We are all trying to lead calm and healthy lives, but let’s face it folks, sometimes the poop emoji hits the fan. So, fear tries to creep into our daily routine and take control of the wheel, messing up everything in its sight. Poop emoji here, poop emoji there. All the smart choices we want to make go out the window.
I won’t give fear a complete snub. Fear can be useful, sure.
You might find yourself in an extraordinary situation, in the middle of the woods, licking the remnants of a left over jar-o-jam. Unbeknownst to you, a grizzly bear was saving it for himself. His afternoon snack of tea and toast. You thought he was finished. He catches you nose deep in blackberry preserves, and yeah, fear will help you hightail it out of there. But, in the mundane rituals of the day, fear, the little bugger…not so helpful.
Effects of Fear
When we are being led by fear, it’s like this nagging crotchety old man, in the back of our mind, that won’t just-put-a-sock in it.
Fear will make your muscles tight, especially the shoulders, neck and back. It will age you about 10 years, scrunching your face up into a prune, (because somehow we think it helps to over express ourselves) and sprout white hair out of top of your head like a freshly grown fern.
Dealing with Fear
So, how can we deal with fear when it just won’t go away?
First, recognize that you have fear.
Take a moment to stop and check in.
Ask yourself. “How do feel right now?” How is my mind, my breath, my body? Go ahead, check in. I’ll wait…
If you recognize that you have fear, it’s ok. Don’t deny it. Acknowledge how you feel.
Know that it is a normal thing, that everyone feels this way sometimes, and be kind to yourself about it. When you recognize fear in your mind and act ok with it, it allows you to feel present and will eventually calm you because you are not trying to fight it.
Getting Calm
A great way to get calm in your mind and body is of course . . . I’m gonna say it . . . here it comes . . .YOGA!
One of my students came to me after my YMCA yoga class, this was before they shut all gyms, and said, “Thank you so much for giving me an hour where I didn’t think about it.”
Dudes, the power of YOGA is real! Check out what my YMCA posted about exercise.
- Exercise causes an increase in the circulation of antibodies and white blood cells, which your body uses to fight diseases and help to detect and fight off illnesses .
- This outbreak can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety. Reducing your stress can help to prevent illnesses. Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins which in turn reduces stress.
- Exercise can contribute to more sound and restful sleep, which is essential for the body’s restorative processes and will help to boost immunity function.” ~Meadowlands YMCA
PRACTICE YOGA
I share with you, this inspired yoga practice I created, to help you calm your nerves, and invite a strong mind, body and spirit.
You can do this practice everyday. It does not use up much of your time to make a conscious effort towards your health.
A Holistic Aproach
Yoga is one way for us to calm our nerves and keep our selves healthy during times of fear and uncertainty. However, I also feel that we have to deal with this holistically.
For more information on a holistic approach to your health during our current state check out this blog post by Maria E Garre, M.Ed, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500.
Maria E Garre is an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner, Prana Flow Yoga Teacher, and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist.
Smile
Reminder that a smile is just as warm as a hug! You can even send yourself love by smiling. Why, you can also hug yourself!
There doesn’t have to be a specific reason to bring a smile to your face, like a birthday or holiday, you can smile just to invite joy into your life.
Often I walk around my house just smiling for no reason, except that I want to feel and share joy. Then my daughter looks at me strangely, which I’m fine with.
Of course our current situation shouldn’t be taken lightly. We should definitely take the proper precautions to keep healthy and safe.
This moment is a reminder for humanity to connect through the power of love, kindness and strength of mind. Stay calm, be healthy, and take care of yourself.
Also, be kind to those around you!
Keep Calm and Healthy!
Namaste Beautiful Friends!
So important to keep healthy while at home 🙂 I haven’t quite gotten to the point of self-isolating yet (kids still go to school in the UK!) but am staying inside as much as I can…
I am not into Yoga but I think I must consider this exercise as I can do much of this at home most especially this time that I need to stay at home because corona virus.
First of all, thank you for this amazing blog you have for us. It’s definitely a great help and idea on doing something which will benefit us while staying inside our home.
Wonderful post!!!! I love you woman!
Fear can really cripple you and even make you sick. We all need to stay sane and keep calm. It’s a scary time but we need to survive this.
