There’s a lot going on in the world right now which can feel both scary and upsetting. It can also feel frivolous to talk about our lives outside of the situation carrying on as before, but I did want to offer something during this time which could provide some respite and give some reassurance.
It’s impossible not to be impacted by the scenes currently playing out around us at the moment and it’s easy to feel helpless, and desperate to do something, anything to help, and depressed if you not able to.
Building resilience is key to handling life’s challenges, big or small, and means that you’re in a good place to take the actions that you can, when you are able to take them.
Here are six ways I’m working on my resilience right now. I hope these help you through these tricky days.
Self-care and relaxation
Regular readers know I’m a massive advocate of self-care and the best way to be there for other people is making sure you’re your best self by being there for yourself. It’s important to stay up to date with what’s going on in the wider world, but it’s equally important to take breaks from the news and do something you enjoy, whether that’s bingeing your favourite reality TV show, doing something creative or getting outside for a walk and some much needed fresh air.
Exercise
Staying active is key to staying well and putting together an exercise plan (with the assistance of your doctor if you need to) is a great way to build your resilience and stay healthy. I do yoga, my physiotherapy exercises and go for short walks on the beach or in our local park. I find walks by the sea particularly helpful, as the sea air really clears my head and helps me get my thoughts in order.
Diet
Along with exercise, maintaining a healthy diet is also important. An easy way to get lots of fruit and veg into your daily food intake is through smoothies and soups. I often struggle with eating during bad health or high stress periods, and smoothies and soups are easy to make and easy to eat and drink throughout the day if your appetite is fluctuating.
Feel your feelings
It’s very easy to develop the belief that your feelings are silly, unimportant or selfish, but hiding or holding them in will hurt you far more in the long-term than allow yourself to feel and express your emotions as and when they arise. Spend time alone if you need to and write down your feelings in a journal as getting the words down on paper can really help with processing. If you start struggling with low mood frequently, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your doctor or an organisation like the Samaritans who can offer help and support. The Samaritans also have a great mood tracking app which can help you keep track of your mental health status and offers practical tips to help you through difficult times.
Do something practical
Often when something completely out of our control is happening we feel the need to do something practical to help but feel hopeless as there doesn’t seem to be anything we can do. Finding something we can do to help however, even if that seems very small, can make a big difference and can help us feel more in control of the situation. Recently I’ve been putting together care packages with basic toiletries and small comforts which have been delivered to refugees in need and have made donations to charities supporting people on the ground in Ukraine. Sonya Renee Taylor has shared this list of nonprofits and foundations collecting for those impacted.
Build up a support network
Creating a support network of people you can rely on during difficult times, whether that’s with things like collecting medication if you can’t get out and about or just listening to things that you’re going through, is key to feeling safe and secure. Remember that support goes both ways and offering support to the people around you can also help you feel less helpless on hard days.
Take care,
Donna
Self-care snippet
Recently I’ve really been struggling with one of my treatment plans as it isn’t working and a lot of people I know have had better, and quicker, results from it. I’m usually quite good at self-acceptance, but it has been particularly difficult recently not to feel envious over healthier people. This meditation is a great way to work through some of those feelings and make peace with the way things are, rather than the way you wished they were.
Things I’ve seen, heard, read and talked about
NHS issues new 'ground-breaking' sickle cell treatment on first patients This article talks about Crizanlizumab a revolutionary treatment for sickle cell disease which reduces chronic pain and episodes requiring urgent treatment thereby dramatically improving patients’ quality of life.
Lancaster mum wins legal fight for son's kidney transplant The story of Ami McLennan’s legal battle to ensure her teenage son, William, has the right to a potentially life-saving transplant which Royal Manchester Children's Hospital had claimed would be too risky due to his autism. It’s awful that we’re still having these conversations and I was very glad to see that on this occasion the courts were willing to give William the chance he needs.
Rosie Jones on Victoria Wood | National Portrait Gallery Comedian Rosie Jones reflects on her own life and the influence Victoria Wood’s work had on her as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s Women’s History Month series.
How long Covid forced me to confront my past and my identity A really great article about reflections on identity following the impacts of long COVID on health and daily life.