Strategies for COVID-19

So much has changed in the last month. We are in an unusual time, for all of us, for the whole world. The crisis of the global spread of coronavirus is touching all of us and changing our lives.

Why we need some strategies.

We might be depressed as we grieve the life as we knew it is now gone. Many of us are feeling grief as we have lost our “normal” activities and routines, our loss of personal connection, our loss of safety.

Then there is the anticipatory grief, uncertainty about the economic situation, and the fear that we have for loved ones and their safety.

Basically, we are going through the phases of grief. Shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and then acceptance.

First there was the shock and then denial and many of us were in denial for a while around this pandemic. Then we experienced anger along with bargaining where we bargained about what we were going to give up. Then the next phase where it really hit us, and we experienced sadness, depression and even loneliness.

This phase is where we can’t process it all and we go into fight or flight. Then we moved into acceptance where we started to accept this new reality and taking back control of what we can do.

Now we can’t control what is happening outside, but we can control what is happening inside. We can control our thinking and how we respond to things. This is really important as we cannot have a healthy body if we don’t have a healthy mind. If your mind is sick, it will make your body sick.

The bombardment of news, social media and virus updates are only going to make you more susceptible to what is going around. Cortisol attacks the immune system.

So, you need to protect your mind and then feed your mind. Your mind is where the battleground is taking place and that is the gate to your body, so it is important that the positive win over the negative. Keep the negative news at bay because without even knowing it, your body could be in a constant fight-or-flight mode which can deplete nutrients.

Focus on programs, seminars and activities that are going to feed you positivity.

Here are some strategies:

1. Believe that your future is greater than your past

2. Move away from stressful situations, guard your mind from negativity

3. Be kind to others and know when you even observe kindness it increases your serotonin by 70% and your immune system goes up

4. See presence not the human personality when looking at others

5. Movement – walking, stay active, exercise

6. Good organic nutrition, fresh water, eat more vegetables and fruit, take supplements

7. Spend time in nature

8. Take 15-20 minutes for yourself, meditate

9. Sleep more, practice self care

10. Take a few minutes to reflect and be grateful, keep a gratitude journal

11. Talk with people, stay connected with friends via phone or internet with Zoom or Skype

12. Do something you love

Accept what is and let go of anything you can’t control. Practice the Four Agreements

• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don’t take anything personally.
• Don’t make assumptions.
• Always do your best.

To your success and be well,

Charlene