14 Soothing Thoughts to Give Your Brain—Instead of Your Usual Stressful Ones

As I write this, here in the U.S. we’re about four weeks into school closures and shelter-in-place ordinances for the COVID-19 pandemic.

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding myself experiencing wide swings of emotion on the daily. To be honest, hourly.

The Highs and Lows of COVID-19

One hour, I’m SO incredibly grateful to have my family safe at home with me.

The next hour, I’m feeling despair at, well… having my family (constantly) at home with me!

One hour, I’m feeling a tiny bit of euphoria inside my chest at the idea of never having to leave my house. #homebodyatheart

The next, I would give ANYTHING to drive my kid to a gymnastics class class or escape to the gym or a coffee shop for a few minutes.

One hour, I’m starting to think I can wrap my brain around this new, home-based life and my new responsibilities, like being a homeschool mom, finding ways to get my kids social connection while still keeping ourselves and others safe, and more.

I start to think maybe I can do this.

Then an hour later, my heart feels like it’s been torn wide open as I grieve for people who have lost family members, empathize with educators who have made herculean shifts on the drop of a dime, and worry about the state of the economy and the health of the men and women who work in essential services.

{Related: Opting Out of the Hardship Olympics: Everyone’s Pain is Valid}

We Can Hold Fear and Hope—At the Same Time

Those of us with sensitive hearts are bombarded right now with feelings of fear, stress, sadness, and worry—while at the same time catching glimmers of hope and happiness right where we are.

This duality is disconcerting, to say the least, but it’s reality for the time being.

One of the best things any of us can do is to carefully watch our thoughts. Our brains are going to be more tempted than ever to go down negative spirals, to dwell on all of the stress, fear, and heartache around us.

But let’s find positivity and hope in the midst of these dark times. Let’s give our brains different—better—thoughts instead.

14 Soothing Thoughts to Give Your Brain—Instead of Your Usual Stressful Ones

1. I have everything I need in this moment.
2. I have survived all of my hardest days.
3. I am open to the lessons life is teaching me.
4. I don’t judge or demean my own feelings. I let them in.
5. I’m both a masterpiece and a work in progress.
6. I have enough, I do enough, I AM enough. (via Shawn Fink)
7. I am strong, calm, and stable.
8. I’ve done hard things before. I can do it again.
9. I love and accept myself just as I am.
10. Everything will come together as it’s meant to.
11. Mountains don’t rise without earthquakes.
12. May I practice with what I’m given, rather than wish for something else.
13. There’s no emotion I can’t survive.
14. I’m doing the BEST I can with what I have, and it is enough.

I’d love to hear—Which of these thoughts speaks most to you right now?

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Stress & anxiety at an all-time high?

I don’t need to tell you that this is an INTENSE time, a time that comes with a thousand different challenges. One of the challenges I’m hearing about most is the constant, exhausting hum of stress and anxiety—and I want to give you the tools to fight back!

I’ve poured my heart into a brand-new guide called, “From Stressed to Centered: 8 Concrete Steps to Fighting Stress & Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Practicing thoughts like the fourteen above is a GREAT start, but friend, there is so much more you can do—and so much more peace to be found. (Yes, even now.) ❤️