How to manage the fatigue

How to manage the fatigue

We are slowly starting the reopening and easing up on the lockdown. Different areas have had different levels of lockdown, and people have taken it seriously to different degrees.

Regardless, it’s been a long haul already managing the restrictions and their impact, and looking into what this means going forward as this pandemic won’t be over any time soon… Is the reality of the longevity of this hitting you hard? You are certainly not alone! People are fatigued, but we can combat this!

First, let’s understand what the fatigue is about. It has to do with:

  1. Being in a completely different daily environment/context than our usual (being locked-in with loved ones ongoingly without respite)
  2. Creating and managing a different daily routine and workflow (adjusting to our days being different than the usual with all the new intricacies of restrictions to boot)
  3. Learning how to do our tasks in a completely different way (learning, working and managing life solely online)
  4. Having less support, amenities and services (having to do without childcare, cleaning and other services, personal care services and the like)
  5. Mitigating the current responsibilities to others, financial and otherwise (carrying expenses in the face of less income or revenue, having sick family members to tend to, having larger responsibilities at work, and so on)
  6. Taking care of our health if we get or are sick on top of everything else (feeling unwell or getting really sick where priorities totally need to shift)
  7. Experiencing trauma, loss and grief (getting triggered, losing loved ones, missing out on life milestones and celebrations)
  8. Having limited social and other interactions (having less opportunities for connecting outside our inner circle and having additional contact)
  9. Missing out on activities, events, outings and the like (being limited in our repertoire and opportunities to refresh ourselves and savor life)
  10. Dealing with the unknown, the uncertainty and being ready for what the future might bring (questioning ongoingly what’s up and what’s next, not knowing what to do or how to carry on)

Phew! Well not for nothing! And, you might even have other stuff in your life to add to this list. Feeling fatigued totally makes sense. I’d like to give you a gold star for hanging in there to the extent that you have. Yes, it is hard, and it makes sense you are tired.

But, at the end of the day how you come out of this pandemic is really up to you, regardless of the struggles and challenges. What you choose to focus on is up to you… How you end up feeling is up to you… How you choose to show up is up to you…  What you choose to do about anything is up to you… Watch the thoughts that might trip you up and not let you fully take this in and embrace it!

Second, what do you do?

It’s time to take the bull by the horns and take charge of your life. Even though it makes sense to feel fatigued, at the end of the day it doesn’t have to kick your butt! It actually doesn’t have to feel so bad… For starters:

  1. Don’t stack your thoughts against yourself, others, the situation – what you allow yourself to think will perpetuate whatever feelings you are feeling. Don’t think ugh, gloom and doom, disaster and worst-case scenarios. Focus instead on what is a lesson for you, what is your growth place, what opportunity this creates, how can you serve better, and the like…
  2. Think on how you want to Be… How are you Being that way already and how you can be that way more…
  3. Think on what you want to do the rest of the year… What philosophy will you embrace and how will you run your life accordingly?

Approaching life from this angle is more empowering and relieves the stress and fatigue. It actually is inspiring and motivating… I promise.

The key is to want to feel better. Sometimes we just love to wallow in self-pity… We love to whine, complain and entertain conspiracy theories. Listen, regardless of what is going on out there, you are in charge of what is going on in your mind… For that is where the perspective, feelings and decisions are generated, and actually where life is created…

ASSIGNMENT: Decide to feel better, take charge of your mind, take charge of your life…

  • Make a list of all the thoughts and scripts running through your mind, check them for logical validity and clean them up…
  • Decide what values you want to live by and how you want to show up. Clean up parts of your routine that get in the way of this.
  • Choose what is one accomplishment you want to have under your belt during the lockdown, and then one for the rest of the year. Focus on accomplishing the goals, share it with loved ones to infuse it with good mojo. The rest of the to-dos are secondary… Prioritize accordingly.

That’s it. Don’t over think it. Don’t over complicate it. You can create what you want. Set your mind to it and do it.

When you simplify your approach and shift your focus, you feel much better… You’ll be able to replenish, build community and enrich your life easier even under restrictions… You can do it!

Here are recent Blog posts for quick reference, for you to grab what fits your current state and situation…

9 Tactics for weathering your quarantine (lockdown)

5 Insights for your physical and mental health

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

Focus on building stamina and resilience

Ready for positiveness yet?

Do you know you create your reality?

