“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillseum
We are living in turbulent times. With COVID-19 impacting our lives each and every day, there’s an overwhelming sense of powerlessness that pervades the community due to our loss of normalcy. As these feelings of uncertainty can heighten stress and anxiety, it becomes increasingly important to care not only for your physical health, but also for your mental health and well-being.
There’s no better way to find moments of peace than within the comfort of your own home. Pacific Health Ministry encourages you to alleviate stress by creating these moments through our new email series, “Mindfulness Mondays.” Every Monday, we’ll be sharing a new tip, activity or opportunity for you to find a deep, relaxing sense of peace.
This week, we encourage you to take advantage of the free online resources available to participate in a virtual yoga class. An excellent way to practice mindfulness and alleviate stress, yoga is also a great way to exercise in the comfort of your own home. There are a variety of free online resources to get you started with your yoga practice. We recommend trying multiple options before deciding which one works best for you.
When practicing, we encourage you to focus on the things you’re thankful for. Whether this includes your health, the health of a loved one, the sunrise, the air you’re breathing, or just the feeling of getting a great stretch, practicing gratitude is an important part of the mindfulness that makes yoga a deeply relaxing practice.
Cultivating mindfulness goes a long when when working to combat anxiety and stress. To learn more about other mindfulness exercises or to speak with someone about your fears and anxieties surrounding COVID-19, please contact any of our chaplains at the healthcare institutions where we serve. We’re here for you, no matter what.