How Best To Find Calm


"This very moment is the perfect teacher, and it is always with us."

– Pema Chodron

How will you choose to respond? There are always choices.

How Are You Doing?


Many of you know that I am trained as an educator, yoga teacher, and a mindfulness and somatic therapy practitioner. I am also currently studying to become a psychotherapist. Right now I am drawing on these skills personally and am moved to share my knowledge with others during this uncertain time.It is important that we regulate our nervous systems. 

Below is a list of things I am recommending that you do in small doses throughout the day to help bring about calm. This is helpful for you as an individual, and helpful if you are a parent, caregiver, and/or partner at home. We feed off of each other’s energy. Anxiety is contagious, as is calm. We have to regularly engage in this stuff – this is the key! 

Calming Techniques

  1. Move your body rhythmically and regularly - dance, practice yoga, walk, run, skip rope.

  2. While respecting guidelines, get out into nature if possible. Walk while keeping a distance of at least 2 metres between you and others. If you have a balcony or back patio, use it. Listen to sounds and take in what you see.

  3. Breathe deeply – try inhaling for four counts and exhaling for six counts.

  4. Listen to music.

  5. Reach out and connect with another human being. Stay emotionally close to others as we practice physical distancing. We regulate through others.

  6. Meditate, pray, and/or practice gratitude - connect to your spirituality.

Here Are Some Other Self Care Suggestions:

  • Slow things down, anxiety whips us into an agitated, speedy state.

  • Monitor the amount of time you spend attending to the news. Consider tuning in once in the morning for a brief period and once towards the later part of your day. If you go to bed at 10:00 pm, intentionally disconnect from news and technology at 8:00 pm. 

  • Establish predictable structure in your day – this offers security.

  • Every forty-five minutes that you sit in front of a screen, get up and move  and breathe.

  • Remember that this time will pass – you are building your capacity to handle distress.

  • Practice self-compassion and kindness and know that you are not alone.

Connect With Me

I have worked with thousands of students and clients over the years, helping them to ground and find self-regulation tools.

I am now offering 50 minute virtual sessions to support people to mindfully cope and manage at this time. We can practice things like breathing together, grounding and meditating. I am here to help.  
 
I invite you to send me an e-mail if you want support. Follow me on Instagram at lisamitchellhealing for helpful tips and coping practices.


With abundant compassion and care,

 
Kathryn Bowen