Hiya, <<First Name>>!
And a warm welcome to Newsletter 2!
Happy Good Friday... I think? The date tells me it’s so, but the absence of chocolate eggs is sadly quite obvious.
Where have the last couple of weeks gone? I’ll hazard a guess, in a flurry of online pub quizzes, banana bread and sheer adoration for the NHS?
Same.
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If anything has come from this 'more time than I know what to do with’ situation, I am fully moisturised (even my legs) I’ve turfed out and reorganised every cupboard, and I’ve become more acquainted with the foreheads of family and friends than ever before.
So, what’s going on with me?
I’m reporting live from my garden, new uniform of joggers and oversized tee on, currently wondering whether airport drinking rules really do apply in isolation?
Almost two weeks ago I was furloughed.
Unsurprisingly, working in marketing for the house building industry is surplus to requirement right now. And, despite seeing it coming, it still sent me into a spin.
What would I do between 9 and 5? My last grip on reality completely gone, I felt like a feather floating in the breeze.
In an attempt to claw back some structure, I’ve stuck to a routine to keep me sane: daily workouts (for those banging endorphins) meditation, journaling, and list writing.
But one thing in particular has made a huge impact, and that’s been shifting my focus from fear to hope.
As queen Maya Angelou so beautifully said:
"Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay."
We're living through a heart-breaking challenge none of us have seen before. But one thing I truly believe is that hope is the tool to combat this fear.
When we’re wound up in a ball of anxiety, it’s the antidote we need.
As humans, we crave control. And with a lack of control brings uncertainty, which in turn, breeds fear.
This response stems back to the dawn of time when, to keep us safe, we learned to see the alarm in every changing situation. So, we’re frightened of what we don’t know.
But in reality, the past has shown us how infinitely capable we are.
We doubt our capacity to cope when our experiences tell a different story.
We’ve come this far. We’ve muddled through every bad day that got us here. We're resilient. We can heal and grow.
We CAN do this.
Centering on hope allows us to embrace all the uncertainty the future brings. By changing our perspective, our focus shifts from the problem to the solution, and we see situations openly.
As Deepak Chopra (Dr. and alternative medicine advocate) says:
“Before, you are in the dark. But when you expand your consciousness with awareness, you turn on the light.”
This isn’t sugar-coating a situation, but using hope to gain a mindful awareness of it, making us more inclined to take positive action, knowing we are more than capable of dealing with it.
We just have to look for the hope.
🌷
Aaaand, here’s to a happy, hope-filled newsletter take 2! Check out this week’s isolation entertainment, inspirational lady, and, of course, good news stories.
Stay well, friends. We’re all in this together.
I hope you enjoy,
Love,
Lizzie xx
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Tip Time
Keep a Journal
If you aren't already, now is the time to get scribbling.
Journaling is scientifically proven to boost productivity, increase happiness AND it can help you sleep better....sold yet? All you need is a pen, paper and 5 minutes a day.
So what do I write?
- Gratitude list (people who do this on a regular basis are reportedly 25% happier than those who don't)
- Long term goals
- Intentions (unlike goals these are motivational and inspirational. eg. I intend to show more resilience, love unconditionally or be a light to others)
- Pop down your emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Get it all out
- Your to-do list for the day
You don't have to do all of the above, just pick a few to feel the benefits. And keep it short - this helps it seem less of a task and you'll feel more inclined to keep at it!
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Isolation Entertainment
Running Meditation 🏃🏼♀️ - If you fancy something that’ll stop you counting the minutes until you can run home, check this playlist out.
Follow @emilyatak on Insta - She’s home alone, she loves a selfie, and she’s usually on the wine. Funny lass who will keep your spirits up.
Fleabag the stage show 🎭 – Waller-Bridge fans, REJOICE! For a teeny £4, you can watch the original one-woman show from the comfort of your own home. Plus, all proceeds go to charity to support projects connected to COVID-19.
Treat yo'self to an immunity-boosting smoothie - On your next exciting trip to the shops, why not scavenge some fruit and top up your health?
Take a tour of the Harry Potter: A History of Magic FROM YOUR BED - Grab your wand, Hermione, you’re invited to explore all the magic it took to create HP courtesy of The British Library and J.K. Rowling.
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Woman on the radar
If you follow me on Instagram (If not, wait what. Find me here 🌞) you’ll know I am a mega girls’ girl. So much so, in homage to my fellow ladies, each newsletter will feature an inspirational, awesome af female. It’s scientifically proven that powerful women inspire power in women, so here we go…
Dr. Hazel Wallace
NHS Doctor and Health Influencer
My girl crushing continues this week with one of my favourite (and most educational!) Instagram finds.
Let me introduce Dr. Hazel Wallace, or @thefoodmedic (as her 452k Insta followers will recognise her).
Junior NHS Doctor, best-selling author, personal trainer, blogger and podcast host - when she’s not supporting patients as a nutritionist, she’s serving up super healthy recipes, workout tips and health-spo on social media. Oh, and she’s completed 3 degrees. There’s not a whole lot this chick can’t do.
Originally from Ireland, Hazel now lives and works in Central London as a locum doctor, sharing her time between educating herself and others on the importance of health; her initial interest catalysed by the tragic death of her father from a stroke when she was a teen.
Whilst in medical training, she began The Food Medic, which blossomed from a small-time blog to a wellness platform aimed to educate, inspire and to ‘help everyone to achieve better health.’ With information on sleep, stress management, diet, and exercise, she aims to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and the modern lifestyle.
And, if you're looking for a trustworthy source for COVID-19 updates, she’s your Doc. Head to her Insta for government updates, health tips and easy-to-digest answers to all your Corona questions.
“Nothing is too big. Nothing is unachievable.”
- Dr. Hazel Wallace
Follow her on Insta here.
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The Science of Wellbeing - Yale University
Guys, this is HUGE.
Yale University's most popular course is now available FOR FREE online. This 10-week course busts misconceptions on what we think makes us happy and provides scientifically proven (and simple!) strategies to set us on the path to lasting fulfillment. Sound great? Find happiness here 🙌
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☀️ Day Brighteners ☀️
Posi news stories to perk you up...
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- Pub, anyone? 🍻 Social Isolation? No problem.
Missing Friday night beers down the pub? Find out more on the virtual boozer tackling loneliness in lockdown.
- Yay! Experts say the ocean can be restored to its former glory in 30 years 🐋
Read on for more on the rebounding of ocean wildlife, and how, if we keep protecting it, it will come back.
- To infinity and beyond! 🌙
Check out how this chap from Bedfordshire pulled off an out of this world proposal... by sending the ring into space.
- Wearing algae? It's called fashion, darling 👗
Fashion designers are on a mission to create carbon-neutral garms. Find out how you might be wearing mushrooms sooner than you think here.
- Listen up! Music CAN change your mood for the better 🎧
13 minutes to chill out and 9 minutes to feel happier, find out what you should be listening to for your mind here.
- Lighten the load with a little laughter 😂 ...
Click the link to check out the funny vids that won the internet this week...
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Affirmations for the days ahead
✨
What you think, you become. So, say it with me:
- When I choose hope, anything is possible.
- Great things are coming.
- I choose to find the positive in any situation.
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On that note, I’ll leave you with this from our girl, Britney.
Keep smiling and see you next time 💪🏻
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