Coping with healthy vs unhealthy habits

Complete the Assignment, and share your takeaway, insights, and results with a note in the Comments box at the end! I’d love to hear how you are using this content.

Happy Recharging!

 

 

   Copyright (c) 2020 Emma K. Viglucci. All rights reserved.

 

Want to Use this Article in Your Own Website or Publication? 

Be our guest! Here is how, you MUST include: 
Emma K. Viglucci, LMFT is the Founder and Director of Metropolitan Marriage & Family Therapy, PLLC, a private practice that specializes in working with couples, she is the creator of the MetroRelationship philosophy and a variety of Successful Couple content that assist couples succeed at their relationship and their life. Stay Connected™ with Emma and receive weekly Connection Notes in your inbox with Personal Growth and Relationship Enrichment insights and strategies, visit: www.metrorelationship.com

 

Are you on the same page about money?

Are you on the same page about money?

As there has been so much talk of doom and gloom about the economy and everything economy related, crashing oil prices, recession in line with the Great Depression, major layoffs and furloughs, businesses closing down and the rest of it, finances are on our minds more than ever.

This is usually a hot topic for couples regardless of recessions or pandemics. We teach our couples a protocol to get on the same page that eliminates stress and conflict around managing their finances.

Hey, if you have conflicts around money, you are not alone. And, this is regardless of your tax bracket. There is usually a more lax-about-money partner in the relationship that is partnered up with a more conscientious-about-money partner.

This should not come as a surprise as partners are usually pretty opposite in most personal characteristics… This is part of the attraction, the glue, and a source of conflict that at the end of the day serves as growth opportunities for the partners…

Their differences create annoyance and conflict for the partners who need to stretch in order to understand each other, engage with what’s in front of them and to figure out how to mitigate their gap. This promotes growth and evolution for the partners…

Money conflicts can take on many forms where the partners don’t agree how the other operates, and is affected by the other’s approach…

These are some financial areas where partners don’t see-eye-to-eye or that tend to become issues for partners:

  • Level of spending
  • Obsession with frugality
  • Amount contributed to the household
  • Managing finances and related tasks 
  • Carrying debt
  • Taking risks
  • Being irresponsible with things like gambling or purchasing luxury items
  • Subsidizing addictions
  • Achieving milestones
  • Planning for the future

Having opposite styles, different knowledge base and management skills, and different mindset and relationship with money creates a pervasive undercurrent in the relationship that when not addressed undermines the partnership.

It behooves the partners to get on the same page about different financial topics:

  1. Address who contributes how much, when and how
  2. Create a management system
  3. Assign specific tasks and responsibilities
  4. Set goals
  5. Establish a budget
  6. Address decision making
  7. Agree on spending
  8. Set up staying current
  9. Address specific issues and needs (gambling, debt reduction, saving, etc.)
  10. Enlist appropriate professionals (to help with prenups, wills, insurances, investing, etc.)

Of course, every couple’s financial situation is different, just as is their story, their background and everything else. The protocol we provide helps partners address financial topics and collaboration despite their situation. We help partner address limiting believes, bad habits and financial relationship skills.

Obviously, we don’t provide financial or legal advice. When we have these conversations, we direct our clients to consult with the appropriate professionals to make sure their numbers and plan make sense for their life. We don’t do numbers, we do feelings, scripts and processes.

Also, when we have these discussions, we encourage the partner that is more-lax-about-finances to empower themselves with more knowledge and support that’s appropriate to their situation. They usually lack information and skills that are holding them back, in addition to the emotional and mental barriers around being responsible for their financial wellbeing… We recommend SavvyLadies for the women in this category.

And, I recently partnered with Down to Earth Finances, to assist women who are stressed about money and are lagging in taking charge of their finances. They are offering a 3-month program for Personal Finance, Legal and Self Care with live webinars every month plus to-do lists, templates, check-ins and community: Woman’s Compass: The Course — very reasonable and launches May 5th!

This is an in-depth and detailed program to help move you from “mole-whacking” to mindfully managing your finances, legal needs and overall wellness including nutrition, exercise and mindfulness. Over three months, you’ll create your plan and build the knowledge and confidence to tackle it intentionally, with direction, understanding and support … While listening to your own personal inner compass!

Finances don’t have to be a source of stress in your relationship. The key is to not to randomly address your finances, but to get on the same page about it with your partner and to have a plan.

