Self-care in a time of rapid change
01 April 2020 •
By: Wendy Moulang Wellness
Self-care in a time of rapid and radical change is often the first thing that goes out the window! We scramble to make sense of what's going on around us and sometimes get caught up in panic and fear. We don't like change and our world is certainly changing right now!
One of the most important things that we can do right now is to stay connected. Connected with our fellow beings, human and otherwise, and connected with ourselves.
Self-care comes in many forms. There are some obvious ways that we can practice self-care, like making sure we’re getting enough sleep and eating well. But there are also more subtle ways that in our inter-connectedness we can ensure that we are not losing ourselves entirely.
Being completely locked down away from family and friends at this time can bring on feelings of intense isolation and loneliness. Making time to connect in whatever way is practical, like phoning our parents and siblings, socialising (digitally) with our friends and staying in touch with our work colleagues, can go a long way to provide the emotional support that we need.
For those of us that are locked down with a group of other people; family or housemates; it’s important to make sure that we get some time to ourselves. Setting boundaries helps with ensuring that we are able to make time to tune in to what we are needing.
Setting boundaries also extends to what we allow into our space and what we deliberately choose to exclude. Wisely avoiding that which is harmful, is also a form of self-care. Be sure not to get caught up in those horrible “forward this to all your contacts” type of messages. These are often just adding to the fear and in some instances can lead to feelings of complete despair and hopelessness for our collective futures. Of course, it’s important to stay aware of what’s going on around us, but we need to guard against constantly checking on statistics and news reports from around the world that are only showing the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, spend some time finding positive stories. Stories of love and compassion and the renewed sense of community that is apparent all around us.
Boundaries that are too soft and permeable that allow all the cries of the world to impact on our inner world, are not healthy. Boundaries that are too firm and impenetrable ensure that all our experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant, bounce off us completely. Set boundaries that are firm enough to protect you from despair, but permeable enough to allow all of our experiences to land gently, pushing nothing away.
Take time in silence to listen to your heart, your body and your mind. Meditation is a great way to practice self-care. Find a quiet spot where you can sit silently for a little while. Even five minutes at a time is enough to tune in to how you’re feeling and what you’re needing. Meditation is not about controlling your thoughts, it’s about recognising the habitual patterns of your thoughts and not being controlled by them.
Self-care is not selfish.
Self-care can not be outsourced.
By: Wendy Moulang Wellness