With so much uncertainty in the past few weeks, anxiety and stress can easily creep in and begin to chip away at our desire to stay calm. Yet remaining calm is one of the most powerful medicines we can give to our stressed-out minds and bodies. Maintaining Calm During The Coronavirus Pandemic will take intentional awareness of our feelings and reactions. The practices below are a starting point for increasing mind-body connection and implementing self-care.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the simplest ways to calm our minds and our bodies in a short amount of time. If you are feeling anxious and lacking clarity, do a short meditation to help you recenter and focus on what matters most. Meditation is widely used to calm stress, boost health and wellness, increase mental stimulation, and improve sleep. If you are new to meditation, use our list of Easily Accessible Guided Meditations as a resource to get started.
Yoga
Yoga is a full-body exercise practice that connects the mind and body through breathwork and movement. Yoga practices come in all different lengths, levels, and formats to accommodate a wide range of people and preferences. If your body is feeling tired and fatigued from stress, setting aside as little as fifteen minutes to practice yoga will help increase your calm energy. Many easily accessible yoga practices are available through Youtube. They are free to use and offer quality yoga instruction in the comfort of your home. Yoga carries many other benefits besides maintaining strength and calm. Click here to learn more about Body Awareness Through The Art Of Yoga.
Eat Good Food
Eating good food that provides nourishment and energy is vital to maintaining calm in stressful situations. Eating good healthy foods gives our bodies the fuel it needs to function at its best which is key to reducing stress and anxiety. A simple way to get as much nourishing foods as possible, is to plan your meals ahead. Make a list of what meals you will eat for the next couple of days, shop only for the ingredients needed to make those meals, and stick to your plan. This reduces the temptation to choose a less nourishing option when it comes to meal time and takes the mental work out of deciding what you are going to eat. Remember, our bodies can only be as well as help them be.
Let Go of Control
Letting go of control is one of the most difficult intentions to practice, especially in stressful situations that carry a large amount of risk. When we are willing to look beyond our need for control, many times what we really find is fear. Fear of what may happen if we don’t have control, or fear of what could happen if someone else has more control than we do. Letting go of control is a practice in courage. It is learning to be at peace with the unknown and building the courage to live one moment at a time. When you are feeling fear and the need to control, be vulnerable. Let others in. Let yourself in. Communicate why you are afraid and allow connection to build your courage and calm.
Talk With Someone
Talking with someone we trust when anxiety or stress are present helps us get out of our own head and make our way back to calm. It is easy to get lost in the “what ifs” when we isolate ourselves. Our own perspective can become overwhelming when there is no one around to offer an alternative view. Make time to talk with someone you trust whether that be a friend, therapist, or family member, and remember that we do not have to walk this journey alone.
Practice Kindness
Practicing kindness toward yourself and others can help maintain a high level of calm and appreciation especially in high-stress situations. Practicing kindness can be as simple as sharing an encouraging word with your partner, thanking your body for sleeping well, or looking into your child’s eyes and letting them know how much you love them. Practicing kindness takes intentionality. It is the willingness to examine our motives before acting or reacting. It is the willingness to choose empathy. When we practice kindness we allow ourselves to find calm in the experience of giving our best, and seeing ourselves and others as worth this effort.
