I’ve felt a nagging, unsettled sensation for the past couple of weeks. These are very strange, uncertain times we are living in and each day brings significant changes. Schools are closed for 6 weeks, shops and businesses are closed and starting today, restaurants and bars are closed too. All of this change and disruption to routine brings anxiety and stress, right? I’ve been thinking about what we do at home to bring a sense of calm to when we are feeling anxious or unsure and the following are our favorites.
Meditation: I’ve been trying to remember a short meditation each day. I don’t fight my rambling, distracted brain, instead I just remind myself to quiet down. A meditation necklace helps me to stay quiet. This website is a great place to start a meditation practice.
Make mala mediation necklace: A couple years ago my kids and I made meditation necklaces with our friend Andrea Curry and learned how to use them with a simple meditation chant: So Hum (which means “I am that” in Sanskrit.) With each breath, you move one bead on the necklace until you get all the way around. Its very calming and centering and my girls use their necklaces if they can’t fall asleep, if they are feeling worried or if they just want something quiet to do. I keep mine in my car and have used it in long ferry lines, stressful doctor appointments and insomnia-filled hotel stays.
The necklace has 108 beads with one guru bead and tassel, which helps to know where to start and stop. We used small wooden beads mixed with gemstones, and the kids used plastic pony beads like these. We made tassels and used a lava stone for the guru bead because it absorbs essential oils nicely. Want more help or information? This site explains it nicely.
Bubble Bath: We have only been out of school for 4 days and already the kids have taken 2 bubble baths. They started with face paint and ended with a bubbly tub. Don’t forget the power of a good bubble bath for the kids or for yourself! They love Honest Company bubble bath, both lavender and orange scented.
Bath Salts: I add epsom salts to my bath every time. I make my own salts too, my current favorite is a mixture of epsom salts, pink sea salt, baking soda and a few drops of essential oils- bergamot and lavender are my go-to right now. Cedarwood and Lavender are a calming combo too.
Mandala drawing: I have always found doodling and drawing to be very calming and soothing. I like to start in a corner of a sketchbook page and start drawing a series of mandala style shapes, filling in with patterns and designs as I go. Pinterest has plenty of ideas for ways to start!
List of Delights: I just finished Ross Gay’s Book of Delights and I can’t stop thinking about it. He wrote a short note every day about something that delighted him. I think it would be really special to write down one thing that delights me during this unsettled time. It would serve as a quick way to refocus, tune in to the natural world, pay more attention to the positive, and stay present. I encourage you to check out the book, either in print, ebook or audio and start to notice the parts of your day that delight you too.
A long walk: If you can get away, take yourself out for a 30-60 minute walk. Just start walking and turn around when you’ve been gone for half of your available time. There’s something very relaxing about getting myself moving, putting one foot in front of the other, especially if I can end at the beach.
Have something to add? I’d love to know your tried and true ways to calm yourself or your kids down in stressful times…