2020 A Different Kind of Year

There has been nothing usual about 2020.

When the coronavirus pandemic shook our lives, we all went into panic mode and pulled together instinctively. Many of us retreated into our shells for a while. Or was it just me?

It is not a secret that Covid-19 has turned our lives upside down, and many people are either out of work or school or working or studying from home. The impact will be long-lasting.

Isolation and loneliness, especially during stressful times, can seriously deteriorate mental health and significantly impact our physical health over time. Consequently, today it's more important than ever to stay connected to family, friends, and love ones.

Now it feels like this pandemic has been the perfect opportunity for us to reevaluate what is truly important and necessary in our lives. This time has led to new working behaviours, belief systems, and ways of connecting to those around us. I am inviting you to hold onto them!

We have been inspired to look at our lives from a different perspective, from showing more

compassion and making changes with intention, to setting new boundaries or rethinking our relationships.

At this point in the pandemic, I encourage everyone to reprioritize ourselves, take care of our loved ones, and cherish our new ways of living by accepting that they serve us better than our old routines, at least for now.

Here is a S.E.T.U.P. that we can use to establish new routines to stay healthy in mind, body and soul.

S – Set boundaries and follow a schedule

E – Eat nutritious foods and supplements

T – Take breaks for stretching, walks, or exercise

U – Use a dedicated work/study area

P – Practice or pursue a hobby you love

Finally, DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK!

Some strategies to help us stay curious:

• Catch worries and the "what-ifs" in your thoughts to identify them. They are just thoughts – name them as "worry," "anxiety," "fear," "sadness," or "loneliness."

• Use reality checking to sort out which thoughts to listen to, and which ones to let go.

Reality checking steps:

• Notice and name it: "worry," "anxiety," "fear," "sadness," or "loneliness."

• Is this true or factual? Even though something is possible, is it probable?

• What parts do I know are true (fact), and what factors might not be correct (factual)?

• What steps can I take? What is in my control?