In it together: 3 ways yoga can help you deal with coronavirus stress
Pandemics, social distancing, recession, supermarket shortages - this is a stressful time, and it can be difficult to know exactly what to do. The threat of not having enough sends us into fight/flight, and the reminder that we are not in total control can be too much to handle. Here I share 3 ways that yoga practice and philosophy can help you manage stress and tension at this time and help you wake up to the fundamental truth that we are in this together.
Stay present
Why: It might sound like a trite piece of advice, but staying present is a very powerful way to cope with the stresses of life. The mind is always thinking, usually somewhere in the past or somewhere in the future. This can be really useful - reflecting and understanding the past can help us resolve old traumas and learn new lessons, and planning and daydreaming about the future can help us create a better world for us all - but when we let the mind run wild then it can get the better of us and lead us to feelings of anxiety and depression. The more we can learn to tame the mind, the more it becomes an instrument rather than the conductor, and with patient practice and persistent effort, we can start to access another layer of being, that which is often known as source, presence, God, universe or essence. This connection with something beyond cannot be found through thought but through experience. The more we can practice presence, the more we can start to awaken to a much bigger picture, and this awareness can help us navigate the stresses of daily life with more ease.
How: My favourite way to become present is to return to my body and my breath. Sit or lie quietly, and become aware of your body. Notice muscle tensions, notice where your attention wanders. You’re not looking for anything in particular, rather just becoming aware of the amazing multi-sensory awareness that lies within your body. One of my favourite breathing techniques is to breathe in for four, hold for four, breath out for four, hold for four. You can look at a window whilst doing this, and trace the four edges of the window as you do it. If you’re feeling too stressed or overwhelmed to do this yourself, check out my yoga nidras, all available for free at the Yoga Nidra Network.
Avoid too much news and social media
Why: This one might be obvious. Technology has given us access to information in a way like never before. We can sit in front of the TV, scrolling through our phones, talking to our colleagues or family all at the same time, taking into many different opinions and thoughts all at once. Whilst we can feel like it’s important to stay well informed and up to date, it’s unlikely we really need to check Facebook every ten minutes. In yoga philosophy there is a concept called aparigraha, which translates loosely as meaning non-grasping. I think social media is an ultimate form of grasping, and so reducing our intake can help the mind to become less saturated, and, as in point one, stay more present.
How: Set yourself a realistic goal. You might decide to check social media and the latest news once in the morning and one again at night. Before you go on social media, ask yourself why, what do you hope to achieve and how do you expect to feel. Then notice how you actually feel once you’ve checked, and if you’re actually gained anything useful from it. Consider turning off notifications from apps and take back control over when you check in. And choose a time when you turn your mind away from the busy outer world, and bring your attention closer to home (which leads me nicely to point 3…)
Relax
Why: As many of you reading this will know, I am an advocate of deep and conscious rest. I completely understand the threat of financial insecurity - as a self-employed person I have been immediately affected by the coronavirus from a work perspective, if, thankfully, not a health perspective. However, there are already benefits for the environment (see this CNN article here). OK, potential economic problems and a possible public health crisis might not be the idea way to deal with climate change, but despite the short term insecurity we face, there is a chance this could be beneficial at preventing future chaos caused by climate change. Resting at home, consuming less, being more mindful about how we use our resources - all of these things can actually be rewarding if taking with a mindset of choice. Look for areas where you do have choice and make a decision. Try not to panic about getting it right or wrong - the truth is, we don’t know yet - but the act of choosing can help you feel empowered in an otherwise fearful situation. And prioritise a daily practice of relaxation as much as you prioritise having food in the cupboard. It’s not going to make the problem go away, but it can help us all respond. Relaxing is good for your immune system, helps reduce body tension and can leave you feeling better able to respond to situations rather than react.
How: Restorative yoga is perfect for reducing stress and tension in the body and the mind. Lying with your legs up against the wall is a good fatigue-busting and will help your exhale to naturally becoming longer, thus reducing fight/flight. Reading a good fiction, speaking to a trusted friend (who is unlikely to be panicking), having a bath, getting to bed early, giving yourself a massage - anything that helps you return to your body and reduce tension. Keep an eye out for my offerings to help you relax and unwind at home.
Remember, we are all in this together. Never more has the world felt like a global village, and whilst this can feel terrifying it ultimately offers us the opportunity to wake up to the idea that we have to work together, support one another and move away from greed and scarcity mindset that leads to panic buying and shortages. If you have any other tips or ideas or share, please do in the comments below.