Remember, that even though a conversation is about money and finances, relationship skills and you showing up with your best self are still needed for that conversation to go well…

ASSIGNMENT: Assess your current financial situation to identify your messes and your successes, and how you are currently collaborating with your partner:

  • Celebrate your successes and give yourself a pat on the back!
  • What are the items you need to address? Increasing revenue/income, reducing spending/debt, getting organized, having a system, setting goals, planning for the future, synchronizing and collaborating with your partner, consulting professionals for assistance
  • Decide which item to tackle first, add it to your to-do/calendar, and commit to taking care of it!
  • Invite your partner into a conversation to improve your financial situation

As things are a little nutty in the world right now, it’s important that we get our bearings and take care of our business. Step up your game today!

Here are recent Blog posts for quick reference, for you to grab what fits your current state and situation…

9 Tactics for weathering your quarantine (lockdown)

5 Insights for your physical and mental health

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

Focus on building stamina and resilience

Ready for positiveness yet?

Do you know you create your reality?

Coping with healthy vs unhealthy habits

Complete the Assignment, and share your takeaway, insights, and results with a note in the Comments box at the end! I’d love to hear how you are using this content.

Happy Collaborating!

 

   Copyright (c) 2020 Emma K. Viglucci. All rights reserved.

 

Want to Use this Article in Your Own Website or Publication? 

Be our guest! Here is how, you MUST include: 
Emma K. Viglucci, LMFT is the Founder and Director of Metropolitan Marriage & Family Therapy, PLLC, a private practice that specializes in working with couples, she is the creator of the MetroRelationship philosophy and a variety of Successful Couple content that assist couples succeed at their relationship and their life. Stay Connected™ with Emma and receive weekly Connection Notes in your inbox with Personal Growth and Relationship Enrichment insights and strategies, visit: www.metrorelationship.com

 

Coping with healthy vs unhealthy habits

Coping with healthy vs unhealthy habits

As we are faced with retriggered trauma, loss, uncertainty, stress and restraints, now is the time to access our best parts not only to weather this storm well but to be ready for what’s next…

When we allow ourselves to numb out and shutdown, to sink into a hole, to spiral out of control or to simply press pause on our life and our dreams, we are hindering ourselves now and are making things more challenging for later…

Hey, I get it. This are unprecedented times we are living in. This Pandemic is impacting all areas of life and the world. It has thrown life as we know it into a tizzy. But you know what, you don’t have to let it kick you in the teeth!

You do have a choice as to how you deal with your life and everything in it, including the impact of this situation. Please don’t choose being disempowered…

Before this crisis you might have been living your life by how you preferred, now you have to live your life by your Character Strengths If you were not fully owning your life before the crisis started, you are probably having an even harder time than others now. My heart goes out to you. The struggle is real! I get it.

But you know what, you can start turning things around right now… All you have to do is decide… Yes, decide…

Decide what? Decide that you will not indulge in explanations/excuses, blame, self-pity and gloom… Decide that you will take charge of yourself. Decide that you will own your life and make the most of it… Decide that you will rock it today and going forward, no matter what.

Yes, how you are feeling and how you are doing is the result of the choices you make… Sorry, don’t shoot the messenger. We have so much knowledge and research in the fields of psychology, sociology, neurobiology, epigenetics, and a host of others to know that we create our own state/wellness, health, and success – we create our own reality… Yes, even if the worse stuff is happening…

I refer you to Man’s Search for Meaning a story of triumph (free with Audible trial) by Viktor Frankl, an internationally renowned psychiatrist, who developed a revolutionary approach to psychotherapy based on meaning as a motivational force, while he endured years of unspeakable horror in Nazi death camps!

This is good news! For now, it might rankle as you might have dug yourself into a hole but in the end, this means you can create whatever you want. This means you start now, regardless of the pandemic. It doesn’t cost anything to own yourself…

It doesn’t cost anything to do basic self-care to change your state and how you feel… It doesn’t cost anything to make healthier choices. It doesn’t cost anything to have great supportive and empowering habits… Stop with the excuses!

If you are struggling to the point where you can’t function, have been moping around and laying around, can’t make good decisions, and the like, then it’s impressive that you are even reading this. You get a gold star. And, this tells me you can start taking better care of yourself, just saying… Start really small.

Do get additional support if the struggle is really great. Why suffer unnecessarily? And, if it’s a financial thing – there is plenty of free content and support out there… And, if you can’t bring yourself to find and engage in these, ask a loved one to help you… Start somewhere…

The key is to not let the world chaos dictate our life but to find internal peace and operate from such instead… This we have control over… This is what makes the difference… I promise!

