Hi all!

Just checking in!

I hope you're all doing ok! At least we're having some gorgeous weather to keep the sprits up!

In one way, this whole situation is quite a lesson of learning to live in the present. In my online sessions this week, we've focused a lot at not thinking too far ahead and getting the panicked thoughts fired up. As we know, this heats up the fight, flight, freeze response which tends not to help us make good decisions. Instead, stay in the present. Maybe try an affirmation like, "I can always cope with now."

Another helpful tip is to break the day into 3 parts. Just have a good morning, then, just have a good afternoon... then it's wind down, just have a good evening. This means you just think of keeping thoughts positive for the morning, and think of one positive thing you can do for the morning ... and so on.

To help with just having a good morning :

1. Some of you come to see me in Oscailt and two practitioners have started a morning reflection that you can sign into by zoom. Or you can find the reflections here: Mindfulnesss Courage in Uncertain Times

2. In my some of my other work, making art and cultural accessible to blind and visually impaired people, I've had the pleasure of working with yoga and dance artist Laura Dowdall. Laura has started to do really beautiful, very accessible (and short) morning yoga. ! I recommend this as Laura emphasises breathing which increases and strengthens our lung capacity - good against stress and covid. Pyjama Yoga and Breathing

3. Finally there's Matt Padwick's Ways to bein

Matt's exercises also strongly emphasise breath and moving slowly which can really help slow the racing mind and help bring peace and calm. Again you can sign up by zoom or see the daily uploads on this link.

I hope these links help you to have good mornings. I am working on website and i have lots of ideas for how we can support each other there.

If anyone does need an online session, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warmest wishes and stay well,

Emilie