Unprecedented Times Continue.......
Joanna- Apr 16, 2020
- 3 min read
Hi,
How are you ? No really I mean how are YOU....... When was the last time you stopped and took a self check?
You see we may be in challenging times, we may be living very different lives at the moment but that does not mean we don't need to stop, pause and listen to our own heart beat - what is your body telling you at the moment?
So grab a cuppa, stop for a moment and join me......
On a scale 1-10, where 10 is your equivalent of utopia, how are you feeling? Physically how do you feel? Mentally how do you feel? This kind of check-in needs to be done on a regular basis.
We are going through this massive change curve so expect the scale to move, you then need to re-adjust your behaviour to keep yourself as topped up as you can be.
Remember the advice, 'if you are in an aircraft and the oxygen mask drops put yours on first in order for you to help your loved ones around you'. You have to be ok in order to help others. You know this, your intelligent, you get the principal, but in reality you probably keep going, you keep giving and you are probably guilty of not doing this.
Let's take a minute to think about the change curve we will all be experiencing......
Denial - it's not that bad, it won't impact us, this is happening to someone else, but suddenly you do know someone, it does impact you and yours.
Anger - why can't people stay in, follow the rules, why is it different for them not the rest of us, don't they understand they might be fine but their ignorance could take up a bed that could save a more serious case! Why have we not got a cure yet? What's the government doing about it?
Barter - As long as we get through this in one piece I don't care how long I have to stay in, if we are short on money that's fine as long as we have our health.......
Acceptance - It was bound to get this bad, we need to do what we need to do - follow the rules, we have to get through it to come out the other side.You can be bouncing back and forth literally throughout the day - there will be good moments and overwhelming moments of pain as you long to hold the hand of a loved one or hug that relative.
So this is where you need to have the mental gym ready .....
As a life coach I often work with clients on a self care box. Whether virtual or physical it's a place where you put your tools to help keep you strong and resilient. It's individual to you. There is no right or wrong thing to go in it and it's as big or small as you need. The main thing is when you open it you are not overwhelmed by choice and you know it works for you.
Some examples may be; Meditation sites (be specific and capture the exact one you need to listen to). Yoga - again which poses work best for you. Music - but name the songs and make the playlist. Craft - take up a particular activity, crochet a blanket, knit a scarf, painting by numbers, blank canvas etc). Tasks - clear out a drawer (which drawer and by when). Deep breathing pamper moment - what exactly, bath with which oils, paint nails, face mask, which one. Call a friend - who and why. Some people we connect with to make us laugh, others to tell us the truth, others because the are in the same situation. Then take a before and after picture or a before and after rating on the 1-10 scale and put that in your box so you have evidence to reflect back on to reassure yourself it works.
So to take some control this weekend make your own care box and encourage children, teenagers, other adults to do the same. Don't get overwhelmed by all the options out there, that in itself can cause anxiety. Only look if you need fresh ideas and only pick one or two new things at a time and don't worry if they don't work just move on to something else.
You may find reaching out to me as a life coach will give you that initial platform you need to structure your life at the moment and help you cope.
You may discover that the mental gym can offer you something you will continue to use as we come out of this - if you don't try you don't know and I am here to help.
Connect with me by email via my website www.journeylifecoaching.co.uk
Take care and be kind to yourself.
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