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Featherstone Features
Featherstone Features
An ongoing series of informational entries
An ongoing series of informational entries
Managing Strees & the COVID-19 Pandemic
Managing Strees & the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 24,2020
When we experience difficult situations, like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to minimize stress. Therefore, it is important to take care of yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Here are some suggestions:
Emotionally-
Deep Breathing and relaxation
Tapping, Journaling, drawing, Art projects
Exercise – walk, spend some time outside daily
Socialize - digitally, video chat groups, etc., play games with family
Practice Mindfulness – Be in the moment focused on your senses- touch, hearing, smell, taste,Sight
Go for a drive in the country with the windows down
If you become harmful to yourself or others- go to the hospital or call 911
Physically-
Eat nutritious food
Take meds as prescribed
Explore Nature
Exercise/Movement
Call health care provider if you are sick
Spiritually-
Prayer, Yoga, Movement, Mindfulness, Be Still, Meditate
Practice spiritual rituals
Request prayer/help from others
Talk to someone for spiritual support
Watch a service online or positive videos
Explore Nature
Also:
Keep busy with a variety of things. 100 things to do while stuck inside due to a pandemic
f you are feeling hopeless or helpless & are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, there is help available right now.
Please call 911 and tell them how you are feeling and that you need help. You will be able to get immediate care. The social worker at the facility will help you
set up with ongoing professional counseling to help you change your life.
How to Avoid an Emotional Crisis
How to Avoid an Emotional Crisis
February 14, 2020
There are times when you may say to yourself, "I can't take it anymore. It's too much."
This a sign of being over-stressed and you maybe thinking that nothing will improve. The emotions of fear, anger, and sadness related to depression, anxiety or trauma may seem all consuming. You may have no interest in activities, being around people or going out of the house.
You may be challenged with financial issues, relationship issues, trauma memories, school, family, current abuse or violence, children, or physical health.
You are not alone, many people deal with the same emotions, problems, challenges daily.
"I have found the following techniques powerful in improving negative moods
and inspiring a positive outlook for my client's and myself. The challenging situations do not change, but our ability to manage them does improve.
When we have a positive mindset, we are able to think clearly, make better decisions and handle negative situations as they occur."
According to Shawn Achor,
when you practice these 5 things for the 21 days in a row,
You will change your mood and begin to experience happiness.
1. Start every day listing 3 new things you are grateful for in your life or the world.
Get a small book or journal and keep a record of your gratitude list.
2. End every day by writing a short paragraph about something positive that
happened during the past 24 hours.
Writing this and making a gratitude list daily will begin to change your outlook and you will begin to unconsciously search for the positive in life.
3. Do something for someone else without expecting anything in return.
It can be as simple as writing a note of appreciation for a person in your life, smiling at people when you pass them, letting someone in line ahead of you in the store or car, pay for someone's coffee behind you, texting a positive quote to a person in a difficult situation.
4. Exercise to tell your body it is important and you care about yourself.
Make 10-20 minutes a day to do movement, yoga, walk, swim, bike or exercise
at the gym to honor yourself. If you have any medical problem, please speak with your health caregiver before starting any exercise routine. The focus is to honor your body, not to harm it.
5. Calm yourself through Mediation and deep breathing.
Take some time, start with 5 minute, daily to focus on deep belly breathing and relaxation.There are many YouTube videos that can help you with meditation and deep breathing.
You can watch Shawn’s YouTube video TEDxBloomington - Shawn Achor - "The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance" to hear Shawn describe why these steps work.
You will laugh and learn: https://youtu.be/GXy__kBVq1M
Please contact me if you are interested in learning new ways to manage challenges and difficulties you may be experiencing.
If you are feeling hopeless or helpless & are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, there is help available right now.
Please call 911 and tell them how you are feeling and that you need help. You will be able to get immediate care. The social worker at the facility will help you
set up with ongoing professional counseling to help you change your life.
On Becoming - a Dialogue with God
On Becoming - a Dialogue with God
September 29, 2020
Me: Hey God.
God: Hello.....
Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
God: Because you aren't a puzzle.
Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking down!
God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.
Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?
God: Only the very best pieces of you.
Me: I'm scared of changing.
God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!
Me: Becoming who?
God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! ... Become! Become! Become who I made you to be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it.
Me: There goes another piece.
God: Yep. Let it be.
Me: So ... I'm not broken?
God: Of course Not! - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day. Become!!!
~Author John Roedel