Tag: Corona virus

Navigating Change

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This past year has been challenging to say the least! We have all had many changes thrust upon us. Changes most of us would never have chosen ourselves. The changes keep on coming and we have to adapt. If we resist we can feel even more anxious and stressed. Some changes are harder to accept than others. We can feel stuck and worry about what we can and can’t do.

Changes
Image by Alexander Droeger from Pixabay

I would highly recommend regular EFT or Tapping. During these uncertain times I have found myself tapping more and more to cope with all the changes. I find changes unsettling at the best of times – even when they are changes I want to make! If you find changes challenging then it is really important to acknowledge this and do something to help yourself.

Here’s some of the words I have used in my tapping. You might find them useful too:

  • Even though I can’t keep up with all these changes, I accept my feelings anyway
  • Even though I have had enough of covid and all these changes, I accept myself
  • Even though I’m not sure what I am allowed to do any more, I acknowledge how I feel
  • Even though it’s so confusing with all these different rules in different areas of the country, I’m ok
  • Even though I want to get back to normal, it’s still feeling very different and I love and accept myself
  • Even though I’m frustrated with all these constant changes, I accept myself
  • Even though I find changes really hard, I’m doing my best and I’m ok

If any of these resonate, then do some full tapping rounds on see what comes up for you. Tap any time you feel anxious, stressed or triggered by a change. (If you’re not sure how, check out my instructions here).

“Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”

Eckhart Tolle

I am looking forward to less changes being forced upon me and having more autonomy again. In the meantime I will keep tapping and practising my self-care. This includes daily meditation, energy work (Qi Gong / Reiki / Donna Eden’s daily energy routine) as well as tapping.

I find walking in nature to be very comforting and grounding too. Changes happen all the time in nature but at a pace that I find more acceptable! I love to stop and notice things that we can easily miss when we are walking faster or are distracted. Today I paused under a favourite oak tree and noticed the moss on the bark and the insects going about their business. I naturally took some slower deeper breaths and felt so much better.

Changes
Mossy oak

I am really grateful that I can get out into nature every day. Even if you live in the city, you can find nature in a window box, park or even some herbs on your window cill. I hope you find the time to connect with nature in some way. It can be so helpful slowing down our pace, disconnecting us from technology and bringing us to the present moment.

“Practice the art of patience for nature never acts in haste.”

Og Mandino

If you are struggling with all the changes then do drop me an email and I would love to help you.

Stay safe.
Louise

Keep On Keeping On

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I have found that recently I have been feeling really fed up of the lockdown and Covid-19. The weather has been pretty awful and I haven’t felt like walking as much as I usually do. I have been struggling to keep on keeping on!

There are lots of things in my toolkit as it were that I know that can help me, but sometimes you just have to admit that the situation is pretty shit and that it’s ok to not be ok.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

It’s ok to admit that you are struggling. We all suffer at times. We all need help at times. I have had extra hugs off my husband and taken some time out to just let myself BE. I let myself have a good cry and felt better afterwards. If you are feeling like this then now is the time to increase your self-care.

For me, being in nature is deeply important. I find such comfort and solace being surrounded by trees. This week we’ve had a few sunny days with bright blue skies. I immediately felt so much better. I went for longer walks and really enjoyed listening to the birds, feeling the wind on my face, seeing the buds and catkins on the trees and the daffodils and crocuses.

This year more than ever Spring is such a welcome glimpse of hope. The light is at the end of the tunnel with the Government roadmap out of lockdown. I am really looking forward to seeing my family and friends again. I long to sit in a restaurant and enjoy a meal somebody else cooked!

Keep on keeping on

I attended a Mindfulness retreat recently and we did a Mindfulness on nature practice. I loved this quote:

“Breathing in the earth is part of me, breathing out I am part of the earth.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

I think sometimes we forget that we are part of the earth. Spending some time quietly being in the woods really helped me remember that.

Here’s some ideas for getting the most out of spending time in nature:

  • Pay attention to the colours, shapes and textures of the plants, trees and flowers.
  • Listen carefully to the birds, wind and any other sounds you can hear.
  • Feel your feet on the ground and notice the different sensations as you walk on grass, paths, mud etc.
  • See if you can see things you haven’t noticed before or see things differently if you are walking the in the same place.

Ask For Help

Remember that it is ok to ask for help. Do not compare yourself with others. We all have different experiences and resources. You do not need to be learning a new language, skill or being creative. It’s ok if you are just managing to get out of bed and make it through the day.

If you would like some support, I offer Distance Reiki and online Mindfulness or EFT sessions.

keep on keeping on

Just drop me an email and I will be pleased to help.

Keep on keeping on!
Louise

Face to Face Now Available!

