When the world feels unstable these steps will help ground you.
1) Find space and breathe.
The world will be spinning right now and you may feel disorientated this exercise will help calm and ground you:
With bare feet, sit in a comfortable chair and let your body guide you into the best position for you. Once you’re comfortable bring your attention to your breath and just notice how that feels, for you, right now.
Now just let your chest muscles relax and as you do so imagine all the tension releasing from your body. Feel the love that naturally surrounds you and notice how your breathing become smoother.
Put one hand on your stomach and without forcing it, gently breath into this area. Once you feel you have the rhythm, begin to breath in for three, hold for one and release the breath for a count of seven.
As you begin to feel more relaxed, bring your attention to your feet and notice how they feel. Whilst continuing to breath rhythmically, spread your toes wide and push gently into the ground.
Imagine roots shooting out from your feet into the ground below, rooting you in this world and providing stability. Stay here, in this moment for as long as you wish.
Repeat as often as you need to.
2) Let People Help
Your body will naturally go into the fight or flight response during this period and you may find yourself trying tend to every last detail whilst continuing to fulfil your everyday responsibilities. It’s just too much! Allow others to take on some of the chores or do the school run. Accept the pie or the child free afternoon. You don’t have to be perfect right now. In fact, it would be strange if you were. Give yourself a break and accept these kind gifts of support.
3) Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a naturally caffeine free alternative to tea or coffee. As your body is experiencing high levels of stress, caffeine will can easily over stimulate your nervous system and leave you feeling anxious and even panicky. Made from the flower, chamomile tea is a natural relaxant and leaves you feeling soothed and relaxed. Wonderful at any time of the day but especially good if you’re feeling anxious or just before bed.
4) Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has an instant calming effect on the mind and body and is a natural anti-depressant. You can add 6 to eight drops to a bath, use on your pillow at night, mix with a base oil for massage or simply apply to a tissue or handkerchief and carry it with you for quick relief.
5) Nutritional Drinks
When you are experiencing shock, your body enters a highly stressed state and releases hormones to signal, to your body, that there is a threat. One symptom of this, can be that you feel unable to eat. This may be because you feel nauseous, have a ‘lump’ in your throat, or just have no appetite. These reactions are all normal and will pass and you move into the next stage of grief. In the meantime, to keep your strength up, try drinking a good quality nutritional drink. These tend to contain all the essential vitamins and minerals that we need to support a healthy body and mind, whilst providing sufficient calories to prevent weight loss. In addition, even if it is just a spoonful, try to continue to eat a range of vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates. Ensuring that you are sufficiently fuelled will give your body and mind the necessary resources to function in the best possible way.
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