Don’t miss our earlier issues! OTY 15/05/2020 and OTY 01/05/2020 are still available.
Eynsham-Lockdown
There are some wonderful posts on eynshamlockdown.org. Well worth a read! Please send your contributions to Lucy Badger or Sarah Medina. Some people say they worry about things like spelling and grammar - but please don't worry about that! We can quickly edit for you as we upload for you!
Anxious? Here's help
Thanks to Kristie Waller for her sound advice on helping to reduce anxiety levels during these uncertain times.
Will schools restart before the end of the school year? Will universities deliver face-to-face lectures? With so many unknowns, it is understandable that anxiety levels may be high. It can be helpful to focus on things we can control, rather than worry about the things we cannot control. We can control things like: how much news we engage with; how much time we spend on social media; our own social distancing; and developing a positive outlook. If you do feel overwhelmed or a sense of panic, this 30-second reset activity may help:
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Stop and acknowledge your feelings, emotions, body sensations.
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Say them out loud - be kind - remind your brain and body that this is a normal response in a time of threat.
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Steady yourself - feet on the ground, a hand on the stomach or a hand on the heart.
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Take a deep breath in - breathe into your stomach - feel it balloon out.
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Breathe out fully - allowing your out-breath to be longer than your in-breath - feel your stomach contract.
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Repeat 3 times or as long as you need until your heartbeat starts to slow down.
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Now notice what sensation in your body feels good - is it the in-breath? Your slowing heart? Your shoulders releasing? Your jaw relaxing? Whatever it is, focus on increasing this positive sensation.
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Look around you - what brightens this moment? Blue sky? Sun? Flowers in a vase? A tree outside the window? A picture of a loved one? A happy memory? A nice picture? A piece of music? Whatever it is, focus on this now.
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Know that in this present moment, you are safe and you can be calm.