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger and help u to stay physically healthy as well.
I love doing yoga when I’m stressed or anxious. Or really any time! It’s such a great way to move your body at home!
Thanks so much for sharing this at-home exercise routine! So important to stay healthy ALL the time. This is such a great resource! Thank you!
yoga and all types of exercise sure are big stress relievers right now! These are scary times
It is good to have some healthy living tips for being at home for so long. I would like to get into a good routine since we are already starting to feel the effects of cabin fever.
Exercise while cooped up at home is so important to your emotional well being too. I have been forcing myself to get on the treadmill and do 30 minutes of HIIT. incorporating yoga next week.
Thank you for this blog. I have seen your different post and poses. This is very nice and inspiring.
Yes, as well all now due to Corona many of us are working from home. And trust me I started doing yoga and I am feeling very relaxed.
Your posture really imbibes peace and fitness, working at the same time. Isn’t it amazing?
It is hard to keep calm and not worry during these difficult times. The situation changes from one day to another, jobs are lost, income is slashed. It’s hard but important to keep healthy. A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind as well.
I am not really scared about the coronavirus, I am more at peace right now because I don’t have work. But, I been doing yoga a lot because of no work!
I take it as mandatory moment to stop and recharge. I practice yoga and meditation and try to find joy in stalled environment
We’re doing Ashtanga yoga every day for about 1 hour and it is helping us a lot to stay focused and calm. We’re getting used to our daily routine, it is not that bad.
Thanks so much for this! This is definitely an unsettling/stressful time for a lot of people!
This is definitely helpful. I am getting back on yoga lately. Hopefully, I will be able to do it on a regular basis.
The best I have found from not letting fear get into my head is to stay off social media and the news. Instead I am cleaning the house and doing stuff that I’ve been putting off for so long.
Such a great article for this week! I’ve been exercising this week and was lucky enough to get in a few runs outside which is good for my soul.
I plan on doing all kinds of yoga during this time. Thank you for posting because this is what I do what to do.
We are all together in this! But practicing yoga will certainly bring peace and stability in these trying times.
Thank you for this holistic approach – I am really so appreciative of the positive perspective! Staying focused and grounded is essential to getting through this. I am absolutely going to try out your yoga video this evening!
Thank you for the reminder. You are right. Times like this we need to remain calm and healthy.
Yep I need to restart my yoga practice. Will do so next week when we’re officially on “spring break.”
You are definitely right about how fear can negatively impact the body. I love to do Yoga when I’m stressed, and I’m practicing a meditative movement program right now. Can’t wait to try one of your videos!
We do yoga everyday and have just started doing #sharethesilly just to ring some smiles😊
Cabin fever has been a major topic around our house. And I have 4 kids on the edge of going crazy. We did Yoga this morning and it was so calming, relaxing, and it helped them center themselves. These tips are incredibly helpful for Yoga beginners! Thanks for sharing I needed this today!
I love reading about healthy articles at home. I’m still trying to do yoga today because I stay at home for quarantine 🙂 thanks to this!
Great suggestions for these trying times.
It’s definitely scary, but staying calm is so important right now!
It’s scary, yes. I fear that I might not meet my family at all. But I know, these are the times when we need to keep as much calm and positive as we can
I have more than enough time now to practice yoga. I will be trying it today!
Great advice! i do think of this time as of necessary pause in my life. all for the better not matter how much I hate it
Those are great tips – it is indeed very important to stay calm at the moment 🙂
Some pretty good ideas here. Thanks for sharing.
Starting Monday I am working on my headstand. How long do you think it will take me to master it.
This was so beautiful! My mother inspired me to begin with yoga and this was my first time trying it.
I’ve been feeling very lost lately and I didn’t think that my body and mind would react so strong to this.
Exercising is an important part of dealing with stress. I enjoy a good workout and yoga for stress relief, especially in times like these.
So many good tips on how to stay happy and healthy at home during this time. I love doing yoga when I am feeling stressed.
Keeping calm is very important right now! I want to do at home yoga.
Superb pose. Now Iam a regular viewer of your blog.
Love your attitude and your perseverance with yoga. I hope I can have even the tiniest passion to pursue yoga.