Living Embodied and Relational During Stay at Home
Stay at Home…don’t go out unless you need to…you are trying… and yet, are you tired, worn out, irritable, and angry the longer this goes on? Having emotional ups and downs, anxiety, sadness, anger, and feeling powerless are all normal responses when our bodies and spirits are placed in situations where they are asked to be immobile and cut off from physical human connection.
Curt Thompson, a psychiatrist who studies interpersonal neurobiology says “The mind is understood as an embodied and relational process. As Christians, what this is hinting at is the fundamental reality of the Genesis account of creation: that God “formed the man out of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.” (Gen. 2:7). We are dirt, and we are breath; we are embodied, and we are spirited. Take either one away and we stop being fully human. What we are experiencing is the act of living disembodied lives.” (regarding stay at home orders)
In light of this and as you continue to do what is right in front of you day to day, the SureHope therapists have put together a list of ways to attend to spirit and body during the stay at home orders.
Starting the day:
-give God more time than usual
-meditation/prayer/scripture/reflective contemplative habits
-worship/singing while standing – engages body and spirit
-limit news and STOP scrolling
-be intentional and seek connection – call/video chat friends/family
-give and receive – ask how others are doing/allow time to let them tell you their feelings; accept them where they are; resist the urge to fix it – offer care and presence/be willing to share your feelings and receive care in return.
-create a separate space for work if possible
-take work breaks/stand up/stretch/try 3 ten-minute walks a day
-stand when doing something whenever possible (i.e.: work, zoom meeting, etc)
-find beauty
-watch nature on the porch
-get outside/ lots of walks
-working outside/physical labor
-catch up on home projects
-gardening
-fishing
-family sports – badminton, basketball, croquet, corn hole, etc.
-exercise/try it with kids in age appropriate work out
-yoga
-eat meals as a family/resist temptation to boredom eating and binging
-cooking
-baking
-essential oils
-mindful/deep breathing
-music that heals, nourishes, and restores
artistic endeavors/creative activity: on your own or with family members, (i.e. playing games with family, drawing, painting, play an instrument, or learn a new skill online.)
-dance parties – online or with family
-sewing projects
-puzzles
-play cards and other games
-watching movies with the kids
-consider adopting a pet
-humor/laughter
-reading
-write snail mail to friends
-write/journal
End of Day:
-turn off all screens one hour before bed
– handwrite 1 lament/thing that was hard that day and 3 things the day offered for which you are grateful – share these with a friend/family member
-other ________________ /fill in your own blank!
If you would like to connect, SureHope is available! Don’t push through this alone! Reach out! Our counselors are available to walk through this with you.
~Cynthia Morris
https://surehopecounseling.com/cynthia-morris-trauma-child-abuse/
