Living Thoughtfully: You Matter

We are regularly hearing from our clients and client organizations that they are starting to feel like their world is coming apart.

We live in increasingly stressful times. The world is moving fast, there are powerful political divides, people are doing more and more in their roles at work, and families are juggling multiple schedules across 2, 3, or even 4 generations. And, now we are faced with Coronavirus.

It’s no wonder that it feels like the world is coming apart!

When you and the people you care about are under stress, it is critical that you put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Now, we know that oxygen masks won’t actually drop out of your ceiling at home or work, but the idea of taking good, thoughtful, and proactive care for yourself operates on the same principle.

Ensuring that you are taking good care of yourself increases your resistance to stress and illness, and it increases your resilience when under stress or when sick.

Now is the time to be certain you are doing the following:

• Sleep
  Get 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night (some people need 9 to function best).

  We know that it can be challenging, but we’re not kidding here. This is critical during times when it feels like your world is coming apart.

• Water
  Drink lots of water.

  Water does so many things that are important when you’re under duress. It flushes your system, keeps your skin and mucous membranes moist and less likely to crack (opening you to the risk of germs), and it helps your brain function more effectively.

• Food
  Eat as healthy as you can.

  Food is as much medicine as it is nutritious, so take advantage of this fact.

• Exercise
  Exercise every day, even if for a few minutes.

  Exercise is important to your immune system, your resilience, and your ability to weather the storms of life. 15 – 30 minutes of movement each day can help you get through challenging times and support you in dealing with all that comes at you during a day—even germs.

• Spirit
  Take time each day, or at least each week, to nurture your spirit.

  It’s amazing how often we let this go when life gets busy, and yet that’s when it’s most important.

  This can be as simple as listening to a meditation on an app, reading a passage from a spiritual text, taking a conscious walk in nature, or going to a service at your church, synagogue, or mosque.

Start putting the oxygen mask on yourself this week. It will support you staying as healthy as possible, both physically and mentally.

Next week we’ll talk about how to take care of yourself—particularly your physical health—when people around you are getting sick.

Stay well.