What. A. Month.
The last month has brought insurmountable changes for our world as we fight the ongoing pandemic and with those changes has come great uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. Vacations canceled, concerts postponed, every day life completely uprooted - all in a matter of a few weeks. I personally have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions surrounding the situation and those emotions are ongoing. I crave so badly that the pain that our world is currently feeling to be relieved and for us all to begin the journey to healing from this experience.
As someone who has spent many, many days at home, isolated from friends, family, and missing birthdays, holidays, special events, and more, this time has been particularly hard. I hate that the world now has to feel that isolating, pit-in-your-stomach feeling that comes with having your life completely uprooted. Fortunately, after facing immense health struggles the past four years, I have learned a few ways to cope with the rollercoaster of emotions that come with that experience. Here are a few things that I have been doing during this time to take care of my body and mind:
▪️ Starting my day with a cup of turmeric tea with Vital Proteins Collagen Powder and DripDrop ORS mixed into a liter of water. This is a powerful healing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating combo that I am sticking to in order to get my body as healthy as possible during this time. Hydration is incredibly important to keeping my body functioning correctly and not forcing it to put extra effort into functioning while dehydrated. I have used DripDrop ORS since early in my diagnosis and I cannot count the amount of times that it has kept me out of the hospital for dehydration. And, especially during this time, going to the hospital for fluids is out of the question. I need something that tastes good, isn't loaded with sugar, and keeps me hydrated, and DripDrop ORS does that exactly.
▪️ Extra sleep. I’ve been aiming to get 8-9 hours of sleep each night. See, one of the hardest parts about being an ostomate is the interrupted sleep due to waking up to emptying your bag. Right now, sleep is incredibly important to a healthy body, so I am prioritizing going to bed at a decent time and simplifying my morning routine so that I can give my body as much rest as it needs.
▪️ Lots of walks. As often as I can, I have been taking breaks to go on walks around my neighborhood. Being outside in nature does WONDERS for my mental and emotional health, especially during this time. I have also been running on the treadmill when I cannot be outside.
▪️ Limiting my media consumption. While it is important to stay informed, I have been strict on myself when it comes to avoiding over-consumption of the news because I recognize the incredibly negative effect that it has on my mental and emotional health.
▪️ Just letting myself feel it. This is an incredibly tasking time for every single one of us and we have to give ourselves a break as we navigate day to day. I’ve been trying to be accepting of my emotions - positive or negative - instead of internalizing as I normally would. There truly isn't a right way to feel right now, and it's ok to feel "normal" one day and sad, angry, lost, etc. the next. We are all coping in the best way that we can given the circumstances. I encourage you to reach out virtually to friends, family, and even a professional to talk through your feelings. No one is judging you for feeling the way that you do.
It's crazy to think that we are currently in the midst of a part of history that the world will never forget, and as challenging as this has been, a comforting fact has been that all of us are experiencing this together. My mom recently made our family some masks in the case that we need to make a trip to the grocery store. Now that is something I never thought would be part of every day life for us.
To all of my dear friends going through this right now, stay strong. To the healthcare workers, store workers, and every one else on the front lines of this pandemic - THANK YOU. Your bravery in the face of such adversity is admirable at the very least and I am so we are so grateful for you. I know that we're going to get through this. The human spirit has proven that time and time again. Be safe. Stay home. Sending so much love and light to each and every one of you.
- Kristen
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