INTEGRATIVE COACHING SERVICES
TRE WORKSHOP
Pilates on ZOOM
What does your personal space look like right now?
Personal space is something we may have taken for granted before being ‘in lockdown’ with a loved one, or especially a whole family, and thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we may still have a long way to go before normal social interaction becomes a reality.
Some people are known to start laughing out loud when asked “What does your personal space look like right now?” If that laughter has a hysterical ring to it, perhaps you need to closely examine a few ways that you can deal with the stress of close personal interactions.
Serving the self serves others
We are, by nature, both social and sometimes intensely private beings. This is actually a healthy balance and probably what you most need to try to sustain and practice at this time.
Don’t ignore the importance of interacting with those around you and in fact if you’re a family person treasure this as a chance to possibly get closer than ever to loved ones. Explore each other’s likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams and enjoy the extra time you have to do it.
On the other hand, you really need to make some personal space as the lack of it can greatly exacerbate the stress you and those close to you may be feeling right now. Creating this private space should not be thought of as selfish either, as it will serve others too!
Stress management techniques
There are a few basic stress management techniques that can be followed at these times, and in fact at any time…
Live a healthy lifestyle
Stress, like many other things can be a result of poor dietary habits or substance abuse. Apart from the sensibility of simply eating well and putting the right things into your body, there are certain things that create a sense of calmness. Just one example is the wide range of soothing teas that can be sipped on throughout the day like chamomile tea – a great favourite. Avoid agitants like too much alcohol and caffeine.
Exercise on a regular basis is essential and in particular movements that induce a sense of calmness like Pilates and a series of exercises that release stress and trauma known as TRE. These can be practiced even in lockdown and, as we phase ourselves back to normality, long relaxing walks or jogs are good too. If possible, do these alone though, as it is one way to regain some personal space.
Be creative
One great way to create personal space is to have creative projects or hobbies. Gardening or painting, art, dance and playing or listening to any form of soothing music are also good examples.
Do whatever you feel can make you grow – like reading, studies, or do any form of self-improvement in whatever ‘me’ time you can manage. Feeling better about yourself is one of the best ways to build tolerance for others!
Centering techniques to neutralise anxiety
A great way to reduce anxiety in any kind of stressful situation is through breath control – taking long measured breaths to relax oneself. Another is to do meditation. Again focus on the breathing to clear the mind.
Another centering technique is visualisation. Particularly when many of us may be holed up in less than desirable surroundings, think about that special place you would like to be. Do this whilst meditating or when taking a long leisurely hot bath.
Nurturing the self is liberating
Self and more, through many body, mind and soul practices, assist you to relive stress and trauma. All these are available, without being compromised, or having any less value, online.
Contact me to learn more – I’m here for you, particularly in these extraordinary times when we are facing such unusual challenges. Whatever your personal space looks like right now, I can assist you to cope better and come out of this situation stronger than ever before – Take care of yourself – and especially – be safe!
Pilates on ZOOM
Coping with stress and trauma in isolation
Coping with stress and trauma in isolation
Even though we are said to be slowly phasing ourselves back towards normality after the Coronavirus lockdown, it will be some time before we will experience total freedom and normal social interaction.
This whole lockdown thing just got me to thinking about isolation in general. COVID-19 and the ensuing strict employment of social distancing has served to remind us that there are millions of people who live all the time with isolation through loneliness.
An eye opening report
I don’t have exact figures on the extent of this issue in South Africa, but one thing for sure is that loneliness is global. The Kaiser Family Foundation, in partnership with The Economist, conducted a survey of adults in the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan which included interviews and looked at some of the causes of isolation through loneliness and how people are coping.
What it revealed
According to the report, “more than a fifth of adults in the United States (22 percent) and the United Kingdom (23 percent) as well as one in ten adults (nine percent) in Japan say they often or always feel lonely, feel that they lack companionship, feel left out, or feel isolated from others, and many of them say their loneliness has had a negative impact on various aspects of their life.”
These are significant and disturbing percentages, reminding us that isolation was not the invention of COVID-19 and neither will it just go away post the pandemic. What the pandemic has done however, is exacerbate these isolation through loneliness statistics, by adding enforced isolation through restricted social distancing!
Lockdown is a reminder of restricted space
We tend to return to a childlike state when faced with restricted space. Remember that this is a favourite punishment for many parents who feel that it is better to spare the rod and simply send a child to their room, or tell them they are ‘grounded!’
From a very early age therefore we tend to see restricting our space as a punishment and we don’t take kindly to it. We resent being restricted and no doubt the resentment towards this COVID-19 pandemic ‘punishment’ is palpable. My first word of advice therefore is to accept that lockdown is not punishment, but a form of protection.
Try to focus on the positive aspects of being alone. Think of self-awareness and self-development as being key. Take online classes, read great books, take the walks or jogs when you can in the fresh air and find spiritual fulfilment through meditation and research.
My business is known as ‘Self and more’ because I believe that the growth and nurturing of the self must precede all else. I have online soul searching and self-development programs, so please take advantage of them.
Keep interacting and growing
This does not mean stop interaction with others. Obviously take every opportunity to interact with others within the restrictions of the law. Join an online social organisation, club or business network, set up regular chats with family and friends at appointed times. Remember you can even take effective exercise classes that build body, mind and soul like my online TRE (for trauma release) and Pilates classes.
Isolation through loneliness has been with us for many years, but this enforced isolation is a bitter pill to swallow. Don’t despair though – there are effective ways of coping with stress and trauma in isolation and I’m here for you to help you do it. I’m just a call away – be safe and look after yourself!