Be Your Own Scientist
No matter how you slice it, the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered an enormous amount of stress worldwide. Each day, we are all challenged to adjust to the ever-changing climate of the pandemic, as science and medical providers diligently work hard to both prevent and treat this illness. Many of us have become extremely weary of the scary news feeds and ever-changing world that we live in. We absorb an ongoing stream of stress as our concerns build for our children, our parents, and grandparents, and the world at large. How do we meet these challenges head on? This is a question that is unique to each family and their circumstances. We are now in a time of great change and it is important to remember that human beings have an enormous capacity for adaptability. Our very survival has depended upon our creativity and adaptability and our continued existence is proof of this capacity.
Growing up I really enjoyed sci-fi and other futuristic movies and now find it rather surprising how many of those dated movies have eerily presented the very challenges we are now facing. The world is changing. The climate is changing. Now humans are challenged to adjust well to these changes and work hard to help other humans survive and thrive. We can do this! We have before and we will continue to evolve and meet the changes that present to us. The human spirit is profoundly creative and resilient.
With that said, I would like to challenge each reader to imagine that they are a scientist and that they are a part of a team, whose job it is to help humans to develop happier and healthier lifestyles.
The task is simple. What can I build into my daily routines that will promote health and a general sense of well-being? This is not a one-size fits all activity. This is why a team is needed; for there are a large variety of personalities, personal preferences, and activities that may be best suited to different people. You yourself are likely the best scientific innovator for yourself and you may have ideas for others who have similar personality traits and preferences. I would like to challenge each reader to consider the potential benefits of being willing to “become a scientist,” to assess what is beneficial and what is not for mental health, and to prioritize their daily activities well. Of course, there are some activities that are not enjoyable and are unavoidable (i.e. changing diapers), and will remain a necessary part of our routines, but imagine a well-rounded routine and the difference it could make in the positive mental health of your daily life. And imagine the unsavory consequences of not heeding to our basic daily needs and daily chores.
The human body finds change stressful and less than optimal. Unfortunately, humans have developed entrenched habits that can wreak havoc on our physical and mental health. Watching too much news is a prime example. Spending enormous amounts of money on activities, goods, and services each day, that often provide very little if any benefit in return, is another example. Many complain that they have fallen into unhealthy routines and have struggled with committing to building healthier routines. Here is an unfortunate truth: “if nothing changes, nothing changes.” To rephrase, if we do not change what we are doing, we are not likely to feel any different and our mood and general health can worsen over time. The human spirit can struggle with wanting to embrace change. This is why it is important to tap into your inner-knowing and scientifically dive into your daily habits.
So, what activities and changes in your routine may help to benefit your life and your general well-being?
If you spend some time asking these questions and listening to your own ideas and guidance, you will likely hit the jack-pot, especially if you keep using this strategy to hone in on and establish optimal daily living.
Start very small and to give yourself permission to do as little or as much of any healthy activity; allowing time to assess whether this activity was something that you enjoy. Was it something that you sense was beneficial? Was it something you feel you may like to build upon? Be aware of your auto-pilot. Are you engaging in similar daily routines out of habit? Are you taking the time to decipher whether this activity is beneficial, or is actually harmful to your mood and general health?
Let’s circle back to the to challenge I propose to each of you. It’s time to become a scientist and research your own health and well-being. It’s time to brainstorm ideas for building a greater quality of life for yourself. Take your time with this thought process. This alone may be an uplifting activity and will allow for a larger pool of ideas you can choose from. From this brainstorming, you are then challenged to try an activity that you haven’t done in a while or at all, that you feel could be of benefit to your happiness. Decide on an amount of time to engage in the activity that you find doable, or not overly stressful (i.e. 5-15 minutes). Now before this activity, take in a few deep breaths. Notice how you are feeling emotionally. What kind of mood or moods are you experiencing (i.e. happy, sad, angry, frustrated, surprised, exhilarated, anxious). Then take a few more deep breaths and check into how your body is feeling overall and where you might be carrying any stress. Breathe a few more deep breaths into this area of your body, imagining that you are sending healing to that area. Now, try the activity that you chose to do for as long as you feel is doable and not stressful. After completing this activity (and giving yourself time to cool down if you are exercising) check in with yourself once again. Ask yourself how you are feeling emotionally and do another body scan to assess where you are feeling these feelings. Keeping a journal can be beneficial to track how each activity is of benefit or not. Once you have your results try to continue the activities that left a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being. Now, you have tuned into your inner-scientist to research and create positive habits for your life.
You alone are the chooser of your activities and the receiver of the consequences of each choice. Remember, it is best to start small, allowing yourself time to adjust to these changes and also to continue to use your creativity to carve out better and better days for yourself. You also have the option to simply remain on auto-pilot and allow the current trends and your current routines to rule your choices. Understand that these daily choices have a cumulatively profound impact on your happiness and your wellness, or a lack thereof. Perhaps there has never been a more important time in human history for us to use our creativity and to tap into our own “inner scientist” to embrace change and shape our futures to ones of resiliency and well-being.
H.F.
BMCC Counselor
We are available on our phone number 828.669.9798 or by visiting our website www.blackmountaincounseling.org.