If you have been thinking, We are in this lock-down, everything is closed, there is nothing to be done and you are waiting for things to reopen and “go back to normal”, I have news for you, you are shooting yourself on the foot.

Stop this thinking immediately. This does not serve you. YOUR LIFE IS NOT ON PAUSE! This is an opportunity to Reconnect, Redefine, Recalibrate, to Reset…  To course correct… Your life, as is everyone else’s and the world at large, is going through what I’ve been calling a necessary deconstruction to Reconstruct.

If you are snoozing, are on pause, or are white-knuckling through this, you are missing out on the opportunity… You are making things worse for yourself. For once the lockdown is lifted and we go back to what will be a New Normal, you won’t be ready for it…

You won’t have made the necessary adjustments and have experienced the growth needed to Thrive in the New World. You’ll continue to have a struggle, or just go back to things as usual without the ability to do better… This will absolutely suck if you allow this to happen, please don’t.

If you are just waiting to “go back”, you are missing out on the growth and development you are supposed to have… You are missing out on making the changes you are supposed to make in your life anyway… You are missing out on seeing the opportunities to innovate and serve through this crisis and in the New World… You are missing out on tapping into your purpose and living a more meaningful life…. You are missing out on Living…

So, what does this mean?

This means you start slowly claiming your power and making changes. It’s as simple as starting to implement wellness, connection and success habits, for Intentional Habits™

This means living more intentionally, mindfully and proactively…

SO:

Don’t do these!

  1. Overeating, overloading on carbs, over snacking, eating late at night
  2. Partaking in stimulants and suppressants – caffeine, alcohol, marijuana, etc.
  3. Taking all kinds of over the counter medicines to help you sleep, go to the bathroom, for sniffles, for this, for that
  4. Laying around, sitting for too long, and otherwise not moving or exercising your body
  5. Binging on Netflix where you are consuming seasons upon seasons of different shows
  6. Killing time gaming
  7. Getting lost in social media, the news or scrolling online
  8. Policing, minding and hating on what a neighbor, a friend, a coworker, the Cuomos, Trump, or an Influencer is doing their stuff
  9. Over stocking your home with goods
  10. Focusing on what your partner is doing or not doing…

Sound familiar? Well, not for nothing you might not be feeling and doing so well…

Do these!

  1. Start Intermittent Fasting and low-carbing
  2. Take supplements
  3. Detox and alkalize – first thing in the morning, drink warm lemon water with turmeric, ginger and cayenne pepper as desired, stay hydrated
  4. Exercise, stretch and do intentional movements throughout the day, take walks or bike rides
  5. Meditate (here is a nice meditation), listen to affirmations, journal, plan your intentional day
  6. Listen to or read inspirational and motivational content
  7. Clean and declutter your environment, organize your home, tackle overdue projects and tasks
  8. Pursue a hobby or interest; stay social by creating and attending virtual gatherings and staying in touch with loved ones
  9. Spread positivity with praise, compliments, appreciation, acknowledgement, shifting to higher level conversations…
  10. Brainstorm and innovate to address an issue or serve better at work or in your business

Take advantage of this opportunity to shift… This is what you’ve been waiting for… If you miss this message, sign, chance, then gosh, not sure what you need to wake up. This is the 2×4, this is it!

Here are prior related Blog posts for quick reference, for you to grab what fits your current state and help you shift…

ASSIGNMENT: Oh boy, isn’t this fun?! I love playing with creating and developing new Habits. I wish this for you as well as it makes a massive difference on how you feel and how you do… Pick one unhealthy habit you commit to letting go and a healthy one you commit to integrating into your daily routine that you’ll do instead.

Be compassionate and gentle with yourself, but don’t enable yourself to fall off… Don’t allow yourself to get too far off course in the face of obstacles or after you got in your own way… Get back on it, and keep course correcting…

You have a chance to shift into your better life… How often are we faced with such a colossal opportunity? Will you jump on it, or will you stay behind? It is up to you…

Complete the Assignment, and share your takeaway, insights, and results with a note in the Comments box at the end! I’d love to hear how you are using this content.

Happy Shifting!

 

   Copyright (c) 2020 Emma K. Viglucci. All rights reserved.

 

Want to Use this Article in Your Own Website or Publication? 

