Calm in the Face of the Storm

Staying Steady in Unsteady Times

“Our capacity to make peace with another person and with the world depends very much on our capacity to make peace with ourselves. If we are at war with our parents, our family, our society, or our church, there is probably a war going on inside us also, so the most basic work for peace is to return to ourselves and create harmony among the elements within us.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Undoubtedly these are tumultuous and unsteady times. A never-ending news cycle bombards us with a daily ticker of gun violence, war, wildfires and glacial avalanches that are long past being a canary in the coal mine of climate change, and more. Many of us brace ourselves for the next bad news or unexpected change to come our way. In addition to figuratively bracing ourselves, we literally brace ourselves…our bodies are tense and rigid. Have you noticed this? A stiff neck? A sore back? Shoulders hunched up toward your ears?

As we integrate and internalize all that happens around us, how do we remain steady? How do we stay grounded in groundless times? This may sound like an oxymoron or simply unattainable. But it is neither. If like me, you share a desire to live a healthy and full life, staying grounded in times like these is a form of self-care and, dare I say, self-preservation. Here are a few of the essential practices I use to remain calm in the face of the storm. Peruse the list and try out what resonates with you:

• One of the easiest ways to calm our bodies is to intentionally slow our breathing. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, simply close your eyes, notice your breath, and make each exhale longer than your inhale. This simple action can turn on your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which sends signals of healing, calm, and rest to our bodies.
• Start each morning with a few minutes of quiet contemplation. It could be journaling, meditation, prayer, a few words of gratitude, or a centering thought to guide you through your day. Starting your day with a bit of peace can go a long way to setting the tone for good things to unfold.
• Intentional movement practices like yoga or tai-chi are good for our minds, bodies, and souls. Research is emerging to show that body work is an integral part in healing from trauma; the disruption, loss, isolation, and change that covid has ushered in has indeed been traumatic. Check out this article of our favorite tai chi exercises.
• Spend a bit of time in nature. If you have access to parks or trails, take advantage of it. No need to overcomplicate or overthink it…this can be as simple as walking barefoot in the grass for a few minutes, touching a tree, or closing your eyes and letting your body be warmed by the sun. As your feet or fingers touch the earth, introduce an intention to return any negativity, grief, sadness, and sorrow back to the earth.
• Nourish your body with filtered water and fresh, whole foods. What you eat and drink is the basis for your body…fuel yourself with the good stuff!
• Curate your own content. Avoid or limit news, articles, social media, shows, podcasts, or movies that make you feel angry, upset, down, or despondent. This doesn’t mean burying your head in the sand, it is simply bringing awareness to how much time and energy you spend consuming content that creates negativity.

Lastly, when the world feels big or scary, angry, or overwhelming, I shrink my world and focus on what is immediately surrounding me. I channel the quote above from Thich Nhat Hanh and ask where I am at war in my life (click here for more quotes on self-care). Understanding we’re only ever dealing with ourselves; I start with myself and get curious with where I need to find or make peace in my life. We may not be able to change the world but starting with ourselves and slowly working outwards can have big a big impact on how we perceive and move through the world.

What practices work for you?