Today I am writing to ask how I can support you in this time of restriction if you are seeking comfort and freedom?
I have felt so much restriction myself through this difficult time and wanted to share with you a few practices and resources I have found to be comforting and freeing for me with you. I hope they resonate with you as much as they have with me.
I am diving in to ways that support my wellbeing – the above photo is me, yes, in my bathtub!! Our home doesn’t have a lot natural light coming in during the day. This corner of our home gets lovely sun in the morning and into the early afternoon so I have been taking advantage of that. I put some yoga props in the tub to support me, brought in books to read, colouring books to colour, my phone to listen to podcasts, a candle to help make it a sacred space, and my daughter even brought some twinkling lights for the evening when I’m having some quiet time to myself.
I have also found that going for a daily walk is so incredibly helpful to support my emotional and physical wellbeing. I do my best to take in the sights, sounds and scents of my daily walk to help me stay present. The walks haven’t always been in the best weather, but simply getting out there and moving has helped me. I’ve included a photo collage of me in a snowstorm, sweet little reminders from neighbourhood children of what is important in life and first crocuses and freshly budding trees of spring.
I am aware at some point I need to follow my walk with a Somatic Movement practice to release the muscle tension that may have unknowingly been building up during the walk. This can occur from the grade of the pavement on the path I take. Here in Tuscany there is always a slight slope down towards the ravine. I change direction each day to minimize the build up of muscle tension on one side of my body as it adjusts to the slope of the path. I also experience a little tension when someone is walking towards me – are they going to honour the physical distancing measure or should I move further to the side of the path to create that distance myself? Yesterday’s walk revealed a coyote sunning itself while keeping a close eye on me! I was so grateful that there was another lady walking about 40 feet ahead of me so I was not alone.
I have been keeping a gratitude journal and try to write down three things that I am grateful for at the end of each day. If I’m not too tired, I listen to a meditation when I go to bed. When I go to bed, I find a breathing practice of simply putting one hand over my belly and one hand over my heart as I focus on my breath to be very helpful.
Perhaps you are practicing some of these as well? Maybe you’ve found other ways to help you find comfort? I would love for you to share with me other ways you have found comfort.
Additional Resources
Text4Hope
Text: Covid19hope
To: 393939
Text4Hope is an Alberta Health Services program provided by the Mental Health Foundation, Calgary Health Trust, the University Hospital Foundation, the Albeta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation with support from the University of Alberta.
If you subscribe each day you will receive a message with or without a related web link, to provide support and build coping skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Free iRest Guided Meditation – “iRest is a meditation practice based on the ancient tradition of Yoga Nidra and adapted to suit the conditions of modern life. When practiced regularly – little and often – iRest enables you to meet each moment of your life with unshakable peace and wellbeing, no matter how challenging or difficult your situation.” from iRest.org
Brené Brown: Her “Unlocking Us” podcasts feature “Conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart.”
And for Fun – Resources to Make You Smile…
Pluto Living – this little puppy has definitely brought my family a lot of joy with the interpretations of what life is like for 2 leggeds (humans) right now from the 4 legged perspective (dogs).
Some Good News with John Krasinski – because it’s always nice to hear the really good things that are going on in the world right now (an ad will come up first – skip that when it allows).
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
