Practicing Self-care When Everything Is Uncertain
THIS ARTICLE APPEARED ON THRIVE GLOBAL | APRIL 14, 2021 | BY Hannah McCauley
How these female leaders control what they can while hunkering down at home.
In today’s hustle culture, you’ve likely heard (and hopefully experienced!) the importance of practicing self-care. Whether your method of choice involves meditating, going for a run, journaling, or anything in between — it’s essential to have rhythms in place to maintain a healthy balance.
As we’ve all experienced in the recent weeks, there’s now a new challenge to overcome — not just COVID-19, but uncertainty of the future. For the majority of the world, it’s not clear what our new normal will look like. When even the experts are stumped, that can be reason enough to throw in the self-care towel and dwell on the negative.
Instead of allowing fear to take over during this time of uncertainty, I tapped into the Dreamers // Doers network and asked these powerhouse women about the methods of self-care they’ve used to get through tough times.
Their eclectic responses taught me that, while we may need to get a bit creative for the foreseeable future, there are endless ways we can continue taking care of ourselves—from the safety of our homes, of course.
Have you used any of these methods? What would you add to this list?
Connect virtually over food
“I have been cooking a storm! I’m taking the time to really think about each meal and ensure that we are all eating mindfully. Plus, I’m using technology to have shared mealtimes with family, friends, and colleagues. Food is a wonderful way to connect—to your kids, your roommate, yourself. Take this time to get back in the kitchen and work together to make a meal. So much happens in the kitchen.”
—Michal Levison, Founder, Seasoned Moments
Play time management video games
“The way I turn off and let my brain zone out from my to-do list as an entrepreneur is by playing time management video games where you are a female entrepreneur and must complete virtual to do lists—think you run a salon and need to get everyone through the pedicure process, or you’re a stewardess and you have to make sure everyone gets neck pillows! It might sound crazy but I think of things like this, or putting together a puzzle, like a chew toy for my very active mind.”
—Alex Cooley, Founder, AC Electric
Utilize acupressure and controlled breathing
“I use two techniques that are freely available to anyone, anywhere, which balance the body’s nervous system while tapping into its innate healing capabilities: acupressure and controlled breathing. When I notice the physical manifestations of stress in my body, acupressure activates and helps to reduce those feelings by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol levels. When I can’t stop my brain from returning to unpleasant thoughts, controlling my breath redirects my focus and taps into the parasympathetic nervous system which is where relaxation and healing occur. Try inhaling for a count of six and exhaling for a count of eight; repeat until you feel better!”
—Stefanie DiLibero, Founder, Gotham Wellness
Join a live group meditation
“My friend Ysiad Ferreiras has been hosting hour-long Zoom calls two times a day. I’m part of the evening crew which normally follows a format of general catch up/check in, followed by a few meditation exercises and closes with dedicated time for gratitude journaling. He shows up for every call even if just one person shows up or if it is more! I have never been one to meditate or journal regularly, but I have found the group to serve as a form of much needed accountability and routine during this uncertain time. I use this group call as a way to wind down from the day.
—Tiffany Yu, Founder & CEO, Diversability
Focus on your physical, emotional, and spiritual state
“I start my day by running for about three miles daily on the treadmill while listening to powerful motivational messages. This is followed by a time of meditation and prayers. This simple set of activities helps me start my day physically, emotionally, and spiritually charged, ready to take on the new day.”
—Julia Olayanju, CIO, GrubEasy Interactive
Get out into nature
“We have an au pair who is now stuck at home with three kids all day and cannot leave the house. I give her a break and my mind a break each day by taking the kids on a hike. I cannot say enough about the importance of being in nature, having the sun on your face, and having fun with your kids, not worrying about the future.”
—Kate Anderson, Co-Founder & Operations, iFundWomen
Move your body/dance
“In particularly tough moments or days (times that I’ve wondered if I would ever feel normal again!) dancing and body movement has managed to bring me back to a parasympathetic state, which in turn creates space for some logical, optimistic thinking about the present moment and the future. It’s only from that place that I can begin to see the value in whatever uncertain circumstances are at hand and set off on a momentum of joy and expansion, rather than fear and contraction.”
—Teresa Bigelow, Founder, Spiral5