Caring for your mind, body & soul as we emerge from lockdown
It’s been a long, long winter, and adapting back to “normal” life can feel exciting, overwhelming, and exhausting too. It’s mental health awareness week, so we’ve put together some insights and advice on self-care to help support you, however you’re feeling right now. And no, it’s not all about baths and candles - though that’s all good stuff and believe me I love a good bath! These tips should hopefully be accessible to most, and involve some of the simpler things in life…
Since the beginning of the latest lockdown restrictions easing, I’ve felt a combination of experiences and feelings which have challenged me both physically and mentally. After a gruelling year, I’m now faced with a real smorgasbord of emotions (yay…!) : overwhelm from (perceived or otherwise) social pressures, stress from changing responsibilities at work, guilt from lack of direction or motivation, and a general sense of “shoulds” - especially when I see on social media what others around me are (ostensibly) doing or achieving. The mental rhetoric goes: ”I should be doing more X, Y or Z”. If this sounds familiar, please know that you are not alone.
Since re-opening my clinic, I’ve spoken to so many people who are struggling with burnout, overwhelm and the mixed responsibilities that come with the ever-changing landscape of Covid-19. Although these challenges are very real and testing, there are simple things we can do to support ourselves which require only a short time in our busy days, and they all involve connecting with our senses. No, these tips will not suddenly and magically change everything to butterflies and rainbows - but they can help you to bring a mindful attention to some of the things you might be experiencing and help create the opportunity for you to choose to do things differently, as well as providing a little window of hope and respite amongst the storm.
I know they work because I’ve tried & tested them myself when I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression. Even if you’re springing back to life post-lockdown and are relishing the revival of socialising and being back to work, I’d encourage you to adopt some of these practices too - they might help you to pay attention to your emotions and energy levels, and perhaps avoid a ‘social burnout’. I really hope these help you too - let me know in the comments below or contact me privately if you prefer.
See, wonder
It can be tricky to see the wood for the trees when we’re feeling pulled in all directions or overwhelmed. Taking time to notice the beauty around us (however small) and experiencing wonder can help to ground us emotionally and physically, and has the added benefit of enhancing our wellbeing and sense of life satisfaction. I recommend taking a walk in nature or the closest green space to you, and taking notice of the different plants and wildlife that are living in the hedgerows, cracks in the pavement and verges. Some of these plants may not look like much, but when studied closely, they are micro-worlds of colour, texture and life! Taking time (even just 5 min) to pay attention to the tiniest specks of beauty in the world can have a profound effect on our mental state. I wrote about finding beauty and wonder in nature recently on my Instagram channel.
Inhale, follow aromas
Have you ever detected a scent on the breeze and immediately been transported back to a particular memory or time of your life? Aromas have a way of connecting us to the emotional part of our brain through scent, via the olfactory bulb and amygdala, so aromas which we associate with positive experiences can have an uplifting or calming effect on our parasympathetic nervous system. I’m so fascinated by all this! Now for the sciency bit…
Disciplines such as Aromatherapy work in part through this connection to our Limbic system, as the tiny aromatic molecules that we inhale when we receive a therapeutic treatment are volatile and pass through our smell receptors into our bloodstream and brain, having a direct effect on our emotions and physical body. So when you’re out and about, maybe in a park or the countryside, follow your nose when you detect an interesting aroma - follow it! Can you tell which plant it comes from? If you're sure of its identification and have permission to do so, why not rub a leaf or flower and smell the volatile oils being released in real-time? Different herbs’ essential oils are indicated for different conditions. Melissa (Melissa officinalis) is particularly effective for stress and anxiety, for example, and Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) is great for stabilising and grounding emotionally. A good aromatherapist will always conduct a thorough consultation and make a personalised blend for you during your session, so make sure you check before booking. If you’re keen to learn more about this fascinating area, I run a number of workshops (currently on request) where we dive deeper into the science. Alternatively, you can book a treatment and come experience the wonder and magic of aromatic blending for yourself!
Taste, savour
Taking the time to prepare a delicious meal is one of my favourite pleasures, especially if I have company! Roll on dinners with friends... Preparing a meal from scratch makes the final taste all the sweeter, and I love nothing more than to forage my own additions (safely, respectfully) too, as they add delight, intrigue and unusual flavour to every bite. Also, they’re free! I recently posted about a delicate wild salad I made with some foraged finds, see if you like the sound of it and maybe try it out, too. Cooking and preparing nourishing, flavourful meals can be a wonderfully mindful experience. Even if you’re super busy and don’t feel like confronting a challenging recipe or long list of ingredients after work, try and make cooking even the simplest of suppers your daily mindfulness activity: choose fresh ingredients, cut them carefully, and pay attention to how the smells, flavours and colours develop as you cook.
Touch, feel
Speaking with my clients lately has shown how in need of reassuring touch we are as a species, and has demonstrated the real, felt impact of not having had enough physical contact with our loved ones, or being able to go for that much-needed massage! But even if you’re still far from family or friends or are still unsure about making it to the treatment room, positive touch can be easily integrated into your daily routine and is a wonderful way to look after your body and mind. Taking the time to touch our skin, look at it, and see what it needs is key to looking after the biggest organ on our body. Is it dry and scaly? Apply your favourite body butter (try to use ones rich in plant oils or butters, and avoid mineral oils). Is it looking wrinkly? You might be dehydrated, so drink some water or a nourishing herbal tea.
If you have a little more time, try this simple self-massage technique. I find it brilliant for relieving a stiff “work from home” neck or relieving stress. After showering or a bath, I use a teaspoon-full of good, organic base oil such as Sweet Almond (Prunus dulcis) or Peach Kernel Oil (Prunus persica) and gently, starting at the base of the neck, I work up both sides, one by one, using three fingers together to make small circular motions. Then, I come down the sides of my neck with the “blade” of my hand, the side with the little finger, making sure I keep my hand flat and your wrist straight. Don’t press too hard, and try to keep the hand angled down, thumb towards the collar bone. Do this three or four times on each side of the neck, then finish off your treatment by gently using one hand to gently squeeze the back of your neck, working down either side of the spine until you reach the nape. Tip: for a bedtime wind-down, add 2 drops of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) or Chamaemelum nobile) or 2 drops of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil to your base oil, and mix well with a stick before applying. If you’re feeling the need for some deeper attention to your muscles, emotions and soul, I’m taking bookings for my deeply nourishing 1-hour bespoke deep-tissue aromatherapy massages, as well as holistic facials. I make tailored oil and product blends bespoke to each individual, using ethically and sustainably-sourced, organic essential oils. Contact me if you’d like to book a session.
I hope you found these tips helpful, please let me know if you tried any of them in the comments. Sending lots of love and support to you.
Ellen x
