Now more than ever, we need to prioritize our health and wellbeing. It is essential to ourselves and for those we love. This not only means diligently following the orders of our state and counties, but doing what we CAN do to stay as healthy and vital as possible so that resources remain available for those really in need.
Whenever you feel like you wish there was more that you could do, remember this is absolutely one of the most important things you can do, so do it!
One of the most important things to focus on is stress support. The endless news coverage and media alone will spike your cortisol and stress response, not to mention the major disruption to daily routines, social isolation, and work issues that come from this pandemic.
Let me tell you from personal experience, I am right there with you all! This isn't easy!
So what CAN you do to support yourself, to lessen your stress response, and to promote more relaxation and recovery in these crazy times?
Focus on the VITAL4™ Life Model. When in doubt, come back to this model and dive in.
Nutrition: Eat real, whole foods. Organic when possible. Hydrate yourself, focus on drinking half your bodyweight in ounces. Lessen your toxic burden by shopping local and organic. Good, nutritious food will give you the necessary nutrients to support your cell health and will also stabilize your moods and clarity of mind.
Movement: Moving your body is one of the best ways to combat stress. When you combine this with fun and creative forms of movement, it will also boost your endorphins (your happy hormones), and we can all use more of those! Try dance videos, workout rotations, and utilize your immediate neighborhood to get outside in the fresh air. Nature is a powerful healer!
Sleep: Since you are home more, it is a great time to establish a nourishing sleep routine. Settle in earlier, choose a routine that promotes relaxation, like reading something inspiring and positive, take a bath, listen to light music or watch a good comedy. These are just a few ways to help you drift off to sleepyland with more ease. Sleep is your greatest time for recovery and your body is most likely in desperate need of more right now.
Last but certainly not least, Stress Support: The beauty about the VITAL4 is that they are all interconnected. It is amazing what happens when you find 1-2 small things you can do in each area. Naturally, your stress support and recovery will increase. My favorite go to for stress support is breathing! Simple breathing exercises are not to be undervalued. The famous 4-4 breath is a remarkable way to break your stress response and you can do this as often as you need or want. It is the one that the Navy Seals use and can have an impact in less than 2 minutes. Simply breathe in for 4 seconds through your nose and out for 4 seconds.
Hopefully these tips are helpful and remind you that there is a lot that you CAN do in these crazy times to nourish yourself. Prioritizing your own health and wellbeing is one of the greatest ways that you can make an impact right now, so let the excuses fall away and just do it! :)
