“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.” Haruki Murakami
Things feel so uncertain right now: the cost of living crisis, the increasing energy bills, the war in Ukraine and the terrible floods in Pakistan are filling so many I know with anxiety and fear. Every day the news is filled with stories about war, terrorism, crime, pollution, inequality, drug abuse and oppression.
I too have really had to to dig into my mental toolbox to come through this and will continue to lean on the following.
1. What Can I Control
A lot of us get stuck in fear and anxiety because we focus on things that are outside of our control. The more we do this, the more disempowered we are, and the more turmoil we feel. In contrast, the more we focus on what’s in our control, the more empowered we are; we can actually do something useful and we feel better. I made a list of things I can not control and release them:
- Predicting what will happen – these are unpredictable times!
- Others people’s motives, intentions and reactions
I choose to focus on what I can control:
- Having a positive attitude
- Turning off the news and social media
- Focussing on kindness, compassion and grace
- Finding fun things to do at home
- Not stressing the small stuff – daughter doesn’t want to do art, its okay!
2. Changing My Vibrational Energy to Joy and Gratitude
Joy is very important to me – it lifted me out of Post Natal Depression and the intentional pursuit of it transformed my life. “But Rupinder how on earth do we find joy at this time?!” you may ask. By seeking it out. Find funny films, clips, youtube videos to watch, read an amusing book, listen to a humorous story or podcast – you can control what you listen, watch and read – find things that lift you up.
I have been watching comedy series like Fleabag, Man Like Mobeen, Would I Lie To You, 2 Doors Down on BBC Iplayer. I also have a list of comforting feel good movies that feel soothing – the right kind of TV can shift your energy. In 2014, a study by the Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, measured empathic stress and found that watching other people undergo stress – for instance on TV – it transferred onto the viewer. Be mindful of what you are watching at this time and be selective! We don’t need any more drama – real life is like a soap opera at the moment!
All the research suggests that gratitude can help us cope with hard times. It is precisely under crisis conditions such as this pandemic when we have the most to gain by having a grateful perspective on life. In the face of despair and feeling demoralised, gratitude has the power to energise us. In the face of ruin, gratitude has the power to heal us. In the face of sadness, gratitude has the power to bring hope.
Every day I list 5 things I am grateful for and allow the emotions of gratitude to envelope me like a safety blanket. Gratitude for the sun, the birds that sing and the trampoline in the garden which we all bounce on made the list!
3. Affirmations That Are Super Charged
The word affirmation comes from the Latin ‘affirmare’, originally meaning “to make steady, strengthen.” They are a positive statement repeated to strengthen us by helping us believe in the potential of an outcome. When we verbally affirm our hopes and ambitions, we are instantly empowered with a deep sense of reassurance that our words will become reality.
How? Because affirmations are a proven method to rewire our brains. Much like exercise, they raise the level of feel-good hormones and push our brains to form new clusters of positive thought neurones. I start my statements with “I AM”, these formulate, affirm, and perpetuate the stories you tell yourself. Stories about who you are, who you can be, and what you can do.
To super boost my affirmations I tap my thymus at the same time. Known as the ‘Tarzan move’ the thymus gland lies just beneath the upper part of the breastbone in the middle of the chest. It is the master gland of your immune system, defending against disease and infection. It plays a big role in keeping your life energy vibrating in high frequency. When the thymus gland is in harmony it can increase your strength and vitality.
It has been discovered that negative thinking weakens the thymus gland, whilst feelings of love, trust, gratitude and courage raises its energy. This is why stimulating your thymus gland, whilst simultaneously thinking or saying positive affirmations is a powerful combo for both the mind and body. Try tapping it whilst reciting positive statements – the ones I have been using at this time are:
“I am supported. I am loved. I am safe. I am guided by a divine power. I am protected at all times.”
This is a short video (less than a minute) on how to tap your thymus.
I hope you find these tips useful, I will be writing regularly with lots more actions and suggestions that have helped me to step out of fear into faith at this time. Do let me know what you have been doing too.
Stay safe!
From my heart to yours,
Rupinder
1 thought on “3 Helpful Ways To Surviving The Storms In Life”
Absolutely love love love this, you’ve hit the perfect sentiment of how so many of us are feeling and have been for what feels like forever right not!!
I’ll be definitely be trying the tips!