How to stay calm in a crisis
I am not trying to be ignorant to what is currently going on in the world, especially Europe where I live, and it frustrates me, it affects my travel plans, my business, and my mood,... But I intend to keep this website panic-free, not judging anyone else though who needs to vent (venting can be good too).
I know from my past experiences with chronic disease that everything started to shift when I stopped obsessing and started focusing on the good things. Moreover I want to continue spreading positivity even more so during this time because we really freaking need it right now, more than ever!!! However I am not trying to disrespect anyone, putting anyone down or belittling anyone’s fear, emotions or thoughts. I get it and I see you. Your feelings, emotions, fear and thoughts are valid. To me it just feels better to embrace positivity and to stay calm. I am still healing from chronic disease and I know my nervous system needs a lot of calm vibes in order to stay healthy now.
My tips to staying calm right now are:
IMAGINE YOUR RIOs (= realistic ideal outcome)
Imagining the best realistic outcome instead of worst-case scenarios is something I started after my last surgery when I struggled with a mild form of PTSD for a bit. Back then everything felt too good to be and I couldn’t internally trust it just yet. Imagining the best realistic outcome really helped me to change my perspective.
Ask yourself, what is that best that could happen?
Write it out on a piece of paper on focus on this daily.
Visualize your RIOs during meditation or while still laying in bed.
PRANAYAMA
What many people do not know is that pranayama (or breathing techniques) is one of the main pillars of yoga, next to the movements (=asana). Among other things, pranayama can help to reduce stress and sooth the nervous system.
One easy pranayama exercise (and my personal favorite) is called “the dog’s breath” during this exercise you breath in for 4 counts (deep belly breath, fill your whole belly with air) and breathing out for 8 counts and repeat for at least 10 minutes. If you want to deepen the effects you can try to breath in 4 counts through the nose and breath out 8 counts through the mouth.
When you are panicking your breath gets shallow and you start breathing very quickly into your check. You literally run out of breath. To get back into a calm state it helps to get conscious of your breath again and encourage deep belly breaths. You can also combine this exercise with your daily meditation practice.
WRITE GRATITUDE LISTS
Write down all the things and people you are grateful for, and repeat daily
For instance, I am grateful that everyone I know is safe and healthy.
I am grateful that the skiing trip was cancelled.
POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS
I got introduced to affirmations by Miranda Kerr and Louise Hay about 6 years ago. That’s when my whole yoga and spirituality journey really started. At first I honestly didn’t really get affirmations because my unconscious was rebelling against this whole concept. But it does really work to repeatedly think of your affirmations or even speak them out load. They can change your thought patterns and help you start thinking more positive thoughts.
Some examples might be„I am safe, I am healthy“, or when you feel ill „my healing is already in progress“. Repeat those at least 10 times a day
Side note: I think it works best if you repeat your affirmations in your mother tongue.
Auf deutsch: “Ich bin in Sicherheit. Ich bin gesund.”
BE INFORMED BUT NOT FEARFUL
Remember that you can choose to what news you subscribe to. Also use this time to surround yourself with your loved ones and find other positive subjects to talk about. Don’t buy into this fear and also consciously change the subject when people keep bringing it up.
What I noticed when I was sick is that the moment I stopped thinking, researching and talking about the chronic disease I had everything started to change for the better. So please I’m asking you to keep living your life.
BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
There’s articles online on how to do that. I personally drink a lot of hot lemon water, take turmeric, spirulina, chlorella, probiotics. I work out daily. I go outside for runs. I do yoga, meditate,… the list goes on and do. Maybe start by doing what intuitively feels good to you right in this moment.
