Hey ,
Listen, I know things feel… heavy right now. Like maybe you're wearing invisible ankle weights? It’s not just you. I’m seeing it with my clients, I’m feeling it in my body, and honestly, it's everywhere. Personally, I realized this weekend that the physical symptoms of anxiety and uncertainty have activated some PTSD from 2020 and while I'm grateful for this awareness, I'm frustrated that my nervous system is here...again. Thankfully, I've got more tools this time.
In my last email I wrote about the benefit of engaging in activities that connect us to community - the hobbies, relationships, and basic self-care that connects us to our values. Well, when the circumstances of the world shake up our sense of belonging, it can create a domino effect, with hope receiving the brunt of the impact.
Hope is more than just a romantic idea. It plays a major role in activating neural pathways linked to motivation and problem-solving, essentially rewiring your brain for recovery. So when it falls prey to a rapid fire attack on our liberties, it's natural for hope to suffer a deficit. When hope dips, mental clarity becomes elusive, like trying to focus through a haze, making even simple decisions feel overwhelming.
That work project you've been trying to complete? Hope has a hand in that.
The motivation to get up and take a walk? There's hope in those steps.
The call you made to your friend, even though you really wanted to watch another episode of The Pitt? Hope, all the way.
So, how do we get that hope back when it feels like it's clocked out for good? Like most things in health, it's not about some grand, sweeping gesture. It’s the small, consistent things that remind your brain and body that you're still here, still capable, and still connected. For myself and my clients right now, it's about building a recovery plan for your hope, just like you would for your muscles after a hard workout.
Think of it like this: if you were recovering from an injury, you might rest for a while, but sooner or later you'd have to start stretching, moving and getting that area of the body ready to meet the world again. You might offer it a brace of support and maybe even see a PT for extra help. And hope recovery is no different.
We start by acknowledging that it's okay to feel depleted. We then work to remind ourselves our ability to motivate and problem-solve - even if we don't believe it at first. One of my dearest clients once told me that she lived by the words "Fake it till you feel it!" When I told her that was genius, she said "Well, you said it to me, so you're the genius!" 😂 Sometimes, we have to give ourselves a little push to get the motor running again, right?
This could be as simple as:
- Moving your body: Even gentle movement like stretching or a walk can help.
- Connecting with others: A real, honest conversation can do wonders.
- Engaging in something you enjoy: A hobby, a creative pursuit, anything that brings you joy.
- Practicing mindfulness: Even a few minutes of quiet reflection can help clear the fog.
- Prioritizing sleep: A rested brain is a hopeful brain.
These feel-good activities are actually scientifically backed ways to replenish your hope reserves. While your physical recovery plan might include what you eat, or the amount of rest you get, your hope recovery plan directly addresses the neuroplasticity of your brain, helping it's functions as well. Pretty cool, right?
While building your toolkit, it's important to remember that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression will also need to be taken into consideration as part of this process. As someone who lives with these conditions, however, I will say that having a recovery plan for hope is an integral part of my weekly health support.
This process is about finding what works for you, what brings you back to yourself. Because honestly, we all need a little help remembering who we are when the world feels like it’s trying to tell us otherwise.
To close, I'll say this: when life feels out of control, sometimes the best thing you can do is get it all out on in the open. I invite you to book a free, 30 minute clarity call with me to do just that. No obligation, just a chat. Link below.
Living Well With You, Not At You,
Coach JZ
Next Steps Health Action Plan - $47
Wouldn’t it be great if someone could just point you in the right direction to take the next step?
You might just need a motivational nudge or help weeding through all the things you want to do to support your health, but aren’t sure where to begin. Life is busy and you just need something simple to get you going!
That's exactly why I created the Next Steps Health Action Plan.
Here’s how it works:
- Purchase the plan.
- You’ll be immediately brought to a page where your comprehensive form lives.
- When you’re ready, you’ll answer a series of detailed questions about various areas of your health and well-being. Plan on about 30 minutes to complete the form.
- Once I receive your completed form, I’ll review it in detail and record a personalized video for you with feedback, reflections and questions for your considerations. You’ll also receive a tool to develop your next actions along with some suggestions for a simple plan to move forward.
- Your customized materials and plan will be sent to you within 2 business days of submission.
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