Health Beat
I’ve been listening to an interesting series of lectures as part of my health coach training. The speaker is well known in health coaching circles and the founder and CEO of the ‘school’ I’m attending,
Wellcoaches. Margaret Moore, known as Coach Meg, authored the book “Organize Your Mind,
Organize Your Life.” A takeaway from the lectures is pertinent to these crazy days of 2020, when the number of coronavirus cases keeps skyrocketing. We still have a choice in how we deal with the stress of our lives turned upside-down by the pandemic. But, like any exercise, it takes practice and time to tame the unwanted noise created by this upheaval. So ask yourself a few questions: How are you framing the life you’re living now as compared to how it was a year ago? What’s your response to challenges posed by the changes? Do you see everything as a problem that seems insurmountable, or do you view it as an opportunity to craft something new? The point is that you have a choice in how you respond and react to this time. Sure, it stinks that you can’t be with loved ones during the holidays. But that doesn’t mean you can’t share favorite food, games, and gifts. If you live near to friends and family, find places out of doors to meet. The fresh air is good for what ails most of us, in general, and a walk is always good for the body. I am well aware of the unique challenges facing families with loved ones in congregate settings. You may have to rely on staff to facilitate virtual meetings. My heart goes out to you as you yearn to hold their hands. And, while a virtual get-together is less than optimal, again, it provides something and we have to choose how we view that. Like you, I’ve taken to ‘seeing’ friends virtually. It’s better than nothing and I find some friendships have flourished because distance, when life was ‘normal’, kept us apart. We’ve been meeting with our Arizona friends to share breakfast twice a month. I have other friends who book cooking time with loved ones, as they create family meals. My point is, reframe the challenge. Find opportunities. Yes, it’s different, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bad. You may just find some delights you didn’t know existed.
Benita Zahn, Dps-bioethics 518-207-4820 / Bzahn@wnyt.com Facebook.com/benitazahn Instagram.com/benitatv13
Watch Benita interview Capital Region health experts at wnyt.com/health