HEALTH & WELLNESS
Abby’s Pandemic Survival Guide
Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality.
~Jen Sincero
Greetings Everyone!
The Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has been one of the most challenging events many of us have ever faced in our lifetimes. Like a volcano about to erupt, lava in the form of Fear is threatening to consume us. Thankfully the human spirit is resilient and we have tools at our disposal to navigate these scary times. Following are a few helpful tips:
- Maintain Perspective – Having access to global information 24/7, some of it inaccurate can be debilitating. One of the things we can do immediately to stem the flow of information is to set up boundaries to limit our exposure time. These boundaries could extend beyond the news to social media, well-meaning friends and family members who make it their job to “keep us in the know” and any other sources. When we look at the bigger picture sure, the number of Covid-19 cases is increasing and so too are the number of people who are surviving. Here is a link to John’s Hopkins for real-time stats.
- Just Breathe – While we have limited control over external circumstances we can control what we do now at this moment. Stay at home orders and quarantine processes have has slowed the busyness of life to allow us time to be more fully present with ourselves and with one another. Social distancing and public restrictions have shifted our priorities and have opened the door for a more meaningful connection right here, right now, at this moment. Here are a few resources that might be helpful to you:
- 3-minute Mindful Breathing Meditation
- Soothing Instrumentals
- Rainforest Sounds
- Insight Timer
- Meditation Oasis
- Laugh (search Covid 19 parody music on YouTube) Hello (from the Inside) & Vogue by Chris Mann are two of my faves.
- Acknowledge Priorities – Follow guidelines from public health officials and government agencies, including the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). While being safe at home can feel restrictive to some, having a place to call home is something to be grateful for. Learning new ways to engage with our families in real-time are opportunities we wouldn’t ordinarily think about because of so many distractions. Spending time sharing activities together as a family can bring us closer together. Better yet, let’s get back to basics:
- Learn a low-tech hobby like knitting, crocheting, calligraphy, scrapbooking, gardening, plant veggies in the yard or a pot, sewing, canning veggies or making jam
- Build a jigsaw puzzle, play board games, play cards
- Handwrite a letter to each of your kids, relatives or friends
- Learn to bake bread from scratch or cook an entire meal on the grill (veggies, meat, etc)
- Helping Others – When we face adversity on a massive scale like Covid-19 there are very few people who remain unaffected. While we are in this pandemic together, our individual journeys through it are unique. Now more than ever we need to reach out a helping hand to those in need. Focusing outward in empathy is not only humane it also creates the opportunity for enriching connections.
- Spread Hope – Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Covid-19 is descending upon us like a blanket of darkness. Becoming a beacon of hope for others by lending an ear, offering an encouraging word, and kindness are essential to get through these turbulent times.
In Closing
Over the course of this pandemic, I will publish content that I hope will calm, inspire, and at times entertain you. Remember what’s happening now is temporary and it will pass. Take care of yourself, each other and remember to always be kind.
Name at least one new thing you can learn to do during this quarantine?
Image Descriptions:
- Header image: Stormy weather with a big wave and dark rock in the stormy sea, blue and white toned.
- Bold Blind Beauty’s fashion icon, Abby is looking pretty chic in a teal tank top paired with gray joggers. She is posed kneeling next to her retired guide dog, Alexis, a beautiful Yellow Lab. As in all of her photos, Abby is sporting her signature explosive hairstyle.