Finding Strength in Darkness: Self-Care During Turbulent Times
It is safe to say that hardly any of us are immune to the deep suffering both nationally and internationally happening, and made evident by all the various news and social media outlets. Although for many it is important to be aware of world and national events, often times this can disempower us from making sustainable and lasting positive changes individually and collectively where they are most needed. Instead of being the change, it is easy to become distracted by the situations in which we can not change. So what can we do to empower ourselves again when we hear of or bear witness to disturbing events, or when we feel powerless to change social realities? Here are a few simple steps to take your power and energy back, amidst experiencing the effects of national and cultural traumas:
1. Get your body moving! Whether it is a brisk walk around the block, lifting weights, yoga, or dance, movement is one of the most underrated, and well researched tools to cope with the effects of stress and trauma.
2. Get connected. Let’s face it (no pun intended!), we live in a society where we have a lot of focus on communication (such as e-mail and social media), with less and less emphasis on genuine human connection. Connecting and asking for help from others is an incredibly empowering act. Reach out and talk to loving and understanding friends, family, or community members. Speak with a spiritual guide, teacher, coach, or counselor who can simply listen to your fears and anxieties and offer love and compassion. Organize a time for friends to get together and share, connect, and communicate openly and empathetically.
3. Take action. Find out what your local policies and laws are about topics you are most passionate about. Write a short letter, or make a quick phone call to government officials letting them know where you stand on a particular issue. Sometimes the smallest actions can be the most powerful. Taking action also includes random acts of kindness, such as helping your neighbor with their groceries, calling someone you care about, sweeping the floor, starting that vegetable garden you have always talked about having. Taking action is well known to help to counter-act the effects of the fight, flight or freeze response in the brain associated with primary and secondary trauma.
4. Take Pause. Whether it is through meditation, prayer, a nap, or simply getting enough sleep. Try to pick at least 30 minutes a day of conscious quiet time to yourself every day.
5. Take news and social media breaks. I know there may be some resistance to this, because of the need to stay informed. I think it is really important to remember that the majority of news sources have particular agendas to sensationalize certain topics, because of their own bottom line. Remember that everything you see on the news does in fact have a particular agenda to keep you engaged, and usually engaged in fear. One way I implement this is that I do not check news, e-mail, or facebook after 5pm, and instead focus on connecting with my partner, and friends to talk about what is on my mind and heart. I also journal, pray, and meditate at night to integrate any disturbance I have witnessed or felt in myself and in the world and reflect on what I can actually change. This has been a wonderful way to process, rather than feed into fears. I do believe the more we feed into our own personal healing, and the more full we are spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically, the greater chance we all have at creating a more loving and kind world.
Remember that Self-Care is not Selfish: Contrary to the popular belief that self-care is the same as selfishness, I believe true selfishness is NOT sharing our gifts with the world. It is really hard to share our Divinely given gifts with others when we are mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. By refueling our own mental, emotional, and spiritual tanks, we have more to share of ourselves, and more small and big acts of service to give to those we love and care for.
What do you do for your self-care during turbulent times?
I would love to hear form you!
