices.  

 

3.Give yourself some compassion - we are still in an unknown future… that causes a lot of anxiety for people. If you need help with this, talk to a trusted friend about self-compassion and run your “story”in your head by them. 

 

4.Find a mindfulness app and use it regularly as it will help with your thoughts and feelings.Here are a few I recommend: Calm, Head Space, Insight Timer or for those of you with a spiritual desire: Soulspace.

 

Finally, We all have different ways of dealing with our ‘overwhelming’ emotions. Taking the BIG step by acknowledging we are actually having these kinds of emotions is important . If we avoid them, they will persist – but only in ways we don’t want them too;  then the avoidance tends to lead to bigger emotions that show up usually in a physical or behavioral way. So instead of getting caught up in a vicious cycle, slow down and notice your thoughts, what is in your control, and make choices that align with what you value.