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Hello & Welcome Recovery Warriors, Friends, Visitors!
Many of us, like myself, have been seeing all the headlines, reading news, Facebook posts about Toilet Paper for sale and on and on. Then you have the internet, watching all the updates on TV about the CoronaVirus and quite frankly is putting a boatload of fear out in the world.
In an era of medical technology we live in today, most of us are pretty proactive about our health and well-being as media can be a hound in adding more panic or stress as we all go about our daily lives about “what’s happening” now and happening around the world which makes things seem more magnified …
So I am sharing this Special Post by my dear friend, mentor and recovery coach Ms. Maureen Scanlon. She has posted on her amazing blog and I am re-sharing it that just may ease some of the burdens of getting all caught in the hype of media and the CoronaVirus. Media is adding more fear to many and stress as this pandemic rides out.
Written by Life Coach Maureen, I too actually had a wee little session with her yesterday morning due to my own stress, mental health, and anxiety beginning to rise over all the news! I have tried to shut it out but becoming harder and harder to accomplish!
But, as usually, Maureen put me at ease and I hope her post will do the same for all who stop by in the next few days.
Just be proactive with common sense about your health and don’t get caught up in ALL the MEDIA HYPE! ~Advocate, Catherine Lyon
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Why COVID-19 Plays on Our Worst Human Qualities …
Posted:
As we all navigate the current pandemic situation, let’s reflect on the facts:
- The virus has incurred 36 deaths nationwide in the US.
- There has been a 3.4% mortality rate worldwide; Italy being the main contributor at 1441 deaths total (due to the high population of elderly)
- This is less than the SARS and MER viruses from years prior that were NOT declared a Pandemic…
Let’s put into perspective that in the US, 1650 people die each day from Cancer, 360 people die from stroke, 229 die each day from diabetes, and 102 die each day in a car accident! And for those maintaining recovery surely know about the opioid epidemic happening as the CDC has estimated the National Drug Overdose Deaths—Number Among All Ages, by Gender, 1999-2018. More than 67,300 Americans died from a drug-involved overdose in 2018, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids. Keep in mind, this virus is just at a pandemic as we work to stop the spreading.
I personally view this virus and the media coverage of it, like the relative that is always in your business, that causes drama in the family or they don’t know what else to do with themselves. Their normal way of coping is only when crisis, drama or turmoil is happening.
Unfortunately, our subconscious minds are just storage tanks and we read, listen and absorb everything we hear and see. Then our amygdala, or emotional brain, takes over. We, as humans, are wired to protect ourselves from harm. The instant our safety is perceived as threatened, we go to any lengths to stop the discomfort.
This is, unfortunately, when our worst qualities come out. We focus only on the reality of what we are surrounded by and witnessing while forgetting that we are able to thrive in spite of what we see. Self-preservation takes over, inability to focus on others and a “do whatever it takes” mentality ensues. We lose our manners and patience with one another.
Here are some ways to stay in a place of peace, alignment, and joy in these trying times:
Just the facts, ma’am– Try to only get information from the official sources. Listening to a wide variety of information can cause confusion and panic. Stay focused on your immediate community and neighborhood, fearing deaths across the world is not valuable to your state of calm.
Normalcy is key– Although some things will be disruptive, try to maintain as much normalcy as possible. This is especially important if you have children. If your school or employer has closed or changed, see this as an opportunity for a staycation. Go take picnics and hikes. Go fly kites or have a scavenger hunt. Don’t sit at home cooped up waiting for doomsday. Don’t stop visiting with people while using caution, your body has an amazing way of building immunity.
Think outside the box
As we see the empty shelves at the stores from all of the panic buying, figure out other ways to provide for your necessities. My husband, who is a very calm, logistical thinking man, was headed to work the other day at 5am, decided to stop into a store near his job, and walked in just as they were stocking the shelves. No crowd, no pushing, and he just picked up a couple of packages and left the rest for others.
