When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge the way you respond to what’s happening.  That’s where the power is.  

AHicks

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, worried and feel like you’re losing control of what’s going on around you at the moment?

Have you thought how you could change these thoughts and feelings to slightly more positive ones………what would that be and feel like?

Over the past few weeks people have shared with me how they are helping themselves and others to keep more in control of themselves.

They have said:

Limiting time spent on social media

Talking to people that are more positive

Getting enough sleep

Eating healthily, drinking lots of fluids

Getting outdoors

Washing hands regularly

Practicing more mindfulness/meditation

Exercising/yoga

Any other tips/advice would be great!

Remember it’s okay not to be okay sometimes, keep putting things into perspective, look at all the people recovering, we need to be vigilant, not living in fear.

Take care

Kim x

#wereinthistogether 

If you’re now working from home, and lucky enough to have a secure income or sufficient savings, consider donating your usual commuter fare to a different charity each day

How can you stay healthy and calm as you adjust 

to life under lockdown?

Meditation/Mindfulness

Either guided meditations (there are lots on UTube, Vishen Lakhiani’s 6 Phase Meditation is one of my favourites) or focus on your breathing spending five to ten minutes each day focusing on your breath or visualising, for example your wellness, being healthy, fit and strong.

Say to yourself positive words and affirmations, for example “my body has an amazing immune system, I am feeling well and stronger each day.”  Visualise and feel what that’s like for you.

Your thoughts control your feelings, your feelings control your actions, and your actions control your behaviour, it is important to talk to yourself in a positive way. Your mind and body are connected so if you start thinking you are going to get ill; your mind starts to believe that it has already happened.  You get to choose your thoughts and how you feel, choose wisely! Remember a belief is only a thought you keep thinking. 

Sleep

As tempting as it may be to stay up playing games, watching tv till late, try to keep to your usual routine of waking and sleeping, this will help to keep your mind and body more balanced. 

Limit mobile phones, laptops etc at least one hour before going to bed, practice a bedtime yoga (Tim Senesi 12mins is very relaxing), meditate or practice mindfulness, drink a soothing herbal tea.  Take time for you. 

Exercise – Be in nature if possible

Staying active and being outdoors if possible as it’s is so important for both your mind and body.  Start an exercise routine if you can, find a time that works best for you. It doesn’t have to be intense, ten or twenty minutes at a time, keeping you active and supporting your immune system will benefit you immensely. 

Eat a balanced diet

It’s important to eat healthily, nourishing foods, vegetables and fruit, remember to keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water. When we are stressed, bored or seeking comfort, many of us reach for snacks, these if unhealthy food choices will lead us to feel sluggish, unmotivated, and less able to deal with what is going on around us.  Keeping a healthy balanced diet will keep your immune system high and create more vitality and wellbeing.

Declutter mind and surroundings

Plan the next day the evening before to give you more incentive and purpose. You run the day, or the day will run you!  

As we are at home more than usual at the moment take a little time each day making sure your home is a place that you enjoy spending time in.  Do the jobs you’ve wanted to do for a while and feel how good it feels and looks. When your surroundings are tidy chances are your mind will be, giving you more quality time and space to do the things you love and enjoy.

You are not alone. We are all going through this together. 

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy,

not on fighting the old, but on building the new

Socrates

Take care, Kim x


How can I promote my wellbeing during this time?

As we are unsure how long social distancing will be a part of our lives, this has left many of us feeling out of control about almost everything, how can we change these thoughts and feelings? 

What is the only thing you can control?  You can control how you feel about what is going on around you. 

Below are some simple steps that clients have shared with me, which would work for you? Which do you already do?

Talking – being open with people you trust about how you are feeling.

Exercising – looking after your body, walking, running, eating healthy.

Being Calm – try meditation, mindfulness apps, good sleep habits, reduce mobile use before bedtime.

Learning – a new skill, a great way for you to gain confidence. 

Relating – spending time with the people you care about, via social media.

Contributing – helping others or contributing to causes you support or believe in.

Creating – expressing yourself creatively e.g. through music, art, drama, writing.

Congratulating – being kind to yourself, value yourself.

Remember it’s okay not to be okay at times and that you are not alone

Be great to share how you all do the above and any other tips!

Kim x