Inspiring Women Magazine May 2021

FEATURE
Top Tips for Well-Being – Especially
During COVID-19 Times
Ann Marie Morrow, member of AWC Finland, gives us her top
well-being tips.
Even experts in the field say they know what to
do, but it isn't always easy to do.
Here are some tips for you to consider to help
boost your well-being. Each day is a new day. Start
where you are – it is a journey, not a destination.
Validate. Validate your feelings and emotions
and of those around you. It is okay to have
feelings that are on a rollercoaster. These are
unprecedented times, and it is normal to not feel
100%. It is unknown what will happen, and it is
scary. Validate that. It is okay to be worried and
not to be fully productive during a global health
and financial crisis. Let those around you know it
is okay.
Self-compassion and compassion. It can’t be
stated enough. You have to take care of yourself
to take care of others. Be kind to yourself. Take a
break. Give yourself some slack. When you are
struggling, what would a good friend say to you?
Say these things to yourself. You are enough and
deserve this kindness. Also, be compassionate
towards your family, spouse and friends. Be kind.
Be kinder.
Be intentional. Be intentional about creating
experiences and doing things that you enjoy. If
you like reading books, make the time to do this.
Do you like cookies? Take time to bake some of
your favorite kind. Create the good things that
you like to do.
Be deliberate. Choose where to put your focus.
How does reading the news all the time make you
feel? If you check in and notice that it makes you
anxious and less well, then limit the time you
spend checking news. Be deliberate in limiting
your time doing those things that cause you to
feel unwell. Remember to focus on good things
that are happening as well.
Causal arrows. While we all think that we will be
happier once we can just be more productive, the
arrow goes the other way. We will be more
productive when we feel better. Now is a good
time to focus on feeling better. Doing what you
can to sleep, eat and exercise well. Being
intentional about adding positive experiences and
being grateful. When we pay attention to bumping
up our mental health, then other areas will follow.
Nature. Get out in nature whenever you can: walk
in the woods; sit in the garden and listen to the
birds; appreciate the flowers on the patio. Be
intentional and mindful of the nature around you.
Exercise. Keeping the blood flowing with
exercise helps to stimulate stress reducing
hormones. Try for at least 30 minutes a day. And
get up at least once every 30 minutes during the
day to stretch or just walk around.
Rest and sleep. One of the most important
things you can do is get enough good sleep. Try to
invoke a ritual before bedtime to get your mind
into the habit. Leave the phones and news away/
off. Read a book, do some stretches, meditate.
This helps not only your mental health, but also
boosts your immune system.
54