A friend of mine stated he went to a store that sells hardware and tools, he walked around and saw that they also sold household cleaning supplies and there were plenty on hand in opposition to the grocery and big box stores. Search online, there are companies that sell everything from cleaning supplies to paper goods. Maybe even try a small business that sells organic or vegan products.
How about this?
When you go to the store and buy supplies, buy one for yourself and one for a friend or elderly neighbor. Make a meal and bring it to someone in need. Shouldn’t difficult times bring out the best in us? Shouldn’t we be helping one another, taking care of those who need help and assistance? As we know the elderly are the most vulnerable of this virus and those with other major medical ailments are the most at risk.
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Healthy habits
The best defense against any virus is to have healthy habits. Make some new healthy meals, try new recipes, exercise, and do some deep cleaning of your home space. The obvious one being hand-washing, should be done more frequently. Use caution with the closeness and vicinity of people, maybe refrain from person-to-person touch, and use hand sanitizer.
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Serenity now
The most important of all is your state of mind. Like attracts like (Law of Attraction) so panic and fear bring more, peace and tranquility bring more of that energy. Set up a peaceful place for meditation and relaxation. Watch videos on motivation, mindfulness, and happiness. You are the creator of your mindset and the traffic cop for where your thoughts travel.
By spreading peace and calm, we can dissipate the panic and fear. Let’s all make it our goal to “Just Breathe” until this too, shall pass….
Love and blessings,
Life Coach Maureen
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ABOUT MAUREEN SCANLON and HER BOOK:
Maureen Scanlon is the founder and CEO of Maureen Scanlon Life Coaching. She is an author, relationship expert, motivational speaker, positive change integrator, and spiritual coach who has successfully helped many people, from experienced professionals to young adults, make positive changes to overcome past experiences and negative thinking. When Maureen is not working to change the world, you can find her at home relaxing in Mesa, Arizona, with her husband, Dennis, and her furry babies, Jade and Brodie. She is also the mother of three adult children and grandmother to three grandchildren whom she adores.
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My Dog Is More Enlightened Than I Am:
Most of us go through our daily routines oblivious to the beauty of life and others around us—oblivious of the impact we have on the world. So it’s only natural that we consider patterning ourselves after our pets! These beautiful furry creatures are fully connected to their highest selves while giving unconditional love to those who cherish and care for them. By taking our lead from the animals in our lives, we learn how to live our best and fullest lives as well.
My Dog Is More Enlightened Than I Am examines the ways we all struggle and experience difficulties in our journey. You will learn to understand the lessons and meaning behind each past moment you have endured thus far and how to change your mindset and focus on the change you can make. You will come to admire the ways our animals live a life of purpose and how to be more like them.
This heartfelt, enlightening guide also offers tips on relaxation, spontaneity, developing an appreciation for our differences, caretaking, and nurturing relationships. Readers will feel a renewed sense of well-being and knowledge of how to embrace the journey like the pure souls of our furry companions.
Come and connect with Maureen on Social Media and stay in a Happier Space in Life!
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her Book on Amazon, Linkedin,…
Bet Free Recovery Now...Sharing Hope, Help & Recovery From Gambling Addiction, News & Resources. 
Reblogged this on "Cat Lyon's Reading and Writing Den" and commented:
Hello Readers, Authors, and Friends!
I am choosing to share my new recovery blog post here too as well even if you don’t maintain recovery, many of us have underlying medical conditions or like myself? I have mental health challenges that with all the media HYPE about this virus has made my anxiety a wee bit high. Yes, I understand the importance of being informed and that other STATES other than my own in Arizona are being restricted and some like the Bay area are now “Sheltered In Place,” but we need not panic or be filled with stress and fear. Both are not healthy for our overall Medical and Mental Emotional Health … I work from home and my hours will remain the same here at the Reading Den and at lyonmediaservices.com …Blessings!
CAT LYON
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