The Unexpected Gift of Time

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity." -Hippocrates

1. Just two weeks ago, I was complaining to my husband about feeling 'time poor'.  I was craving more time for yoga, meditation, down-time with the kids and with him, but was so busy that I wasn't sure how to find the time for everything I wanted to do!  Well, wow, look how quickly things have changed in just that short amount of time.  (Be careful what you wish for, haha!)

These times have suddenly become very different and there is a lot of stress, fear, worry and anxiety to be sure.  However, many of us have also been given the rare gift of time, and knowing that this is a short-lived window of our lives, I think we should make sure not to miss it!  Now can be a time to focus on your health, your self-care and some quality time with your loved ones, if we remember to slow down and make it a priority.  

Of course we understand that not everyone has been given this time.  Many, many people are working overtime in hospitals and many other essential services to help us battle this horrible pandemic.  But for those of us who need to step back and stay home, we should be grateful for their sacrifice, help out in anyway that we can, and take good care of ourselves and our loved ones in the meantime.

Below are some suggestions for using your time to fill in some of the blanks on your self-care and wellness: 

1. Start a meditation, deep breathing or mindfulness practice:  
Starting the day by centering your self, breathing and enjoying some quiet can really set the day right.  Especially if you find yourself in the position of being a homeschooling parent, feeling grounded and centered will be very helpful.  Try the insight timer app for free guided meditations.  This week, we've also created an EFT/Tapping meditation to help with anxiety relief that is posted below.
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​2. Spend time in nature:
Nature is healing and calming.  Getting away from the stress of the world, breathing the fresh air and moving your body can work wonders.  Now is your chance to find some nature trails and hikes near your home, just make sure they are not in busy or crowded locations.  You could also just walk right out your door and go for a walk around the neighborhood.  The added benefit here is that you can wave hello to your neighbors and feel a sense of real connection to your community.

3. Move your body! 
Exercise releases endorphins that help with stress and relieves pain.  Spending more time at home, can make the body and mind feel stagnant and this is the perfect way to get things moving again.  Do something you enjoy, whether it's jogging, walking, yoga, cycling, strength training etc.  Also, consider learning something new!  With so many great online platforms, if you've wanted to try a barre, pilates or zumba class, now is your time!  If you have kids at home, get them involved in doing a class online with you.  It's a great way to move your bodies and have fun together!

4. Reclaim your time by remembering to unplug:
We live in the most distracting culture, in the most distracted time in history!  Now with the COVID-19 pandemic occurring, many people's distraction online is even higher.  Social media can be uplifting, but it can also increase your anxiety and fear.  While it's important to know what's happening in the news, checking in too often can be harmful to your mental health.  Take time to walk away from the virtual world and be in the present moment without all of that stimulation.  It will feed your energy and your spirit more than you can imagine.

5. Try new recipes, drink more water and eat healthy!
When you are home for extended periods of time, the snacking can get out of hand (believe me, I know from experience!).  But this time at home can also be an opportunity to try new recipes, experiment making healthier homemade snacks with your kids,  keeping yourself hydrated and trying some immune boosting soups, teas etc.  We will be posting recipes and videos regularly with inspiring things to try.  One of the healthiest things you can make is a 'bone broth' soup.  Try slow cooking a broth and really get all of the micro-nutrients and immune enhancing benefits from it!  There are many great online recipes and on one of our recent blog posts as well!

​We truly miss seeing all of you in our clinic and can't wait until we can be together again!  Let us know how we can support your wellness during this challenging time.