Stay healthy and sane
I'm thinking of you right now and hope that you're managing to stay healthy and sane. This virus has affected us all differently depending on the work we do and where we live, but there are basic steps we can all follow to help us establish some sort of equilibrium. That’s why this week, I decided to share suggestions that have been helping me. You may have already found ways to bring balance into your life and, if not, I hope you'll consider my suggestions.
First, taking good care of ourselves is indispensable right now. We need to stay as healthy as we can. Getting enough sleep and exercise, eating fresh foods - including fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water, and even herbal teas - all are essential to keeping our bodies functioning well. Fortunately, many of us have more time to cook now, and what better way to show love to ourselves and those we love! I hope that's the case for you. When our body is balanced and healthy, we're more likely to feel better...physically, mentally and emotionally. Let’s do what we can for ourselves and those around us right now.
Try journaling! I know that not all of us are comfortable putting words down on paper, but you can do whatever you want in your journal: write, draw, doodle, create collages, or some or all of the above. Journaling can help us manage the uncomfortable and complicated feelings confronting us now. a journal is the perfect place to express what's going on inside. It can be extremely liberating! We can say whatever we like without fear of criticism or judgement from others. Putting thoughts and emotions down on paper helps us to process feelings, and that can be an invaluable tool to discover solutions we might not see otherwise. And those journal pages are for our eyes only and can give us a sense of privacy, especially for those who are dealing with tight living quarters.
And then there’s gratitude… I’m sure you’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it again—gratitude is an attitude that can make your life better. And it’s true! Even when things are tough, we can find something to be grateful for. Before getting out of bed in the morning, take a moment to think of two or three things you feel grateful for. That little exercise helps you start your day on a positive note...and that’s a far better way to do it.
If we're able to take some time out now to reflect on this extraordinarily challenging period, we might be surprised. Yes, it's undoubtedly difficult and stressful, and we're all experiencing that differently. Some of us are dealing with a lot of trauma. However, by staying at home now, many of us have more quiet time as well. Those who can relish those quieter moments and/or the extra time with family and those we're close to are getting a gift. My hope is that we can all find some silver linings now. That's the real secret to happiness!