Rising from a burn out like a Phoenix out of a fire!
This is how I want all of us to see ourselves; 2020 has been quite the year and we deserve to be the Phoenix!
The pandemic hit in the middle of March this year and we used our Surge Capacity to get through it and we are still using it over six months later. Our surge capacity is used mainly for natural disasters – to get us through the event and aftermath. COVID-19 came and turned our lives upside down and hasn’t stopped, if you think about it, it’s like cleaning up while the tornado is still breaking the windows in the house. The difference between a tornado and COVID-19 is that COVID-19 is invisible and on going.
We have spent our Surge Capacity!
How do we find new sources of energy?
- We need to acknowledge that the weariness and anxiety we are feeling are normal. Accepting that life is different at this moment. We also need to start expecting less from ourselves. Now is not the time to be a superhuman, it’s okay to just be Liz.
- We need to recognize that we are going through an Ambiguous Loss and with all losses there are stages of grief. We need to acknowledge those stages in ourselves. Allowing ourselves to have “both-and” thinking instead of “or” thinking will give us “both” options helps to give hope in a time where everything seems to be hopeless.
- Let’s get things accomplished! No matter how small or large or unimportant something seems to someone else IF it is important and feels right to YOU then DO IT!! In Brene Brown’s Podcast on this subject she gives some great examples of things that don’t seem big to anyone but the person who got it accomplished.
Now that we have the knowledge of new sources of energy how do we reset our circuit breakers when they go off?
- Play (Time spent without purpose) – Do something that makes you feel free and uninhibited. Something that hours go by and you don’t even notice!
- Sleep – Six to nine hours of sleep a night will help your body and mind rejuvenate for the next day’s tasks.
- Saying No – Creating boundaries will end up creating freedom for yourself.
- Gratitude – Speaking or writing down three to five things you are grateful for in the morning put you in a positive mindset.
- Music – Dancing or singing to your favorite song or a song that increases your vibration releases energy and can help boost your mood.
- Nutrition – Feeding our bodies with nutritious foods will decrease our chance of fatigue and that 3:00pm crash.
- Connection – Maintaining and strengthening those relationships that bring us sunlight and are important to us.
- Exercise – Movement is the key to feeding the brain; a walk, yoga, stretching, or weight-lifting can help you release any energy you don’t need to be holding onto.
- Massage – Relieving physical tension helps release emotional and mental tension.
- Meditation – The Calm app is a great resource if you have trouble, like me, staying in meditation. When I want to focus on my breath work I use the Wim Hof method.
- Self-Compassion – Remembering it’s okay to just be at times. It is so hard to be compassionate to yourself but you deserve it so much!
- Nature – Being with the Earth (grounding) is very important to me right now. Gardening barefoot in my yard and allowing my skin to soak up the sunlight has been a game changer for my mood and well being.
- Chiropractic Care – After a chiropractic adjustment the body increases neurotensin and oxytocin hormones. Neurotensin helps to neutralize pain that is induced by stress. Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, boosts neuro-communication so the brain and body increase in communication as well as increasing the sensation of social bonding, which we all have been lacking during this time.
With Crisis Comes Great Opportunity!
Stay Safe and Live Extraordinary,
Dr. Elizabeth