Messages from Lynn – 3 Ways to Feel Better!
Whoo!! Are we over the stay-at-home thing yet? My journal shows day 47 of being AT HOME. What a crazy time and despite the conflicting information –should we re-open or not, are we wearing face masks or not? (my mask protects you and vice versa). Then there’s the drama/trauma oriented news cycle that I now watch in limited doses & encourage you to do same. Despite all that, most of us are weathering this time fairly well. But…
If you’re feeling extra anxious or stressed, or lonely, or restless these days, there are good reasons and you are not alone with those feelings.
Though it’s not easy, I encourage you to pay attention to your feelings and how your body is doing. Our body and our feelings are our emotional GPS system. Our jaw tightens, our stomach feels queasy or tight, there’s a clamp on our shoulders getting tighter and tighter.
As anxiety escalates, we might go into a state of fight or flight. To interrupt the fight or flight – BREATHE…Meditate, pray, walk, or talk to friends. And, know that waves of anxiety don’t last forever.
BREATHE – really – take 6-10 deep belly breaths right now. Breathe in through your nose – into your abdomen – hold for a moment – EXHALE through your mouth or nose. AH… Repeat.
Maybe we’re not anxious, instead we tend to shut down. We feel depressed, lethargic, sad, unmotivated to do anything… The best way to deal with low-moderate depression is ACTION – Get out and walk, talk to a friend and share how you are REALLY doing – Watch a funny, uplifting movie and then clean the house, or clean the shop or mop a floor. Doing something productive whether self-care or home-care adds to positive feelings. This activity helps you feel more in charge.
Pay attention to the quality of your thoughts. Negative thoughts will take you down. Fight against them by challenging them – “Is this really true? How do I know this is really what’s going on?” And, what’s a better feeling thought? What’s the opposite thought of the negative one?
If you’re struggling with thoughts of self-harm call local 211 or for National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.
IMAGINE & Pretend –
Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Imagine along with me, and perhaps one of your own spiritual/religious guidance masters:
A beautiful, colorful, soothing, comforting blanket of love, peace, happiness, safety, security, trust, faith & HOPE spreading over our planet.
This blanket penetrates the hearts and minds of every living being …BREATHE…relaxing tensions, …worries, … stresses and strains – bringing renewed energy.. Go ahead – Take another breathe –
BREATHE in the comfort of this soothing blanket of love that embraces and holds you and helps you know that “you’re always ok, no matter what’s happening.” Repeat 3 X or more.
Prayer & meditation take us out of our heads (where the anxious thoughts hang out) and into our heart and our higher self. Practicing daily begins to build a reservoir of comfort within. Over time, our mind and body get cued into this place within and that comfy place buffers and strengthens us against the stresses of the world.
Blessings,
Lynn