Staying Calm within the COVID-19 Storm

During this most difficult time stress, anxiety and fear may be increasing within ourselves and in those around us. I would like to share some of the wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga to help you reduce your stress while increasing your vitality and immunity.  Here are some practices to get you started.

- Of course, follow the CDC guidelines of washing your hands, practicing social distancing and not touching your face.  
 
-Practice, or discover anew, meditation and mindfulness.  These help you stay more centered and instill calmness and equanimity.  If you are new to meditation, start with 10 minutes, twice a day, simply sitting quietly and observing your thoughts.  You can practice mindfulness 24/7.  
 
-Stay positive. When you notice you are stuck in a negative mind set, focus on the breath instead.  Follow it in and follow it out, repeat; it’s as simple as that.  Choose a word or phrase to give the mind something to rest on.  I often use “breathe in calm, breathe out smile”.
 
        “Breathing in, I calm my body.  Breathing out, I smile.  Dwelling in the present moment, I know   this is a wonderful moment.”     -From ‘Being Peace’, by Thich Nhat Hanh.
 
-Smile, even if you don’t feel like it.  If your body smiles, it calms the mind.  Try it right now.  Better yet, smile at someone else.
 
-Your diet is of utmost importance.  Bad food choices create toxins, and toxins give a virus a place to grow in.  Avoid any food that is heavy and difficult to digest -including any kind of sugar and processed foods, milk and cheese, and heavier meats.  Pizza is not your friend.
 
-Eat light, easy to digest foods such as vegetable soups and broths. Kitchari is very cleansing.  Drink a lot of hot teas such as ginger and lemon, chai (without caffeine) and tulsi. A tea made with equal parts cumin, coriander and fennel seeds is also excellent, especially if you add a bit of chopped ginger to it. If you do not have anything to make a tea, even sipping hot water is good.
 
-Eat mindfully and focus on your food.  Chew your food a lot to help with your digestion.  Eat less than you think you need.  Allow at least five hours between meals.
 
-Limit your screen time. You won’t find any answers by surfing for hours or watching the news continuously.  Use the time to do something positive, something you enjoy, to lift your spirits.
 
-Excercise, consistently, but gently. Walk, stretch, dance, yoga; whatever feels good.
 
-Go to bed before 10 p.m. and get up with the sun.  If you are not used to doing this, it may seem tough, but after a week or two you’ll notice you are resting more and it becomes easier.
 
-Come from a place of love rather than a place of fear you will benefit not only yourself but all those that you come in contact with.  
 
Remember, you are not your body, you are not your mind; you are Pure Awareness.
 
Sending you love and light and well-being,
Shivani