Finding Balance Amidst a Crisis

When I got home from a run with my dog this morning, my wife (who is 6.5 months pregnant with our second child), was in the middle of a virtual yoga class.  As I walked in the door, I overheard the instructor telling the class that each woman needed to remember that their current pregnancy experience is different from any previous pregnancy, from their friends' pregnancies and from their family members' pregnancies.  This made me pause and then I realized that the same principle applies to the way we each process a crisis.   

Therefore, to help each of you process this crisis in the manner that works best for you, we wanted to send a different note today.  We encourage you to ask yourself the following questions and then use the resources below to create a routine to maintain a healthy balance in your life.

Questions to Ask Yourself

•  How are you feeling?
•  Is there anything your family and friends can do to help you?
•  What type of information is most useful for you right now?
•  What questions are on your mind that you most want answered?

Ideas and Resources

1. TURN OFF THE NEWS: The spin cycle of modern news can be overwhelming.  Give yourself a break from the constant negativity to help rejuvenate your spirits.

2. 3 MINUTE MINDFULNESS: There are a number of resources online to help you relax but one of the best options we have seen is this simple YouTube video where you spend 3 minutes following the cues to control your breathing.  Just slowing your breathing down and focusing on the inhale and exhale is a great way to relax your mind.  Many professional athletes do this before competition to clear their head and it may work for you too.   

3. WRITE DOWN YOUR STRESSES: Take a pen and paper and start writing whatever comes to mind.  This can be a great way to remove stressful thoughts from your head, which can leave you feeling refreshed.

4. GET OUT OF THE HOUSE: If you are healthy enough to do so, take a long walk, go for a run, do yard work, participate in a virtual yoga class in your back yard or take your kids/pets for a walk.  Physical activity is a great way to release stress and distract your brain.

5. LISTEN TO MUSIC: Pick your favorite genre of music, put on your headphones and spend 30 minutes listening.  Try to step away from the computer and let yourself become immersed in the music.  Again, this is a trick used by professional athletes that may work for you.

6. CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL: There is no shame in talking with an objective third party about your fears, goals and expectations.  Stratus founder Sam Brownell worked with a business mindfulness expert during the first few years of running his company to help alleviate the stresses that come with growing a business.  Websites such as Psychology Today offer interesting articles and the ability to search for professionals in your area. 

We encourage you to share this information with anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by the current crisis and please feel free to share how you are staying balanced during these trying times.  

Be well and here's to better days ahead.