Creating Healthy Coping Habits Will Help You Through Difficult Times
Challenging Times Require Dedication To Self-Care And Self-Compassion
Today is World mental health day, and I wanted to share a few strategies with you that I personally use and I highly recommend to my clients. Right now, there’s so much happening in the world, and people are really struggling. If you’re one of them, these strategies will really help you. They’re simple, effective and they’re science-backed or base in science.
#1 The first one is emotional validation. This is a super important thing to do, because most people don’t stop and really allow for their emotions to come through. Journaling and writing emotions is super helpful, because an emotion is energy in motion. The emotions are the feelings you feel in your body. If we stuff emotions down it really doesn’t serve you, and it continues to cause problems. Physical ailments or dis-ease can begin to take hold if you’re not allowing your emotions to come out. Writing it down can be really helpful.
#2 There’s a specific kind of meditation that I really like, and it’s called heart coherence. This kind of meditation has been touted by Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Bruce Lipton, and Gregg Braden. They are the luminaries in the field of human potential. I’ve been doing this kind of meditation for years, and I really feel the difference in my nervous system.
#3 Breath work is the third strategy. The mind follows the breath, and the breath follows the mind. Breathwork techniques serve to slow the body down. Slowing the breath down it indicates to the body that we’re safe, and that’s really what a lot of us are feeling right now…..that we’re not safe. There’s so much uncertainty.
#4 Aromatherapy can be a game-changer. The Olfactory Bulb in the nose is connected to the emotional brain, and when we use aromatherapy to reset our brain, it also resets our body. Remember a time when you were cooking or baking cookies with a family member or grandparents. Later in life you may smell the spice that you cooked with, and it takes you right back to that wonderful memory. That’s how powerful smell is, so use it to your advantage
#5 Exercise is clearly a go-to to release the stress in our body. It helps us to cleanse and purify the mind/body/spirit. It doesn’t have to be like a marathon, just getting out and walking around the block to get some fresh air is supportive. Being out in nature is really important, too. The color green is so soothing for us.
#6 Sleep is critical for well-being. Check your sleep hygiene, and get off technology at least an hour before bed.
#7 Take care of your gut. Gut health is on the radar now in the medical world, because it’s important that you have a healthy gut micro-biome. Bacteria is what actually digests our food so that we can absorb it.
These are my 7 tips for coping during challenging times. You can reach out to me, or go to my website https://www.solaycreative.com. Moms, I’m especially dedicated to your mental health right now. I’m a mom and a mom-preneur, so please reach out to me. I got some great more great tips and good stuff on my website for you.
Go to my home page and find “Moms Start Here”
Additional Resources:
National Suicide Prevention 800-273-8255
Text “Hole” to 916-688-4226
Trevor Lifelife (LGBTQ) 866-488-7286
Teen Help 800-TLC-Teen or 310-855-HOPE
