4.5.2020
Welcome to, what I like to call, the 'Long Temporary'. Those two words don't often go together, but they do now. We all know that this state of affairs is temporary. We will get through this, this is not forever. But, wow, we are stretching the definition of temporary!
Since we are not used to surviving in a chronic state of limbo, it is going to take our brains some time to figure our how to adapt. We have been in short term, crisis response thinking and now we are moving to more long term adaptive thinking. The changes are now coming in waves and we have to figure out how to ride the waves.
Body surfing is one of the ways to think about building these new brain skills. When you body surf, you wade through the shallow water until you get deeper and deeper, eventually you have to start swimming. Once you are past where the waves break, you float; looking at the waves coming in; figuring out if you want to take the wave in front of you, or dive underneath to wait for the next one. Eventually, you have commit to a wave. If you don't, you can't get back to the shore. You figure out the best angle to address the wave and then commit. Once you are on the wave, you have to relax and allow the wave to take you in.
Sometimes the ride is easy and sometimes it is more challenging. Then you get up and do it again.
As our country works to create solutions, we are riding all different types of waves. New information comes in and we have to gather our resources and skills to address the issues that directly impact our lives. Then we have to take a deep breath, let go and wait for the next wave.
This is not the way most of us live our lives, so it may take some time to develop new skills to help us ride these waves more easily.
Hope these resources help you let go and ride the waves.
Breathing and Relaxation: In times of stress, we often breath in ways that can lead to more tension. This video takes you through breathing and relaxation exercises that can help you let go. 15 Minute Deep Breathing Exercise | City of Hope
Meditations for Kids: Kids can learn to meditate as well as adults. This link gives you a variety of short meditations that introduce kids to mindfulness practices: https://www.doyogawithme.com/content/awareness-games-kids
Thinking beyond ourselves: The challenges of staying home can make us have a more constricted focus (who knew obtaining eggs and toilet paper would be an occasions for celebration). Charitable works can help provide some balance and uplift our mood. Participating in charitable works can be a challenge when we need to stay home and financial resources may be stretched. When trying to strike the right balance of taking care of yourself and helping others, remember it is the act of donating, not the amount, that provides the positive impact on our well being. Attached, is a list of organizations that are working to help people impacted by Covid-19.
Distraction: We need to find ways to let our brains rest and re-energize. What energizes us will be different for everyone You may want to find something to inspire you, scare you, make you cry or make your laugh. This link has a list of a variety of types of movies:
Movie too long? Here are some YouTube videos that can make you smile. https://youtu.be/wU4DgHHwVCc
For those of you who are wondering the Ukulele playing is slow going due to a hectic week, but I am determined.
Moving through this together. Stay well.