Be our guest! Here is how, you MUST include: 
Emma K. Viglucci, LMFT is the Founder and Director of Metropolitan Marriage & Family Therapy, PLLC, a private practice that specializes in working with couples, she is the creator of the MetroRelationship philosophy and a variety of Successful Couple content that assist couples succeed at their relationship and their life. Stay Connected™ with Emma and receive weekly Connection Notes in your inbox with Personal Growth and Relationship Enrichment insights and strategies, visit: www.metrorelationship.com

 

Ready for positiveness yet?

Ready for positiveness yet?

After large numbers of deaths in NY/NJ, the outbreak seems to be slowing down and the curve flattening a bit in this area. Yay! This is just the beginning of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Hey, I’ll take ANY good news. Focusing on the good is Good…

What insights have you gotten about yourself as a result of this experience so far?

How have you stretched outside your comfort zone to step up your game in self-management and positively responding to this crisis?

What are you seeing as possible personal lessons and takeaways up to this point?

We’ve been at this for give or take a month now with a few more weeks to go, at least… Have you hit your stride with being locked-down, or are you still adjusting?

Are you concerned about the sustainability of the temporary new normal? What are the things that concern you the most? How do you usually deal with things that trouble or worry you? Does your usual approach serve you, or do you need to uplevel to meet the demands of this time? How will the upleveling serve you in the future…?

How do you foresee possibly coming out stronger at the end of this?

Can you see what might end up being positives after all this is said and done?

I know it’s challenging to look for the good in the midst of a Pandemic… But, I see a lot of deconstruction happening, preempting ReConstruction. This is always a good thing…

Can you foresee how this might play out locally, nationally, and globally in all areas of life? How can you be part of the solution, of the reconstruction? What role would you play? What would be your place? How would you contribute? How can you start doing that now, if you aren’t doing that already?

This is the time to get out of our own way, to transcend the petty and the minutiae for the higher calling and for a more meaningful life…

Where are you in your Journey? What is the Pandemic spotlighting as the work you have do in your own life? Where is your growth place? What needs attention? What code do you need to crack? What are you proud you’ve accomplished or been able to do? What do you need support with to do better or change?

It’s during times of crisis that the big shifts happen and epic change is possible… What does this mean for your wishes for the world, and for yourself? How can you embrace this and ride this wave of transformation and new beginnings?

Yes, we are still in the muck. These questions might feel a bit premature… You might think this is completely missing the mark. But, I assure you that entertaining this lens, this mindset and this outlook is the way back to health and to a better tomorrow.

If you are not ready for this message, that’s OK. As I’ve been writing, we are all in different places, have been impacted to different degrees and with different flavors, and have different readiness levels. It’s all good. We are where we are in our Journey. Take what serves you right now, ignore what doesn’t.

But, regardless of where you are, I implore you to toy with some of these questions to help you align, regroup and prosper faster and better…

Regardless of what is happening out there, change starts in here…

Here are prior related Blog posts for your quick reference, for you to grab what fits your current state:

9 Tactics for weathering your quarantine (lockdown)

5 Insights for your physical and mental health

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

Focus on building stamina and resilience

As we all do ourselves better, collectively we do better. Let’s step up our self-management, let’s show up better for ourselves, for our partner, for all our loved ones, for our community and for the world at large. Now that’s how we create a better world… It all starts with us…

ASSIGNMENT: Train your mind to look for the lessons, for the growth places, for how to do things better, for how to show up better, for how to step it up, for how to ask better questions, for how to look for better solutions,  for how to see the silver-lining, for how to see the good, for how to see the beauty, for how to do our Human Experience in a worth-while way…

As we begin to entertain coming out on the other side of this, make this experience mean something and count for something… See how you can use it as part of your Journey…

Complete the Assignment, and share your takeaway, insights, and results with a note in the Comments box at the end! I’d love to hear how you are using this content.

Happy Transcending!

 

 

   Copyright (c) 2020 Emma K. Viglucci. All rights reserved.

 

Want to Use this Article in Your Own Website or Publication? 

