My Top Tips to Manage Isolation
While the rest of nature is bursting into life after the long winter, us humans are having to retreat indoors and recalibrate to this huge global sea-change that affects all areas of our lives.
Most of us have never been in isolation, or disconnected from our loved ones and families before, so we don't have the tools or awareness of how to cope and deal with this situation.
However, after my many years of Vipassana meditation retreats, plant medicine isolation dietas, and my Dark retreat in 2018, I'd like to share with you some of my coping mechanisms that I learnt during my long periods in self-isolation and silence.
Here are some of my top tips on how to manage the isolation:
Looking Forward
A river never flows backwards - it always flows forward to the next destination. Having something to look forward to on a daily basis really helps to focus the mind and gives it something to anchor on. Also having some kind of routine helps us feel more in control, so creating some kind of schedule or to do list to keep your mind busy will really help, otherwise it could well be jumping around, and getting caught up in the fear of the unknown. During my dark retreat I had a whole daily routine that helped me manage the darkness. Every morning I showered, dressed, did yoga and sat in meditation and this made me feel more in control of the unknown.
Remember to Breathe
When the mind races it is very difficult to calm it down, so remembering to breathe is very important. A good breathe for calming the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system is 7/11 breathing. Breathe in for a count of seven and breathe out for a count of eleven. This automatically and instantly calms us down so we can start thinking more clearly again.
Time in Nature
If you are able to go out, taking a walk in nature is the simplest way of calming the mind. Walking barefoot and feeling the Earth's electromagnetic energies travel through the soles of your feet and through your body is incredibly grounding, hugging a tree helps us to root and feel rebalanced, and feeling the elements on your skin is refreshing and revitalising.
Feeling Grateful for the little things
In times of crisis we are often reminded how the little things are important. Writing a gratitude diary or giving thanks every night for the things we have, and feeling abundant, helps us remain happy and peaceful.
