WTH - Ways to Keep Your Head
Yes! I want information in my inbox about better self care.
Last night I collaborated with Steff Linden of Infinite Rainbows Children’s Mindfulness Programs. We had an enthusiastic and weary group of parents who came together to be seen and heard as we talked about the challenges of keeping everyone safe at home. Neither Steff nor I have all the answers. We do have decades of classroom experience. We each have many years of work with parents and adults goal setting, understanding child development, and helping clients maintain some semblance of balance and sanity.
We’re all feeling overwhelmed and busy. Stress and anxiety are completely normal, even if they do bring up all the uncomfortable feelings. Stress and anxiety are important messengers that keep us safe and tell us our brain is working the way it is designed to work. But still. None of us like the chronic feeling of stress.
I’d like to offer just a few bits of advice that in all likelihood, you've heard. My hope is that you’ll hear it again and find some of it actionable. Our brains are also designed to take in small chunks of information, so repetition helps us make sense and apply this information. It’s my hope that some of this will help you keep your head as we continue to hunker down.
Here are a few highlights from our call last night.
Shower and keep a routine. It signals the brain that it’s time to tackle the daily routine, even if that’s a fluid routine. Eat the best foods you and those that you enjoy. Drink LOTS of water and get as much rest as you can.
Work out daily. It’s so important to move each day AND to get outside. Go for a walk or bike ride when you can. Drink your coffee or wine outside and breathe some fresh air. Online workouts and dance parties are plentiful online or on your own!
Curate your self-care toolbox. Self-care is simply something you do intentionally for yourself. Let go of what it used to look like and reframe it for now. That might be a long walk by yourself or a long shower. It might be making your favorite snack and enjoying it rather than worrying about your macros or calories.
Limit your intake of all the crap. By crap, that means the news and politics. Just like setting boundaries with humans, it’s essential to set boundaries with the endless stream of news. Stick to a few check-ins daily and from trusted sources, not social media. Apple’s COVID -19 Screening Tool or the CDC or your state alerts can provide the necessary information you need to stay safe.
And while we’re all spending so much time online here are three things that really grabbed my attention this week and provided a welcome relief from the crap (see #4 above). They’re worth a peek if you need a giggle, some inspiration or a burst of mojo.
Laughter is great medicine with Julie Blamphin on Facebook or with Jimmy Fallon (okay, his girls steal the show). Both will have you giggling.
Thoughtful conversations with writer Julie Lythcott Haims and Debbie Reber shared on Julie’s site. If you’re a parent and you don’t follow these writers, get them on your radar.
It doesn’t get any more real and vulnerable than this blog post with Brene Brown Be sure to check out her new podcast, too. FFTs are my new BFF!
I’m hunkered down at home with my husband and adult daughter, with daily check-ins with our son who is sticking out in Brooklyn finishing his last semester of school. We’re all healthy and well as another week comes to a close. Besides cabin fever and chapped hands, I’m grateful and cannot complain. I’m working on re-formatting some of my offerings. If you’re game for a webinar (stress management, mindfulness, goal setting) on 4-week small group coaching, drop me a note here. We’ll make it through this Sisyphean and come out having learned so much about ourselves and humanity.
Stay home.
Stay healthy.
Take care!
