We live in strange, often intense and unpredictable times. Regardless of your direct experience of the pandemic, it is safe to assume we all have experienced big changes, increases in tension or conflict and perhaps even changes to our physical well-being.
The pandemic and all the changes that have come with it certainly are reasons for our bodies and minds to perceive more stress. All of us on some level have experienced forms of loss, uncontrollable changes in our reality, conflict, and a strange new way of living that we need to adjust to in some form or another.
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The other side to the tension, physically and mentally, throughout the pandemic is the unpredictable nature of the majority of our realities. Human nature draws us towards and very much prefers predictability, and when we face unpredictability, our nervous system naturally stays on edge. Over time, chronic alertness, the hyper-vigilance needed to help us prepare for whatever comes next, takes a toll on our bodies. A normally functioning human body is quite adept at managing stress and change, in the short term. When we are faced with long-term stress our systems begin to complain; usually through symptoms like increase in pain, anxiety, tension and many other issues.
A lesson from the pandemic is learning new levels of self-compassion and acknowledging what our bodies may be telling us. You may be experiencing states of lower energy, languishing, higher anxiety, depression and more physical symptoms right now. We are living through a time full of turmoil and change, and on a biological level this speaks to many threats to our well-being, and our bodies are doing what they know how to, to cope and survive.
There are often simple things we can do to assist our bodies during these times. My favourite recommendation is finding simple ways to move in gentle ways. Whether it’s for a minute a few times a day or for longer stints: go for a walk outdoors, spend a moment simply focusing on your breath, add one or two stretches in bed before going to sleep or getting out of bed, or join an online movement group. The less intensity we can add to our systems during this time, the better. The more restorative and nourishing movements or activities we can find, the better.
The most important thing to do if you’re experiencing a perceived change in your well-being is to grant yourself permission to feel worn down or different. Know that it is normal and even expected. Our feelings are directly related to our environments, and will ebb and flow naturally. Things may be like this for now, but they won’t be like this forever.
If you aren’t sure how to manage your current state, it is important to reach out to your doctor, a mental health professional and/or a physical health professional to seek some applicable tools for you to use.
