5 top tips to help you stay grounded
The world feels pretty overwhelming right now and with so much uncertainty it can be hard to think straight. But maintaining a sense of ‘normality’ can be really helpful in terms of your mindset, your resilience and your productivity. When we connect with normality, things feel a little bit easier again.
I want to share a few of the things that are helping me navigate these anxious and uncharted waters in the hope that they might help you too.
1. Disconnect with fear and find a thought that feels better.
Elizabeth Gilbert shared a super easy grounding exercise on Instagram a few days ago. Let go of any fear you might be sticking to and bring yourself back to this moment right now. Look at your current surroundings and name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
If EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is more your thing, my favourite, Brad Yates has shared videos all about dealing with outbreak fear and being quarantined. One of the best ways to boost your immune system is to reduce your stress levels so tapping away negative energy and feelings of stress helps.
2. Moderate your news intake and make sure your news comes from a reputable source.
It’s on every news channel, on every front page and all over social media. It’s good to be clued up on what’s happening and how this might impact you and your business but notice how you feel when you engage with the news and take a break from it if it gets overwhelming. For me that looks like listening to a short radio news bulletin once a day as well as being careful not to fall down a social media rabbit hole. Be aware that for some people talking about the current situation might be helpful, but for others it might be triggering. Check in with those who might feel particularly anxious or overwhelmed.
3. Look after yourself.
Enough sleep, good food, and plenty of water. At times like this it’s important to look after your most basic needs as these have a knock-on effect on everything else. If you’re taking care of yourself with good nourishment and enough sleep, not only will you be able to face the coming days and weeks with greater clarity, your immune system will also be significantly stronger.
4. How can you use this time most effectively?
Your world may have turned upside down with school closures, working from home and looking out for vulnerable members of your family. You might feel like you’re trying to spin a few too many plates just now. But how we use our time is everything, it’s time to really engage that entrepreneurial mind to help us look at the problems we’re facing and come up with solutions. If the bulk of your work is compromised by the current situation, then maybe now is a good time to move away from ‘fulfilling’ and more into ‘managing’ and focus on those tasks that are to do with the management of your business.
Perhaps you could spend time finally redoing your website, nailing your social media calendar for the next month, or writing content for your email newsletter. Maybe you could start planning that book you’ve always dreamed of writing, or catch up with the ever-growing list of ‘to read’ books! Protect your time and set boundaries with loved ones if you need to and never underestimate the power of routine!
5. Look for the positives and the good in life. Practise gratitude and find ways to feel better now.
“Keep looking where the light pours in.” - Morgan Harper Nichols
Lastly, always look for the positives, there’s so much to be grateful for. If you’re struggling to find something, then go back to the most simple of things - the blue sky, the fresh air, the birds singing in the morning, the spring flowers that continue to bloom.
What helps you to relax? Is it listening to music, reading, walking your beautiful dog, engaging with podcasts that inspire you, playing board games with your family? Whatever it is, do it. Do it often. Soak it all up.
This is a weird time for everyone, but there’s power on connection and common understanding. And remember, us humans are adaptable, we’re problem-solvers, we’re team players, we’re uplifters, we’re helpers, we’re resourceful, we’re resilient, and we’re in this together.