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  • DRHY

Take Pause

Updated: Apr 27, 2020

The world is experiencing a pandemic.


Under most circumstances, the above sentence would be used as a metaphor or hyperbole. Not to be taken literally. Unfortunately, this sentence is meant to be taken literally today. Humankind is currently undergoing a viral pandemic.


Our day-to-day lives have been turned upside down. We may be essential workers at the frontlines of a figurative war zone, taking all the precautions we can to not bring illness home to our families. Or we may be non-essential workers sent on leave from our jobs, crunching numbers, trying to figure out how we will pay next month's bills. We may be working from home, not sure how to meet our children's needs while they are transitioning to learning from home. We may be stay-at-home moms trying to balance the "blessing" of extra time with our spouses without knocking back too many glasses of wine. I may or may not be speaking from experience...


In addition to these changes, and more, the news stories we are fed are more disheartening than inspiring. Misinformation abounds. Government action and politics have split the country into two groups of opposing views. Oh, that's right... That's nothing new.


I am not here to subject you to yet another politicized COVID-19 opinion paper. Rather, my intent is to discuss what it means to "take pause". Read on.



In the context of our current state of affairs, what do I mean by "take pause"? Take pause from our newfound stressors in our newfound situations. Take pause from news and social media. Take pause from reviewing our bank statements. Maybe even take pause from the family members we love so dearly, because, let's face it, we all need alone time after being in such close quarters for days on end.


I'm not talking about a grand amount of time here. Take however long you have, or however long you need. Maybe you are working extended hours as a nurse and you only have five minutes to spare. Take pause. Maybe you are home, not able to work, and have more time than you would ever care to have. Take pause.


When you take pause, identify what has been neglected or missing since your world shifted. I suggest first checking in with your breath. You know, the thing COVID-19 is reminding all of us to count as our biggest blessing right now. Use your breath as a tool to fill your cup - mentally, energetically, and spiritually. Remind your body, mind, and soul how to work in unison. Practice it. Own it. Eventually, you will find that your breath is no longer neglected. It simply becomes reincorporated into your daily routine again. Then thank the powers that be that your body is able to relish in this simple life-sustaining pleasure.


Below, you will see a short breathing guide, courtesy of the company Calm. They also have an app I suggest you try.


In good health,

DRHY






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