Balance in Toubled Times

The rate of change these days is dizzying.

I don’t know about you, but I find I need to pause

more often to retreat, heal and gather my thoughts

and strength.

What’s going on?

Well, what’s not going on? It appears all aspects of the world I once knew are in flux.

Emotions are high. The themes of tribalism, hate and intolerance are regularly spewing

and reverberating through the numerous biways of news and social media. The climate

is becoming increasingly more unpredictable and extreme, and critical social institutions

are in crisis. It’s a lot, and it’s exhausting. Some people are coping by reverting to the

past, blaming, lashing out, or trying to exert control as a way to prevent or perhaps

master the inevitable momentum of change; but one thing I know for certain is no one

can stop the momentum anymore than they can stop the tide from coming in.

Striving for  Balance

I have been struggling to stay balanced these days, and I don't think I'm alone. I think 

we are all sensing a wild ride is yet ahead with much work to be done to address and

affect positive change. We also know these times require us to be strong and our best

versions of ourselves, and that’s not easy to maintain. Part of the problem is we’ve

entered these unprecedented times already overtaxed. The majority of us not in the

top 1% have been working demanding hours, or more than one job, often without

vacations to simply stay afloat. These unprecedented times have amplified and laid

bare this and other toxic challenges affecting us. I’m hopeful this will result in needed

systemic changes, but this will not happen overnight. In the interim, we need to

remember to take care of ourselves, our health and our well-being in the midst of

today's turmoil.

Here are some tips I'm trying to implement in my own life that might be helpful for anyone

else struggling to maintain balance in these troubled times.

1. Focus on your health

Stress robs us of our health and well being. In these unprecedented times we need to

pay special attention to the basics:

a. Healthy food: Avoid overly heavy foods, and include lots of fruit and vegetables

of different colors and textures including leafy greens.

b. Hydration: At a minimum, drink 4 glasses (or more) of water and other fluids that

don't contain caffeine or alcohol daily. Caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating - and if

you're like me, they will also interfere with your sleep. I'm not saying don't drink coffee

or alcohol, just know they don't support hydration.

c. Sufficient rest: Sleep needs vary from person to person, but 6 - 9 hours per night

applies to most people. Get the range of sleep that allows you to function well 

and provides you with sufficient energy to function optimally throughout the day.

d. Excercise 2 - 3 times a week:You don't have to go crazy unless that suites you.

Two good exercises that help me with

stress are brisk walking and yoga, but anything that gets you moving for at least

20 minutes is good. I prefer something fun like dancing or hiking. Exercise is one of the

best natural anti-depressants around and has the ability to reduce symptoms of stress

and fatigue.

2. Find your tribe

Find and include people and places where you feel you can be you, where you can be

uplifted, where you can refill your reservoir and help others refill theirs. This can be

anything such as a volunteer community, a dance or martial arts class, a language

practice group - anything really - Anything that replenishes your spirit and brings

some joy and meaning to your life.

3. Disconnect

Disengage from social media, news and gloom and doom friends. A steady stream of

negativity colors your outlook for the worse. By disconnecting, you live more in the

now and free from overly negative influences. You can more easily choose which

emotions to foster and experience that aren't consistently rooted in fear.

4. Spread more kindness

You can never go wrong adding more kindness to a world experiencing a deficit. I

firmly believe a critical component of healing a battered world involves more kindness

and more compassion. The harder, bullying tactics we've been witnessing of late

trigger fight or flight impulses. Being primitive survival responses, they eclipse

other more thoughtful and respectful responses. Kindness and compassion transcend

primitive reactivity and, well, make the world a better place.

5. Reorganize priorities

You will need take more breaks. Ours is a wonderful, but currently frightened and

troubled world in the midst of great changes. It will be necessary to retreat and gather

your strength and regain your perspective. If you've been putting in 50 hour work

weeks, maybe it's time to consider cutting back to 45 hours if you can. Trading time

for money in these times could add immeasurable benefit to your well being. I also

recommend prioritizing spending additional time with who and what you love most.

You will need to replenish yourself before going out and aiding a world also in need

of healing. 

When we shift to a healthier mindset with priorities more reflective of who we are, it's

my belief that we start affecting change on a larger scale.

The greater the numbers of us

engaging in healthier practices - the greater the promise of a

healthier world.