By Claire Walker Moffatt
The Importance of Self Care
For many of us, when our surroundings feel out of order we shut down and avoid the situation. In a way it’s a protective reaction from uncertainty. But to maintain the closed off stance will create more harm over time. I’ve talked about how there is a difference between our reactions and responses before. Reactions are the initial feelings and thoughts we have. Responses are more measured and fluid. Recognizing your initial reaction and then deciding how you will respond to the situation takes effort, patience and strength.
But the challenge is when things are unfocused, unsettled and even seeming chaotic, how do we pull ourselves from the reaction of avoidance to a response of perseverance? First, we must begin with self-care. I know it seems selfish, but we must take care of ourselves before we have the strength to take care of others. Restart your healthy routines, go for a walk, take a yoga class, see friends. Anything and everything that makes you feel a little less stressed and a little calmer and centered.
Once you have given yourself a little space to reset, understand what you can and cannot control. This is a critical tool in terms of protecting your energy. If we spend too much time on what could have been or even what went wrong (think analysis paralysis) then we waste our valuable energy and do not move forward. Instead acknowledge the situation and then recenter so you can move forward.
Also, we need to be flexible in our long-term responses, especially if we are dealing with a long-term situation. We won’t know everything at first. Things will evolve and change, and our responses need to be able to evolve and change. With information (and disinformation) available 24 hours a day we can feel like a ping pong ball bouncing between reactions (shutting down) and responses (measured and fluid). And this can take a huge toll on our energy. Find sources of information that are as balanced as possible. Realize that the situation may get worse before it gets better. Find like-minded people to connect with.
What you might find is that it is a rinse and repeat process for the duration of the situation. You may have days that you need to shut down for a bit, but you must pull yourself back up. Reestablish your self-care, reconnect with like-minded people, refocus on what you can control, and move forward.
Yoga is a practice that can help you recenter and reenergize both mind and body. In this time of uncertainty, come be a part of our community. Fill the room with your presence and breath. Leave feeling more centered so you can do the work it takes to persevere.
With Gratitude,
Claire
