Hope

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence ~ Lin Yutang According to the famed hope researcher C.R. Snyder, hope implies that there is the possibility of a better future. Hope is needed in the darker days of our lives to keep us going. If we can see a little glimmer of light, we can summon more strength and courage to keep going. Being hopeful can easily be shut down by friends or family that don't share your viewpoint, they may say you are being passive or your head is in the clouds, but it's actually quite the opposite. Hope is actually not so passive, it requires a union of the mind and spirit to commit to positivity and a course of action to make and implement change. Research indicates that hope can help us manage stress and anxiety and cope with adversity. It contributes to our well-being and happiness and motivates positive action. Hopeful people believe they can influence their goals, that their efforts can have a positive impact. They are also more likely to make healthy choices to eat better or exercise, or do the other things that will help them move toward what they are hoping for. You can cultivate hope through seeking awe, like going for a hike in nature and marvelling at the natural beauty. Immediately, that will put your mind in a new frame and make it easy to be hopeful. Certain music, movies have the power to do that as well, when you realise how big the world is. Understand what you learned from all things that did not go according to plan or may have hurt you. We usually learn more of who we are when we realise things that we do not want. In fact, knowing what we don't want makes it easier to know what we do want. Being positive all the time is not a good idea either as it is like being addicted to cocaine, it will not end well. How hopeful are you?

Get off tech to build immunity

Nurture your body now. Though it is important to be an informed citizen, constantly watching the news and people's status updates about the current situation can breed fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety are normal to an extent, but after a certain threshold, they weaken our immune system. Please note that everyone’s threshold is a bit different. Listen to yourself and your own triggers. Now is the time to be taking care of yourself in every way possible. Limit your exposure to screens! I have mentioned proper rest in a few of my posts. When I talk about rest, that includes resting your mind. You can help by playing soothing, soft music and closing your eyes. If you are suffering from anxiety, make sure to eat easily digestible foods right now, as your Stomach and Spleen may be in overdrive. Overthinking or worrying is like digesting the same thought over and over again. Yes, your digestion not only breaks down food, but thoughts and everything you ingest mentally. Steamed veggies with some olive oil on top and a cup of congee or baked protein with some sautéed leafy greens in garlic and ginger are meals that can be easily broken down as well as nutritious. Mindfully cooking can also help to calm the mind. Make sure to eat breakfast! News, emails, social media, etc, can be a fearful place. Instead of focusing on fear, focus on gratitude. As you read this, there are thousands of people who sacrifice their own health and safety to protect ours. This sacrifice is a beautiful gift of faith and the absolute beauty of the human spirit. Take a really long moment to really feel, I mean really feel, the gratitude and compassion for these people all around the world. I wouldn't be surprised if a wonderful feeling echoed throughout your entire body while feeling this. Give them thanks. Let that feeling permeate outward to the entire world, smile, feel love for every single human out there.. (yes, every single one!). It’s been said that when we begin to heal the suffering within ourselves, we can help heal the suffering of the world. Stay peaceful, stay healthy.