The global challenge for March 2020...
and my thoughts on it
With coronavirus being discussed ad nauseam in all forms of media and the first newsletters on the topic now arriving in my inbox, I asked myself who, apart from all this information, might be interested in my view of the situation and how I am dealing with it.
From the calls, WhatsApp messages, and emails I have received over the last few days, I conclude that some people in my circle do want to know. And that is why I am now writing this newsletter.
Exactly one week ago, when I returned to Mattsee from Vienna in the evening, it slowly began to dawn on me that the situation might be more serious than I had initially thought. Even the jokes about scaremongering among my closest friends and family gradually became less frequent.
And although I had been expecting a revolutionary event for quite some time, I was still somewhat surprised when I realized that it was happening in this way.
I was also surprised by people's reactions—which were very positive in my circle.
There is no sense of panic, but rather concern, worry, and deep thoughtfulness. Fear creeps into the house through unnoticed cracks—figuratively speaking.
Mindfulness towards oneself and others is the order of the day. It should always be so, but right now it is particularly noticeable and visible.
When I consume too much news from the mainstream media and try to master the balancing act between being informed and being manipulated for myself personally, I feel that I have to be incredibly mindful of myself.
That's why I've been getting my information from alternative news channels for a long time now. At first, I tended to shy away from these in the current situation because I didn't want to hear conspiracy theories. I find it counterproductive to create additional feelings of fear and helplessness. Because regardless of whether the virus was planned and deliberately or naturally released into the world, it is here.
And we must now deal with this—and with the consequences of the drastic measures that our governments, I assume to the best of their knowledge and belief, are now taking.
What I find very helpful in this regard are well-founded statements from specialists—naturopaths and virologists, internists, retired public health officers—who are able to express their personal opinions (not the official line) publicly. These statements reflect what I—and certainly not only I—feel.
What helps me with this? – 10 points that help me live more mindfully
Conscious grounding 1-2 times daily
I do this best by pausing, focusing my attention on my feet, and imagining that I am a tree in a storm—stably rooted in the earth, with elastic trunk and branches, growing toward the light. If that doesn't help, I visualize a ray of sunshine with me standing in the middle of it—or the storm becomes a tornado and I stand in the eye of the storm.
The regular question: what is good for me and my body?
Don't just ask, act on it!
Several times a day, I consciously connect with myself. It only takes a minute or two. I close my eyes, take a few breaths, and become aware of my whole body. Where does it feel good, where does it feel tense, tight, uncomfortable? That's where I breathe. And I feel myself arriving in the here and now.
People like me, whose minds are constantly active, benefit particularly from this exercise. It allows me to feel what my body needs—sleep, exercise, fresh air, warmth, music, food—what?
Be in the here and now – and stay there!
I have been preaching this for years, recommending Eckhart Tolle's book, and realizing how difficult it is for me at the moment. So again: breathe, breathe, bring your wandering thoughts back to observing your breath....
When I am in the present moment, I know exactly what is important, who might need my help, and what needs to be done.
Sufficient sleep and rest
Apart from the fact that more and more studies are proving the importance of sufficient sleep for the proper functioning of our immune system, sleep is also very important for our emotional stability.
Even if we feel stable ourselves, we are influenced by the unrest caused by other people's worries, fears, and helplessness in the morphogenetic field. Our entire system has to expend more energy to maintain this stability. During sleep, it is not only our physical body that can recharge its batteries.
Stability through time spent in nature
Thanks to the trend of forest bathing, the calming, immune-boosting, and revitalizing effect of the forest on our bodies is now also being scientifically investigated. Even without these study results, we all know how healing just a few minutes in the forest can be for our bodies, minds, and souls. Let's make conscious use of this wherever we can!
I enjoy doing my daily meridian stretching exercises, qigong, or a little yoga outdoors. Ten minutes a day is better than nothing! When my body's energy system is harmonized by these exercises, I feel much better overall.
Spring sunshine for body and soul
The body's own production of vitamin D, which plays an essential role in our immune system, requires sufficient UV light. This means that as soon as the spring sun shines, it's time to get outdoors. In our latitudes, many people have very low vitamin D levels. I myself supplement with vitamin D3 and vitamin K during the winter months.
Spring herbs, sprouts, fresh juices, and wholesome food
I am using the time freed up by slowing down to collect wild herbs for breakfast bread, soups, or salads and to press fresh juice from vegetables (celery, beetroot, carrots, etc.) and fruit (apples, pears, oranges, pineapple—if I want to ignore the carbon footprint).
Sprouting lentils, mung beans, radish seeds, and the like is not rocket science; all you need is a pickle jar and a sieve. The sprouts are real nutrient bombs and wonderfully support our immune system.
Since I know what is hidden in many (semi-)finished products from the supermarket, I find it easy to cook with high-quality organic food in my everyday life. When I don't have much time, a baked potato with herb cream or a quick vegetable soup will do.
Long breaks between meals are not only good for me, but also for my immune system. I am increasingly skipping dinner, and it is doing me a world of good.
Exercise stimulates the metabolism and puts you in a good mood.
Now that I have more time, I am exercising more—and not just for my emotional and mental well-being! Exercise activates the entire metabolism—and thus also the body's immune system—harmonizes hormone balance, and, last but not least, the heat generated during exercise is good for us but bad for viruses.
Heat – heat – and more heat
Two warm baths or really hot showers per week, preceded by a cup of linden blossom tea and followed by getting straight under the covers and sweating it out! This replaces many a sauna and helps our immune system keep all kinds of pathogens at bay. Drinking hot teas (e.g., elderflower tea), hot onion and garlic soup, and much more also supports our immune system, especially in the mouth and throat area.
Conscious external contacts and mental hygiene
Stay informed, but don't overdo it. What is good for me – including when it comes to consuming news, films, and websites? Which conversations with other people build me up and give me energy? Who drags me down? Which thoughts weaken me?
When it comes to thoughts, I often find it helpful to write them down. If they weaken me, I have them on a piece of paper, can organize them, gain clarity, or consciously burn them. If they strengthen me, I can read them when I need encouragement.
Many people now do this automatically: focusing on everything they have and feeling gratitude for it. Keeping a gratitude journal for the near future is certainly a wonderful idea.
I am truly grateful that I can live in the countryside and appreciate the slower pace of life, the mindfulness, and the natural sense of community in my surroundings. I am confident that we, as humanity, have the ability to emerge stronger from this challenging situation. If we want to. So, let's do it together!