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Face to Face Now Available!

I am pleased to announce that I can now see clients face to face again! Things will be a little different for awhile though. I have completed a Covid-19 awareness course and have created a policy and done a risk assessment.

Face to face PPE
Sample PPE

I will be wearing appropriate PPE and doing my best to ensure your safety. Hand sanitiser will be required before you enter the treatment room. I will provide a face mask for you to wear if you wish. I will be thoroughly cleaning the treatment room in between clients.

Cancellations

I have changed my terms and conditions so that you won’t be charged for late cancellations if you or someone you live with (or have been in contact with) develop Covid-19 symptoms.

If I feel ill or have symptoms of COVlD-19, I will self-isolate immediately and not come in to work. I will reschedule your appointment and refund you if you have already paid.

I will be asking for payment in advance via BACS/PayPal or via card on the day, to avoid handling cash as much as possible.

Availability

At present, appointments are only available in Exeter at the Massage and Wellbeing Centre. I am waiting for further details on availability in Okehampton at the Ockment Centre.

Full details will be available when you book an appointment. If you have any questions or are not sure about something, please drop me an email. I understand that you might have concerns and I am happy to email or talk to you to help put you at ease.

I am still offering online sessions, but my discounted rates for Distance Reiki and EFT/Mindfulness sessions will come to an end at the end of July. So book now if you want to take advantage of this special offer before it is too late!

I can’t wait to see you again!

Louise

Easy Now – Navigating Out of Lockdown

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I am finding it quite difficult to cope with the changing rules of lockdown. How about you? For a start Wales are behind which means I still can’t see my family back home.

It is all very strange. In some places the social distancing still seems to be ok and others people are clearly way too close to each other. This weekend the pubs can open and who knows what will happen once everyone has had a few drinks!

We think things seem back to normal and yet we still have to stay 2m apart and we have to wash our hands or sanitise them more often. We can now have a social bubble and stay overnight in someone else’s home. It is all very confusing and I am sure that a lot of people will still be staying home and staying safe.

Lockdown Compassion

Firstly I would recommend taking some time to sit quietly and acknowledge how you feel. You could write down your thoughts and feelings. Then spend some time exploring them further. You could practice some self compassion and be mindful of the sensations in your body and the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. Then you could do some tapping on anything that feels uncomfortable or upsetting.

Lockdown compassion

I am very disappointed that as a Therapist we still can’t see clients. I am so looking forward to being able to do a face to face session again. Zoom has been brilliant for me personally keeping in touch with family and friends and also being able to see clients and teach my Mindfulness classes. But it is harder work and quite exhausting after awhile!

On that note, please sign and share this petition to Boris Johnson asking for Complementary Therapists to be allowed back to work. Thanks.

Petition – Let Complementary Health Workers Back to Work

On a more positive note, I am very pleased the hairdressers are re-opening and am so looking forward to my hair cut!

Stay safe and well.

Louise

Coping with Corona Virus Isolation

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Being in a global Corona virus pandemic is a very strange experience! None of us have lived through a global pandemic like the one we find ourselves in. It’s ok to not feel ok. It’s ok if you’re feeling extra stressed and anxious. You might also be experiencing anger, frustration, fear, sadness and a whole gamut of other emotions.

As best you can, allow yourself to feel your emotions as they come up. I find that Mindfulness and EFT really help me in this respect. I can fully feel the emotions, let them be heard and then let them go again.

The more you resist, the more they persist! So do whatever you can to let them flow.

Corona Virus Self Care

Self care is essential at any time if you ask me. No more so than during the current Corona virus pandemic! Do what works for you. Here’s what is working for me:

  • Walking in nature every day (I am lucky to live near woods)
  • Movement/exercise several times a week – weights, yoga & Qi Gong
  • Mindfulness meditation and daily tapping
  • Regular Reiki self treatments
  • Eating well and enjoying occasional sweet treats (thanks to my step daughter for delicious brownies)
  • Reading and watching films/TV series
  • Writing in my journal / creativity
Corona virus daily walk
Daily walking nature fix

Be Kind

It is easy to judge other people whilst we are in this weird situation. People act strangely when they are anxious and scared. Not everyone will be in their right mind and they may be acting different from normal. Do try to be kind to everyone. We are all in this together and some of us cope better than others to changes that have been forced upon us.

Corona virus kindness

If you can help people in your local community then do that. Helping someone else can help us too. It could be something simple like checking in with your neighbour to see if they need anything when you go to the supermarket.

Free Resources

I have a few free meditations available for you to listen to and some EFT (tapping) videos. Check them out on YouTube:

Free meditations and Tapping videos

Take care and stay safe at home.
Louise