Be our guest! Here is how, you MUST include: 
Emma K. Viglucci, LMFT is the Founder and Director of Metropolitan Marriage & Family Therapy, PLLC, a private practice that specializes in working with couples, she is the creator of the MetroRelationship philosophy and a variety of Successful Couple content that assist couples succeed at their relationship and their life. Stay Connected™ with Emma and receive weekly Connection Notes in your inbox with Personal Growth and Relationship Enrichment insights and strategies, visit: www.metrorelationship.com

 

Focus on building stamina and resilience

Focus on building stamina and resilience

As the saga of Covid-19 continues and the outbreak is expected to peak in our area this coming week, now is the time to generate as much mental strength and fortitude as we can muster. It is not easy witnessing so much illness and death. Other parts of the country are trailing behind us, so these are going to be a couple of tough weeks. Turmoil and loss are not easy.

What’s really tough about all this is that we are experiencing so much loss in so many different ways. If you are not immediately impacted by the death of a loved one, it doesn’t mean that you are not also experiencing loss. Our very own way of life has been usurped. That in and of itself is a major loss…

We are all experiencing our own level and type of loss, some more than others, but we are all non-the-less experiencing some level of shock, numbness, sadness, denial, despair, anxiety, anger, guilt, loneliness, depression, helplessness. And, as this thing continues to ramp up, and the losses increase, the feelings are going to get more pronounced and prevalent.

We can be pro-active about how we manage ourselves to lessen the impact on our wellbeing and our lives.

What does this mean? This means a few things, that we:

Maintain control over the things we can control – Trying to control the circumstance that are happening around us is a futile effort. We can’t control what we can’t control and if that is your approach to your current experience you are having a more difficult time than is par for the course.

Don’t try to control the circumstance, focus your control on your immediate environment and how you are choosing to look at what’s happening, let it impact you and what you do about it…

The more you are bogging out, the more you need to dial this in and focus on your most immediate physical environment. Tidy up the messes, clean up, organize, and create systems in your home and work. This will give your brain a focus and your body an outlet. Get to work!

Manage our lives in smaller bites – Because things feel so big, we are trying to solve all the problems of the world at once. Or, at least all the things in our lives that are not working or that are affected. Chill cookie. Pick one issue or concern at a time, focus on it to resolution or completion.

If you have to wait on others for responses and such, then you can move on to the next one while you wait. Don’t start or engage in too many of these at once. The juggling will only create more stress and anxiety. We have less bandwidth than usual, be kind to yourself. Don’t overdo it and crash yourself. We are not going anywhere, and this Pandemic is temporary. It’s OK, to move slower…

Are gentler, more compassionate and more forgiving – Seriously, watch the shaming, the criticizing, the judging, the blaming, the complaining, the controlling, the resenting, the demanding, arrogance, the perfectionism, and such. These are not nice to inflict on others or yourself, outspoken or in your head. Mind your expectations of yourself and others.

These are poison to your body, mind and spirit / energy. Nothing good comes of entertaining and partaking in these thoughts, feelings and actions. Monitor yourself closely and eradicate these as soon as they pop-up. This in and of itself will increase your mental, emotional and physical resilience… Clean up your act immediately!

Balance retreating and connecting – Create alone time to regroup, process, get grounded, and recharge. This is just as important as Connection time. Because we are in lockdown and deprived of our usual interactions, we are super focused on connecting. Nothing wrong per se with this. But, we have to make sure we have enough separateness and respite to Connect with ourselves also…

Step up our gratitude and mindfulness practice – Set some time aside every day, more than once a day if you can, to meditate, journal, listen to affirmations, be in gratitude, show appreciation, pray, engage with inspirational material, and the like.

For real, limit your social media and news consumption. I don’t care what your profession is, you need to remove the alarm and stimulation that’s coming at you. If for some reason this is not feasible, then counter the polluting and triggering material with enriching and recharging positive material… You just have to do this to neutralize the junk taken in…

Appropriate meditations for today:

Let Go of Worry and Fear and Cultivate Peace

Being Present to Find Peace from Within During Challenging Times

Embrace activities with repetitive movements and exercise – These are ways to not only release pent up energy and circulate and change body, but they also engage the brain differently providing soothing benefits. There is plenty of exercise and working-out apps and advise online. If you are not working out yet – get moving, literally. LOL

Aside from exercise things like coloring, painting, knitting, vacuuming, brushing a pet, braiding hair, shooting hoops, swinging, bike riding, etc. provide a rhythmic hypnotic experience that soothes.

Also, try Havening… It’s a specific form of caressing oneself that sends calming signals to the brain… It’s doing a downward caressing motion form the top of your thighs to your knees, from the top of your arms to your elbows, form your elbows to your wrists, from the top of your forehead to your chin. Don’t rub back and forth. Use a downward motion. Great to teach children too who have difficulties falling asleep or who are very active… 

Play in nature, with children and pets – Build into your routine outdoor and play time. The sun, fresh air and naivety of children and pets are blessings. Rejoice!

