Staying cool when the heat is on - Practical insights for more flow and less stress
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Go with the flow? Now?
For many of us having more flow right now is hard to imagine.
Yet this is exactly why we need to prioritise. Getting very intentional about creating moments in which we are experiencing more flow, however you define it.
Or we risk losing our sanity. If we’re already experiencing mental health problems, we risk making things even worse.
It is my hope that the articles I share in this newsletter help reduce this risk.
While it might seem like a very tall order, or even decidedly irresponsible to go with the flow right now bear with me.
I really enjoyed this article by Catherine Catto, Do you want to know how to go with the Flow?
Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the psychologist who first used the term flow to refer to a psychological state, describes it as follows:
“Contrary to what we usually believe, moments like these, the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
The circumstances we are faced with right now, having to meet all the day to day challenges we face as well as dealing with how overwhelming everything that is going on in the world is, means it's even more important that we ensure we also create moments of flow.
Or how can we be in any state to manage our load let alone have a positive impact in the world?
Look out for my upcoming blog post also which explores the idea of flow more and how we can experience more of it.
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Paying attention has also never been more important
This next article by Maura Thomas titled Is it even possible to focus on anything right now? was written before the protests in the US started, however, I think it contains some excellent practical advice on how to ‘manage our attention’ in these times.
My fave paragraph in relation to working from home with kids in tow:
“If you’re the only caregiver in a home with others who need more constant supervision, adjust your expectations, and show yourself the same compassion you would show someone else in your situation. Recognizing our limitations and being adaptable will be one of the most useful tools for getting through this time”.
And my absolute all-time favourite practice when things are tough…
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Gratitude for is key
In navigating the slippery slope that is our mental health when we are faced with so many challenges, gratitude is so powerful.
I thought it might be useful to revisit an article about The science of gratitude I wrote a while back.
I write down three things I am grateful for every morning and every evening. And the cool thing is, there is some evidence that gratitude helps with sleep so doing a practice just before bed really makes a lot of sense.
I am so incredibly grateful I live in Australia right now, that I am white, able-bodied, educated and that I have all the opportunities that I do as a result.
What are you grateful for?
Speaking of gratitude, I'd be so grateful if you share this newsletter far and wide if you enjoy it and share on your socials too - see buttons below.
And be sure to let me know what topics interest you and how this newsletter can best serve you in the future.
With love and warmth.
Susie x
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Lilo Wellness
susie@lilowellness.com.au
www.lilowellness.com.au
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