What Does CALM Mean to You?

In the last month, so much has changed to our planet, to our communities, and to our lives. 

I hope you are home, safe and healthy. It’s a stressful time and there seems to be a new anxiety-inducing update each time we tune into the news. 

Yet….there are also wonderful moments of humanity, creativity, compassion and innovation occurring every day.

This week, I’ve been reminding myself to stay calm. Here’s what CALM means to me:

C: Connect

Reach out to friends and family to actively create engagement. Short, frequent check-ins can lift your spirits and combat pangs of loneliness. In addition to video, sometimes I send voice memos instead of texts to create more connection. Studies have shown that social connection can strengthen our immune system and potentially lengthen our lifespan.  So, the benefits of hosting a Zoom Happy Hour this week has real science behind it! Take this time to enjoy real connections and real conversations.

A: Accept

Sure, I’d love to be heading to my favorite yoga class right now, but this part of my weekly routine is not an option right now. It’s an ongoing practice to acknowledge and accept that life is different today than it was last month. As I read the stories of athletes who had qualified for the Tokyo Olympic games last week, I was struck by their pragmatic and grateful tones when they learned the games were postponed. Despite their disappointment, they talked of gratitude and the safety of others. What powerful examples of acceptance (and hope)!

L: Limit your intake

Intake of what, you ask? I’m working on limiting my intake of the news. While it’s important to stay informed, I think it’s also important to not get consumed by the gloomy words and images of the day. Next, I’m thinking about limiting my intake of cookies and other treats from the cupboards (has anyone else heard the comparison between the “freshman 15” to the “covid 19”??)

M: Motivate 

Now may be the time to motivate yourself to try something new. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to play chess…..or maybe you used to love painting but feel like you never have the time anymore…. By reframing this period to be less about the lack of your typical routine and more about an unexpected opportunity, you might realize now’s an auspicious time to train your brain! Who knows, maybe you’ll even build that flossing habit you’ve been chasing for years!!

I believe that taking care of your own wellness now is a critical part of how we make our way through this. Keep doing whatever it is you need to feel good and keep stress at bay as much as you can. 

Reading a recent article that talked about making Cornish Game Hen ala bananas (aka being creative and working with whatever kind of groceries you’re able to secure) made me smile. This week, I encourage you to find ways to laugh, get outside and remain CALM!