This crisis has caused us all to feel a level of distress, some more than others. Therefore, our bodies and minds are reacting. It makes sense and it’s rational, even though it can feel painful and disconcerting because there is tremendous suffering
The comments on some of my posts this week have shown that we all deal with crises differently and it’s important to acknowledge that what works for one does not work for another. Finding your own nourishing activities is most important during this time of self-isolation, as is finding your tribe.
For example, someone explained how they enjoy the idea of completing a puzzle to focus the mind. Someone else said that a puzzle was their worst nightmare and that they enjoy painting. I enjoy going for a walk along the canal (it is very quiet but I keep a 2 metre distance between myself and anyone else) and, I use mindfulness meditation throughout the day, both formally and informally to check-in with myself and to make decisions about how I should approach my day, tasks and activities. This makes us unique!
Emotions are Universal. We all have them; happiness, sadness, anger. What can be different, is the way we respond and react to them.
Mindfulness meditation can support us to self-regulate the body’s response (including the mind) to distress. Person-centred therapy can also be useful to process and overcome trauma.
