It is about to turn Thnaksgiving 2020. No one I know thought that we would still be talking "lockdowns", "pandemic", "social distancing", "masking", and more "new" words for our world!
Yet is is the time that we remind ourselves of all we have. We need to stop thinking just about ourself but also about others. Sure you can't go see that person but you can do what you can do to help. You can realize how much you have to be thankful for especially when you compare yourself to others.
Write down the names of three people or three things in your life that you are thankful for. Include a description of why.
Have a conversation - yes it might have to be by phone or online - with someone to tell them what you are grateful for.
Find a way to show your thankfulness to someone in your life no matter how small the gesture is.
Stop and relfect on the three exercises above and promise yourself that you will complete an act of thankfulness every week.
Research backed information shows that maintaining your own well-being and building connections with others is especially important during this difficult time.
Remember that our mental, emotional and social health needs are profoundly important. Humans have suffered throughout the ages. When we are contained (read "lockdown") we yell for freedom. "Let me be! I need space" Don't tell me what to do!"
But when we have too much freedrom and we feel alone and adrift we become fearful. "Hold me close. I need to feel safe!"
Today our socail structure are profoundly altered or even completely gone. It is normal to feel lost when our old "structures" are gone. We have to design new structures that give us sanity, well-being, and safety.
So this Thanksgiving remind yourself of the need to:
1. MOVE! It isn't just staying in shape it is also building your immune system and maintaining your mental health.
2. EAT WELL. How do you set up a structure so that you are filling yourself with nourishing foods? Learn to cook, teach your kids to cook, try new recipes, structure time into your day for this action, and more. PS That doesn't mean you can't enjoy a small treat (my friend caramels).
3. CONNECT. Reach out to another person. Are you waiting for an old friend to call you? Maybe they aren't strong enough now to do so. Ask if you can talk? Tell the truth about how you are feeling. Human attention is very needed and we all can share that in our own corner of the world.
4. Just BE. With all the coping, caring, protecting, adjusting, redoing - need time to just let yourself BE. Pause long enough to feel. However it works for you - meditate (I so wish I could do that), yoga, watch silly TV, run....whatever works for you.
It is Thanksgiving week. Time to reflect. Time to pause. Time to make choices.
Yes, I hate all the new lingo - socially distanced probably pulls me apart the most - but we are in this together.
You have much to be thankful for. I know that I have much to be thankful for .
Pick the exercises that work for you and concentrate on doing a few on a regular basis. It is "crazy time".
Be thankful that you could read this post. Be thankful that you have food. Be thankful that you are able to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Time to be thankful!
