LIVING WELLNESS
The calm before the storm
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Practice self-care as the seasons change
his time of transition from fall into winter, with cooler temperatures and fewer hours of daylight, is often the “calm before the storm” for many people as the holiday season and year-end approach.
the good and the bad. Can you name what you’re feeling? Get curious, without judging. Ask yourself, “what’s really happening, here?” • Connect. Talk to someone. You may brighten their day, as well as yours. • Practice gratitude, even for the hard things. Focus on what you have, rather than what you lack.
The Danes say this is the most ‘Hygge’ (pronounced hoo-gah) time of the year. That is, an ideal time to recognize and gather what we need to feel content and support our wellbeing. What do you need to look after yourself? It’s easy to overlook our own needs, especially when we are distracted with so many demands on our time. However, if we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we show up for others? It’s not helpful, or healthy, to keep pushing through, regardless of how we feel, only to finish the year drained and overwhelmed. Have you noticed that when that happens, you end up getting ill and spending any welldeserved downtime or holiday time recovering?
• Give yourself permission to feel
In the words of the philosopher Lao Tzu, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” If you knew that taking the time less fragile we are, the better chance ‘monkey mind’) that may be to prioritize your well-being will we have of coping when life throws causing you to feel anxious with help you sail through the storm, unexpected challenges and chaos past regrets or future worries. what would you do? our way. As immigrants, we know how to adapt. We have already proved to ourselves that we can do hard things and survive.
Hazel Morley has worked as a trainer, facilitator and coach for more than 25 years, in England and after immigrating to Canada in 2009. After her own personal health crisis, she shifted gears to focus on strategies for enjoying optimal health.
Your #1 asset
Life is also about thriving, and to thrive in our communities, in our workplaces and personal lives, we Put gas in your tank If you wouldn’t risk driving a car need to look after our number one until the tank completely runs out asset — ourselves. of fuel, why would you do that to What do you need to look after your mind and body? In the same way you check the fuel level for the yourself, especially at this time of journey you want to make, and put year? gas in the tank in advance, you want Often, what helps is setting clear to keep your energy and spirit levels boundaries. For example: topped up. Mother Nature can teach us a few • Better time management to make more space in the day for rest and lessons here. recovery. Just as we see the trees pivot • Commitment to focus on the and bend when the wind blows, important, essential things rather we need to be flexible to adapt to than trying to do it all. changing circumstances and events • Reduce the external distractions that are out of our control. Like a and interruptions to allow more tree, we need to root down to rise, attention on what and who stay centred and strong. Just as with matters most. That may mean physical movement, the more we spending less time tuning into practice bending and stretching, the negative news and social media. more flexible we become. The same Turn off the notifications on your is true for our minds. The more we digital devices. practice being present to what is • Pause. Slow down. Take a and grounding ourselves by coming moment to breathe deeply. back to connect with who and what Stretch, stand, look up if you can. Stay present and balanced. really matters, the more we build • resilience. The more resilient and Quiet any inner voice (your CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |
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