Whether your crisis is deeply personal or it is shared with every human being on the planet, its effects can work their way into your very core. The stress, sadness, and sense of loss can begin to touch you on a molecular level.
We all deal with times of crisis in our own way; however, we share our success with others so that we can carry on together. To that end, here are some ways that you can help yourself “remain calm and carry on,” as the saying goes, in the face of adversity.
Practice Mindfulness for Five Minutes a Day
One of the most common arguments against meditation is this: “I wouldn’t be able to clear my mind. I’m just one of those people who thinks too much.” It is a common argument because everyone feels this way. In other words, this complaint is the entire point of meditation. It exists to help you get from a place where your mind won’t ever shut up to a place where you can have some space between yourself and every little thought that pops into your head. It’s called a practice because you don’t sit down on your first day and empty your mind, just as you don’t walk into a gym and bench-press 400 pounds on your first day – you have to build the muscles over time.
The practice of meditation is immensely helpful for helping you cope during a crisis. Starting is easy to do. There are several mindfulness apps that you can download to your smartphone, and they sometimes even offer free trials. These apps include Calm, 10% Happier, and Headspace, among others. They’ll help you address subjects such as fear, anxiety, and stress, and they’ll help you strengthen your muscles of gratitude, lovingkindness, and compassion.
If you feel like you’re too busy, don’t worry. You can start by meditating for five or ten minutes a day. Trust in the collective experiences of thousands, if not millions, of people who practice mindfulness, and you’ll thank yourself later.
Get Outside and Exercise
Even if you’re practicing social distancing, you can go outside and exercise. This helps in a time of crisis in a multitude of ways. First, with moderate sun exposure your skin can absorb vitamin D, which is known to help combat depression in addition to contributing to your overall well being. Second, sometimes just getting out of your house provides you with a cleansing feeling. Third, exercise can help spark endorphin activity to help combat the feelings you’re experiencing. Finally, the feeling of having energy requires that you expend energy to get it – even if you don’t feel like it. So get outside and exercise!
Turn Off the News
It’s important to know what’s going on in the world right now, but at some point the endless cycle of what they play on the news is just going to get you down. Remember that the people who bring you the news are, at least on some level, trying to keep you from changing the channel, so they’re going to favor content that keeps you riveted. Turning off the news can help you better cope with a crisis, because you’re no longer inundating yourself with doubt and worry. Just get the facts and move on.
Other Wellness Tips
In addition to the above tips, one should not underestimate the wisdom of eating healthfully. Also, remember that alcohol is a depressant; try to find something more healthful to do instead of eating junk food and drinking alcohol. Some people may find a supplement like CBD hemp oil helpful for relaxing. Others may line up a Netflix stand-up comedy queue and laugh themselves into the couch cushions.
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