A pandemic brings up many negative emotions. Some handle it by cleaning out the basement/closets/garage/utility shed and other numerous locales. Others eat – a lot of most anything to ease their struggles and pacify their fears.
Those who are depressed and concerned about all the day to day changes in their life – changes in sleep or eating patterns, worry about friends and family who may have the virus, as well as those who are increasing their tobacco and alcohol usage, need a safe place to be, at least in their minds.
Meditation works although many think you must do things in a special way or you need training for this. You don’t. You have all you need to meditate.
The safe place in your mind which may include some meditation is easy to create.
- Create a comfortable place that you can be alone for about fifteen minutes.
- Sit in a chair of any type where you will feel comfortable.
- Breathe deeply and easily. Four breaths in, hold for ten and release for four.
- Choose your special place, be it a beach scene, garden, or fantasy island.
- Add other furniture, rugs, lamps, all that you need to make this safe place yours.
- Use a word or description so you know where this place is and what is inside or around you.
- Know that you can go here anytime things become overwhelming, now or later.
Capture the feeling of this Safe Place and know this is yours, no one else’s. No one else has the creative mind that you do; there is no one else here unless you invite them.
Thanks for these timely tips, Joanne. Btw, you are the first coach – besides myself – to speak of work/life harmony in stead of work/life balance. Yes!
If WE agree, then we must be, right, right? In my attempts to explain Life/Work Harmony, I usually get resistance because they probably do not know what Harmony is!! Thanks, Jeff Ikler for taking the time to comment o my post.
When we create a safe space within, we can begin to acknowledge our safe space without. Beautiful simple guidance Joanne. Thank you so much!
Thank you Wendy Watson-Hallowell. My aim is to keep everything I do as simple as possible. I have no bandwidth re the complex! The complex requires me to simplify it-that’s what I do.
Thank you for sharing these tips with us, Joanne. My respite, especially during challenging times, is nature. I’m grateful that we live in the country with ample open space, and plenty of trails to hike. The fresh air grants me the freedom to work out whatever is on my mind and brings me closer to clarity.
Each of us needs to have space where we can recalibrate, especially now, but I suspect even more so when we begin to reenter our new normal.
When we reenter the New World, we will all need something we can rely on. Your space sounds ideal and I know many who would appreciate the opportunity to walk outdoors and feel refreshed. Thank you Laura Mikolatis!
Thanks, Joanne.
I’ve been telling the people I now who are feeling overwhelmed and angry/resentful to narrow their focus down and down until they can be with something for which they manage gratitude – even if that’s being glad to have dishes while emptying the washer. Helplessness breeds fear, and sometimes that can be managed by scale – like the serenity prayer.
Be good. And well.
To focus down is a splendid way of doing things. This strategy has helped me stay sane! Stay safe and thank you Mac Bogert.
Thanks, Paula Goodman and I am glad this is timely. Moving beyond the mindset of fear can be difficult for many. As you state, there are many ways to meditate and just be quiet! If there is too much noise, we cannot hear what we are meant to hear. I appreciate your insight. Take care and think great thoughts.
Great and to the point Joanne! Meditation comes in many forms. Some think it’s just sitting and chanting. It goes beyond this.. helping others get past this mindset is a great hurdle. I like to think of it as my protective bubble that allows me to take care of me. When I define the boundaries of self love and what I need to feel good allows me to know when those boundaries are being violated externally.. this signifies to me it’s time to retreat to the bubble and recharge! Meditation is really powerful in the form of honouring your value and self worth.
Thank you for this! Great timing for me to see and read too!
Have a great weekend my lady🙏 Paula