Depression, anxiety, and grief can be constant companions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, if you focus on and worry about events, decisions and circumstances that are completely out of your control.
You can’t control the economy, the weather, or the coronavirus. So accept them as they are, do your part to prepare for and manage them, then move onto activities and mindsets that are better for you. Focus your attention on things you are able to control. Take advantage of the time you have to do things that will improve your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and that will improve your situation today and into your future.
You may already have a routine to strengthen and nourish your physical body and well-being. Do you use similar routines, principles and practices to strengthen and nourish your mind, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being?
Physically we make ourselves healthier and stronger by:
- intaking (eating) healthy vitamin and mineral packed foods that nourish and fortify our bodies;
- exercising and stretching muscles that build strength, endurance and capacity;
- getting good sleep that reenergizes, heals and repairs the body cells, increases speed and reaction times;
- using good hygiene that prevents illness and infection caused by bacteria and viruses.
Emotionally we can do similar things to keep our mind healthy –
- intaking only healthy thoughts and information that nourishes and strengthens our minds;
- exercising and stretching our minds to build emotional strength, endurance, and capacity;
- getting good sleep that increases concentration, problem solving skills and memory performance;
- using good hygiene to prevent emotional and mental illnesses.
Spiritually we make ourselves healthier and stronger by:
- connecting to something greater than yourself;
- practicing mediation, gratitude, yoga and/or prayer;
- taking part in organized religion or spending time in nature;
- spending quiet time pondering the meaning or purpose your life;
- avoid comparing yourself and your life to others;
- building awareness through journaling;
- serving others in your community.
We have the ability to control our mental, emotional and spiritual health, just as we can our physical health. For most of us, it is a choice, a choice worth making and keeping.
History is made by relatively unexceptional people who make exceptional choices in extraordinary times. These are extraordinary times, you can make exceptional choices to become an exceptional person.
Take control of your life, develop your emotional and spiritual skills, focus your attention on becoming the ‘you’ you are capable of and are meant to be. It’s time for you to not only survive but flourish!
Click here to learn more about developing emotional intelligence and strength.