I have written many articles and social media posts this week and deleted all of them. I have felt unsure of what to share with you. Do I share a list of ways to cope in a pandemic? A list of vitamins to take? Inspiring quotes? Nothing feels right.
My wish is always to serve in some way; to provide something of benefit. But the world has never seen this kind of widespread fear and panic. All of my self-care tools are in full use to stay grounded and healthy. For that I am grateful – but what about those that do not have the resources and are in full fear mode?
I will first ask you a few caring questions. How are you? How is your body? How is your heart? How are your loved ones doing? Because I feel you – I feel it all. And I care. Deeply.
Feeling the fear and not burying it is important – but for how long? This is new for us. What if we instead change the way we look at fear and not let it be the enemy. Notice if we can consciously be with it instead.
Fear is a natural response to what is occurring in our world. Fear is how we respond to danger – it tells us when we are safe, or when we need to act to create safety for ourselves. It is interesting that not only do we feel all this fear right now – but we ‘fear the fear’ itself.
When the fear builds up we need to move. Let us try to walk it out and move the energy. You may not feel like it, but turn on a favourite playlist and dance – shake your body. Energy always needs to move. Sitting still, breathing and meditating might come later, and may not help right now – perhaps right now we need to move the energy and allow it to dissipate.
Creating a safe, warm and quiet space can also work wonderfully. Having long Epsom salt baths with soothing music. We all have to find our way with what feels best. I am doing it all – believe me.
Staying present is also part of this journey we are on – and – it is also natural to worry about the future. We can’t possibly know how this will all turn out. I can tell you this though – if all we focus on is fear we will add that energy to the collective consciousness. Fear begets fear. Let yourself feel and acknowledge it – and then find a way to move the energy. Then shift your thoughts back to that which are based on the energies of love.
Consider this:
We are a global community and supporting one another through whatever means we can, will help us all move through this. Know you are not alone. Reach out to me if you need support or resources. Reach out to friends and loved ones for support. Let us hold one another in whatever way we can; with much love.
Prayers for the world are incredibly important now. This is one I love:
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be free.
May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature.
~ Buddhist Metta Prayer
And here are a few tips for you from someone I love dearly, and that supports me:
Self Care in a Time of Pandemic – Beyond “Good Hygiene, Hand Washing and Social Distancing”
- Daily Probiotics
- Real Food in your diet (I.e. greens, fresh veggies and fruit) with minimum of sugar and processed snack food
- Soups with onion, garlic, chicken broth
- Drink lots of water (8-10 glasses day)
- Ginger and Green Tea with lemon and tsp unpasteurized honey
- Increase Vitamin D3 (up to 4000 IU daily) and Vitamin C (1-2000 mg up to 3x day)
- Homeopathics such as Oscillococcinum, Mucoccinum and Influeuziniem stimulate the immune system. Others like trauma care, Gripp-Heal and Lymphomyosot help with reducing the symptoms
- Fever reducing techniques like massaging the big toes and thumbs, focussing on the swirl helps to bring down a fever and calm the Immune System
- Use Air Diffusers or saucepan of water on low heat with Essential Oils, a few drops of Pine or Tea Tree oil kill airborne pathogens
- Take a tried and true immune system booster such as Echinacea, Golden Seal, Astragalus, Cordyceps and Elderberry to name a few. Zinc/Vitamin C lozenges or sucking on small onion pieces can be very helpful for sore throats
- Allow for more sleep (8-10 hours with this kind of stress)
- Take advantage of sunshine an your face and body whenever possible
- Continue to “move”. Exercise circulates the blood, releases tension.
- Take hot baths with Epsom Salts. These are more effective at relaxing your whole body.
- Take basic supplementation eg. good multi-vitamin D3, EFA/DHA, Essential Fatty Acids
*** From the Desk of Susanna J. Davis RN, BNSc, CH