When we think of resiliency we think of our ability to bounce back quickly from difficulties. Below, we outline 8 ways you can implement the practice of yoga off the mat to help you cope with pandemics and other random curveballs life throws your way unexpectedly.
1. Movement
The importance of movement or physical activity cannot be understated for a variety of reasons. One reason is to exhaust the body and give the mind something else to focus on other than the media/sensational news coverage or endless scrolling through social media. We all know we feel better after we exercise and yet we still put it on the back burner. Movement also helps you sleep better.
Action >> Have you moved your body today?
If you answered, YES.
Awesome work! Keep it up. Make a commitment to yourself to move every day.
If you answered, NO.
That’s ok. Get up and move for the next 20-30 minutes. Turn on your favorite tunes and dance like nobody’s watching. We won’t tell anyone you did the mashed potatoes and submarine.
2. Breathe
Use the power of the breath as a tool to bring a sense of calm back into the body and stillness in the mind. Our breath can create heat, it can help us cultivate balance, and it can soothe the nervous system aka induce the relaxation response (the opposite reaction to the “fight or flight” response).
Action >> Take three deep belly breaths. Or better yet, try this breathing technique called Three-Part Breath
3. Mindfulness
It encourages us to establish, if we haven’t already, a mindfulness/meditation practice, which allows us to observe our internal and external environments, and the exchange of information/energy between those two entities. Self-study or introspection is a great way to become a witness of your thoughts/emotions, behaviors and desires.
Action >> Grab your journal or start a new note in your phone or laptop, and ask yourself: What is your preferred method / approach for processing information? Just knowing how you prefer to process can illuminate what to do the next time you’re grappling with a situation.
Need more information on the benefits of mindfulness? Check out this blog post: Meditation & Mindfulness
4. Balance
Finding balance between effort and ease is always present. Being purposeful with our focus, energy and time helps bring us back into that sweet spot in the middle of being active or passive. By creating the structures within our schedules, we’re able to bring a sense of stability and security back into the day to day.
Action >> Grab your journal and take a moment to consider if your work/life balance is actually balanced. If not, what might you change in your schedule to bring it back into a place of balance?
5. Focus
Sometimes the simplest of techniques bring the greatest rewards. Meditation. Sitting still for just five minutes can improve your focus. It can help discern what you need to do right now vs. getting wrapped up in a swirl of distractions. And sometimes all you need is to just be still. AH!
Action >> Find a comfortable, firm seat where you can sit tall. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths. Stay in the stillness for a minimum of 5 minutes, hopefully longer. Notice how you feel afterwards.
6. Acceptance
It encourages us to let go of expectations for how we want things to be, and instead accept things exactly as they are right now. One of our favorite phrases to use is ‘this AND.’ It asks us to hold both the challenges in front of you and the joy in front of you in equal measure/weight, and to be as kind, compassionate, and grateful for all experiences.
Action >> Sometimes acceptance means owning our story, including the ones we want to hide away. If you’re ready and willing to share your infertility journey thus far with us, fill out this questionnaire. You never know, you might be featured in an upcoming blog post.
7. Choice
The ability to recognize our physical, mental/emotional, social, or spiritual responses to an obstacle or event, and consciously choose how we want to move forward. We always have a choice in how we respond, and the actions we take or don’t take.
Action >> Do you need help getting started with journaling? Check out our New to Journaling?blog post. Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration and encouragement.
8. Community
We can’t do it alone. Surround yourself (from a distance right now) with a support system of caring, generous and kind individuals who are there for you when you need them. Call a friend or family member. Telehealth your therapist. Hire a life coach to help you figure things out. Follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram.
Action >> Identify 3-5 supportive individuals who care about your well-being that you can call upon during a time of need. Tuck that list away somewhere for when you need it in the future.