Concentrate on what is important to us and what we can control

This year started out promising and full of hope. How quickly things turned south! On January 12th my life changed forever with the sudden passing of my beloved father. And while I went underground to come to terms with my loss and process my grief, the outside world underwent major changes. When I emerged, I discovered a world panic buying toilet paper and in lockdown due to the covid-19 pandemic.

As we are faced with finding a new way to live, I have come to realise that self-care is key. With so many things outside of our control, all we can do is live fully in the moment, concentrate on what is important to us and finding new ways to care for our own health and wellbeing.

Working from home, gyms closed, limitations on how many people we can socialise with - These are all limitations that are outside of our control.  But we can take more care with our physical health and cover our sneezes; wear face masks to avoid the airborne particles; wipe down surfaces before and after we use them; use hand sanitiser (followed by moisturiser to avoid dry cracked skin); adhering to the social distancing guidelines as directed by the government; eating immune system boosting foods and drinking plenty of water; Taking regular exercise by walking, bike riding, playing handball, setting up a home gym, joining online exercise classes; Have a regular bedtime; and spend time in the sun for our daily vitamin D fix.

Some ideas you might like to try to take care of your mental and emotional health include taking enjoying hobbies such as puzzles, jigsaws, crosswords, knitting, sewing, painting; meditating; taking aromatherapy baths; reading; Photography; and writing.

So, no matter what curveball life throws at us, when we concentrate on what is important to us and what we can control, we can make it through the roughest of seas and ride the waves of life.

Kind regards,

              Penelope Espinoza Hallett, Naturopath

              BHsc (C.M.) AdvDip. Nat/N.D, Dip. Aroma, Dip. C.H., Cert. R.M., Cert. R.M., Cert. SBM, mNHAA