When life gives you lemons .... make Lemonade -- a newsletter designed to help you cope well with the Corona virus and life in general
– By Pamela Woodroffe, LICSW, CDP, MAC Seattle psychotherapist
Finding calm -- Stop, and take a deep breath
When we are stressed, our breath becomes shallow, which sends our brain a signal that we are in danger. Then our thoughts turn catastrophic, as if to create congruity with our body’s adrenalin rush. Left unchecked, we can go into ‘thought loops’, as our anxiety ramps up.
When this happens, stop and take a deep breath. Breathe in through your nose slowly while sticking out your belly for four counts. Then breathe out, slowly, through pursed lips, for four counts, letting your belly just relax. Do this for at least five breaths.
While continuing deep breathing, picture the sun or a ball of bright, warm light. Bring it into your solar plexus. Feel how warm and vibrant it is. As you continue deep breathing, expand the light and warmth throughout your whole body. When you feel it in your whole body, just ‘be’ with it for a bit, radiating healing and light.
Later, when you feel stressed, or have catastrophic thoughts, remember this feeling and bring it within again. If you catch yourself having ‘worry thoughts’, send light and peace to the concern. Practice daily if you can.
Herbal lemonade
Maybe you are going through your freezer and pantry these days, and found some lemonade or lemons. Consider spritzing up your lemonade drinks. If you have a frozen lemonade, boil up the water you would have added to the mix, and throw some lavender or rosemary in and bring to a boil. Strain out the herb. Add ice, lemonade mix, and enjoy!
Fresh produce and groceries
Right now is a really good time to eat well. But questions arise about how safe are fresh vegetables and groceries. Opinions on that are changing daily. Here’s a link to a you-tube by a family physician who demonstrates how to
manage the groceries as you bring them into the house. You can adapt his ideas to your family’s habits and the most up-to-date information.
Get creative - Masks for your safety and others
Recently the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended we all wear masks when we are in public places, and that any medical-type masks be reserved for health care workers. Some hand-made ones may not be up to medical standards, but they do help protect us somewhat from giving or getting the virus. You can make some for yourself, your loved ones, and maybe for the folks on the front lines -such as grocery checkers, drug store workers, delivery folks, garbage collectors, and bank tellers. One of my neighbors leaves free masks for the UPS and Fed Ex delivery folks.
Here’s how to sew a pleated cloth mask
Here are face coverings suggestions from the CDC:
Need some extra support right now?
I hope you are all staying well and healthy. If you are currently a client, or have ever been my client, I am offering Telehealth (video and audio) counseling sessions. Please get in touch if you would like some extra support during this time. I’m here for you. I hope you find this newsletter helpful. Take good care,
~ Pamela Woodroffe, LICSW, CDP, MAC, Seattle Psychotherapist
Email me: Woodroffe.counseling@gmail.com Or phone me at 206.399.2622 Website: www.pamelawoodroffecounseling.com
EMERGENCY RESOURCES:
If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911. You may also contact the:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 1-800-799-4TTY (4889, for hearing impaired), or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), 1-800-787-3224 (for hearing impaired), or www.ndvh.org
Teen and Parent Crisis Hotline at 1-800-784-2433 or www.boystown.org