Everyone is feeling it; the uncertainty, the stress, the sadness, the overwhelm, and even the fear. These are definitely not isolated to any one person. We, as a whole, are feeling these and many other emotions, together. 

Today, I had a great messenger conversation with one of my mentors and trust me, I needed a great conversation. I, like many others have been searching for the positive amidst all of the negative, and was thankful to have found it. It was literally like a drink in the desert and wow, I was thirsty.

We spoke about many things surrounding the current global situation but we focussed mainly on how people are going to get through this. Not around it. Not over it. But THROUGH it. That is the only way to go.

It is my desire to help however I can, and so I wanted to share with you what you can do to help yourself through this situation. So much of this is out of our control and that is one of the hardest aspects. Navigating through it will require controlling what we can control and doing our best to let go of what we can’t.

There are many more to this list but here are five things you CAN do, that will help you now....

Be Thankful - I’ve seen so many great posts and memes about gratitude and one of them talked about Anne Frank and how long she was in hiding for. Another mentioned war times and how we are simply being called to sit on our couch. Obviously, there are so many situations that are much worse than what we are currently facing and for that, it’s important to be thankful. I’m not downplaying the seriousness here but I am saying that we really do have so much to be thankful for and this includes our home, our loved ones, our medical system and all the front line workers who risk their health to help us with ours. Practicing gratitude is proven to increase the happy hormones in our brain and right now, we need all the happy we can get. Be thankful for today.

Relax - Being able to calm down is a coping skill we all need right now. For the first few days of this crisis I found myself having a hard time relaxing and even taking a full deep breath. We all respond to stress differently but tend to store it within our body. I forced myself to do a 20 minute stretch session because I knew I needed to relax. My mood improved, my body loosened up, I could breath again and I felt so much calmer. Everyone relaxes differently. Whatever that looks like for you, now is the time to do it. Laugher, prayer, yoga, dancing, a warm bath, 5 minutes of belly breathing, a socially distanced walk, a few minutes spent watering plants, watching a movie; do whatever relaxes you and do it every single day!

Exercise - You already know that it’s good for you. Your body will get stronger, your mind less stressed and your heart and lungs healthier but did you know that just 20 minutes of heart pumping, sweaty exercise is proven to boost your immune system? Now more than ever we all need to exercise to keep the body strong inside and out. For an amazing FREE online exercise program visit www.strongertogetherchallenge.ca. Remember it doesn't have to be big to be good for you - every little bit counts. Exercise to get and stay healthy.

Fuel Well - You have full control over what you eat, and guess what? What you eat matters! Now is not the time to over consume sugar, processed foods, alcohol or caffeine. Reaching for these things tend to be coping mechanisms and they are not going to be what keeps your immune system strong. Now is the time to up your fruit and veggie intake, increase your water consumption, take your daily multi-vitamin (Shaklee!) and eat a well, balanced, healthy diet. Food is not just fuel, it’s medicine meant to keep you at your best and during challenging times, being at your best is important. Up those healthy foods now!

Focus on Today -  Take all of this one day at a time. If you’re a bible reader like me, you’ll remember the verse that says, “Worry not for tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself.” I know this can be much easier said than done, especially if you’re like my close friend who just lost her job, or my loved one who is currently in the hospital receiving blood transfusions for an ongoing health challenge she has had, but if you do your best to focus on today, and take all of this just one day, and one step at a time, it will help to ease the worry and angst that comes when we try to look at the days and weeks ahead. Today is the day that needs your attention and effort.

We’ve been given the gift of slowing down and working together. Though we cannot control the outcome, the duration, and so so much more, we can control our reaction to it and my hope is that your reaction will be one of peace, gratitude, self care and love for one another. 

When all of this is over, we will appreciate so much more the company of others, hugs from friends, an exercise session at our favorite studio and the laugher over a wonderful dinner out. Until then, remind yourself of two very important facts; we can face this together and this will not be forever. Control what you can and take that next step, not over it, not around it but THROUGH it. 

I will see you on the other side.

Much love to you.

Yours in health,

Alison Brown & your team at New U Personal Training Studio www.newustudio.ca & The Switch Project  helping busy moms live healthy, online: www.theswitchfitness.co