At the Joanne Langione Dance Recital this past weekend, at which my 3 daughters performed, mother after mother told me that it was a very difficult week for them. What was in the air? Admittedly, it was an extraordinarily difficult week for me.
Fortunately, there was this little voice inside of me that said, “keep it together because this is going to pass.” I took 6 very important steps to carry me through it:
1. I went with the dark mood instead of fought against it. We often forget that emotions pass. Instead we make them our identity and become that emotion. No matter how painful it got this past week, I sat with it with the confidence that an important lesson would emerge from it. Instead of the painful emotional lasting many days, it only lasted 3, and I emerged learning a profound lesson: that no matter what anyone did to me, I’m still a sweet person who loves my children, friends, family and community dearly.
2. I armored myself against the binge. As we all know, in our weakened states, we have a tendency to cause destruction to our bodies through smoking, drinking, taking drugs and/or binge eating, to name a few. Since my go to foods are those with a crunch, I made certain my cabinets were full of healthy foods, like Trader Joes Seaweed Snacks, Quinoa and Bean Chips and Falafel Chips, that would satisfy my desire in my weakened emotional state. As a result, I emerged without gaining a pound.
3. I increased my consumption of fresh, organic JOOS to 3 per day. Stress sucks the nutrients right out of us, which leaves us feeling even lower and depleted. I still had to go about my day taking care of my children and running our company, which made consuming the highest quality plant rich nutrients to combats the heightened stress essential for me.
4. I surrounded myself with loving people who supported me through it. I expressed gratitude to them daily.
5. I made certain to exercise daily, even if it was just for 10 minutes. My schedule is so busy with 4 kids and running a business that it can be very difficult to find time to exercise. Often, too, the last thing we want to do when we’re feeling low is exercise, particularly because we’re feeling so depleted. As we know, sitting around makes us feel even worse. Exercise stimulates endorphins and helps our moods.
6. I reread Lovingkindness by Sharon Saltzberg. This book helps put life back into perspective and reminds us that it’s all going to be OK. Other suggestions are books by Pema Chodron, Ram Das, Jack Kornfield, to name a few.
The good news is, the week is done and I’m back on my feet. I didn’t gain a pound, despite the temptation to binge, and I emerged feeling a little more wiser.
Feeling low? It is that much more imperative to consume a diet high in plant rich foods to get yourself back on track!
