Thread by @BStulberg

My regular Sunday evening thread about personal health and well-being amidst COVID.

This week's topics:
-Patience
-Mood and expectations
-Non-stop news cycle
-Challenging emotions (fear, anger, and helplessness)
-Basic health and immunity

Follow here if interested...1/

Been having lots of conversations with people about patience.

We need to show restraint. Go slow to go fast.

You know what happens if—because you feel good early on—you start picking up the pace in the first few miles of a marathon? You implode later.

Let's not do that. 2/

Earlier this week my man @ASlavitt said, "Don't measure yourself by pre-COVID standards." He's right!

Research shows that happiness = reality minus expectations.

When the reality dramatically changes best to change your expectations too, otherwise you'll be extra miserable. 3/

Acceptance is hard. But it's a lot better than denial or delusion.

Acceptance is not passive resignation.

It is working where you are. Now where you want to be. Not where you wish you'd be. Not where you thought you'd be. But where you are.

That's the key to going forward. 4/

It's important to be informed but constantly checking news can cause anxiety and create illusion that you are doing something meaningful when you aren't.

Most people can get by checking no more than once or twice a day. (Here, some tips via @judbrewer.) 5/thegrowtheq.com/step-away-from…

Speaking of doing something meaningful...it's useful to separate doing for the sake of doing versus doing that aligns with your core values.

There is a time and place for both. But the former tends to be a numbing agent, just distraction. The latter is more nourishing. 6/

Moving to hard emotions: Your fears usually tell you what you love. Let them guide you.

Scared of isolation—use digital tools to stay in touch.

Scared of losing loved ones—be extra present with them (virtually if you can't in person).

Scared of dying—show up fully for life. 7/

Helplessness sucks. Everyone I've talked to wants to do more, even physicians. But all we can do is what we can.

Ask yourself what you can do. Then do that. And then a little bit more.

And remember, the most important thing we ALL can do is #StayHome. And be kind. 8/

Anger sucks too. Whatever anger you are feeling do everything you can to channel it into productive action.

Vote for competent leaders. Volunteer for them if you can.

Sitting around being angry all the time does nothing but harden your heart. (Trust me, I know.) 9/

Basic health and immunity stuff. I sound like a broken record but it's important:

-Move your body regularly; though now is not a time to redline yourself
-Eat whole foods
-Lay off the booze
-Sleep as best you can (see: checking news less above)

That's 99.9 percent of it. 10/

Resources that helped me this week:

My one-stop shop to stay informed about virus itself is @ASlavitt.
For self-compassion @DennisTirchPhD.
For healthy food stuff @ShalaneFlanagan.
Long-time wisdom @kristatippett, @RyanHoliday.
Challenging my thinking @paulg, @JamesClear. 11/

And remember: all the above is a lot easier said than done. Think about it as an ongoing practice.

Some days will be better than others.

The only goal is trying to gradually improve.

I'm walking this path with you. Shooting 60 percent is a good day. Stay connected.

(End.)