Engage in creative expression – Find a creative outlet… This gives the problem solver, analytical and data focused part of our brain a break. And, it activates more feel-good parts. Hey, maybe now is the time to learn a new instrument or pull out the brushes and canvases.

Help and contribute – Changing the focus to a more positive endeavor is mana for the brain and Spirit. Choose to contribute in ways that are inspiring and come natural to you. Share your gifts, passions and strengths. Don’t offer to help in ways you know will deplete you. What’s the point in that? You have special talents and specific resources that others can benefit from, put them to good use!

Where you are in your own personal development, in your Journey and pandemic timeline, will determine which of these resonate more for you and which make sense to integrate into your repertoire as you go along.

Everybody is impacted differently and to different degrees. What works for you, might not work for somebody else, possibly not even your partner… Stay open and flexible. We are all in this together, but we all have our own experiences…

Here are prior related Blog posts for your quick reference:

9 Tactics for weathering your quarantine (lockdown)

5 Insights for your physical and mental health

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

Here are some pointers I recently shared to my list on how to do your life to minimize the upheaval you might be experiencing. These are good practices for personal and relationship wellbeing… Some might sound basic, others not applicable, and yet others impossible for you to consider given where you are. Take what serves You…

  1. Create a daily structure that supports who you are, your family and current needs. Build-in Wellness, Connection and Success Habits into the routine… Include time for
  2. On Sundays, implement a more robust Self-Care practice and set up time to review the upcoming week with your partner to synchronize about anything that needs to be addressed.
  3. Every evening plan and get ready for the next day – what’s needed, activities, workflow, etc.
  4. Give yourself time to whine down before going to bed in the evenings. Create a soothing night-time routine for yourself… Eliminate electronics and other stimulants for at least one hour before bed.
  5. Every morning, start the day earlier than your usual and do your Self Care Practice… Start the day strong and grounded…
  6. Honor your Habits to keep taking care of yourself and your life… Include spiritual and religious practices. Connecting to your Higher Self and your Higher Power. Being in mediation and prayer.
  7. Be intentional about separating your work from your personal time – day into evening, weekday into weekend. They might be different because there is no work or school, but bring in different activities and energy into the flow…
  8. Be mindful that being in the same space with your partner does not necessarily mean you are Connecting… More on this below. Implement different ways of connecting with others, don’t just depend on your partner and immediate family for connection.
  9. Be super vigilant of your thoughts, don’t take yourself on rides no matter how juicy, dire, or triggering the situation. This only makes things worse. I promise. (I know, this is much easier said than done. If you are struggling, get support!).
  10. As things get more tough with loss and other trauma, be extremely mindful of being compassionate, soothing and loving to yourself and your loved ones… Build up as much reserve and resilience as possible now to minimize the impact you might experience. Prepare for what’s to come the best you can, trust that you will be OK in the end…

Take charge of your own wellbeing. Be prepared for the long-haul but take one day at a time. Keep everything simple. Focus on recharging and staying positive. Be witness to what is still beautiful in the world.

ASSIGNMENT: Take a few minutes to plan out your week to include more ease, intentionality, positive habits, and lots of self-care. Get rid of any excess that creates stress. Get rid of everything that depletes energy and creates unnecessary worry. Combat the fatigue with positive, recharging and inspirational content and activities. Keep the eye on the long-game, take a higher perspective. Don’t miss the forest for the tree. Remember, this too shall pass…

Focus on building resilience and stamina. And, hey, give yourself a little treat or kind words. Now, is the time to be super nice to yourself!

Complete the Assignment, and share your takeaway, insights, and results with a note in the Comments box at the end! I’d love to hear how you are using this content.

Happy Strengthening!

 

 

   Copyright (c) 2020 Emma K. Viglucci. All rights reserved.

 

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Emma K. Viglucci, LMFT is the Founder and Director of Metropolitan Marriage & Family Therapy, PLLC, a private practice that specializes in working with couples, she is the creator of the MetroRelationship philosophy and a variety of Successful Couple content that assist couples succeed at their relationship and their life. Stay Connected™ with Emma and receive weekly Connection Notes in your inbox with Personal Growth and Relationship Enrichment insights and strategies, visit: www.metrorelationship.com

 

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