Keeping mentally fit in a time of global pandemic is a challenge for us all. In 2020 I found myself losing energy, sleep and focus. So I developed a way to stay mentally healthy, a kind of work out for the soul. I call this the Pivot Point method. It is a process to help in the management of big, dramatic change. It has four parts, jumping, turning, landing and moving.
- Jump- To stay healthy I have had to let go of the way things used to be and jump into a new way of living. This is like getting in a hot air balloon. You have to throw out what’s holding you down and rise up to embrace a new space. I think the people struggling the most right now are still trying to hold onto things the way they used to be, even when the world has changed beyond recognition. A technique that helped me jump is to visualise your day before you live it. See yourself moving through meetings, zoom calls and decisions with more ease and flow than if you were stuck in the past. This can free our mind up to live a more positive and energised story.
- Turn- Do one thing each day to mix up your routine. If you go for walks, start and finish at different points. Change your screensaver. Get up an hour earlier and do some exercise and go to bed an hour earlier. There is so much unpredictability and stress in the world right now that taking back control over small aspects of life can help us feel less helpless.
Instead of a business as usual approach we need to turn and embrace our feelings. Try to suspend judgement or self- criticism if you’re feeling sad or find your mood going up and down. Take time every day to check in with how you feel and roll with it. It is important to accept how you feel. Some people find it helpful to write a page in their journal each morning, to get the feelings on the page.
In the turn part of pivoting it is important to stay in touch with friends. We may all be tired of speaking to screens but it’s important to resist the tendency to hibernate. So schedule in times to play silly games with friends and family. We need allies now more than ever.
- Land- There is so much loss and grief in the world that we need to find the wins where we can. Decide on one achievable win a day. This could just be getting out of bed. It may be making a tough phone call or chairing a staff meeting. When I complete these wins I celebrate. I actually play some dance music, get up on my feet and dance. Part of landing is to have someone witness you do it. So think about who your cheerleaders are that you can call up and celebrate with. Marking the little wins will give you focus and decrease stress.
- Move- This refers to building daily habits to keep us resilient in the face of pressure. You may choose 20 min online yoga or to go for a walk. You may choose meditation to settle your mind. I would recommend doing something regularly that puts you in touch with your physicality. In my experience, mental health issues like anxiety or low mood are often linked to inactivity and being ‘to in our heads’. Getting into physical movement takes pressure off our thinking and boosts energy and resilience.
Question: Which idea from the Jump/Turn/Land/Move pivot will you use today?
By Andre Radmall
Andre Radmall MA MSc BA is a Psychotherapist and Life Coach who has been in private practice for twenty years. Go to www.andreradmall.com
Andre was manager and group therapist at Priory Hospital North London and a Psychotherapist at Rafan House in Harley Street. He specialises in addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and stress, relationship issues & family therapy and issues of self worth.
Andre was a manager and group therapist at Priory Hospital North London and a Psychotherapist at Rafan House in Harley Street. He specialises in addictions, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and stress, relationship issues & family therapy and issues of self worth and has been in private practice for twenty years I would like to offer Andre Radmall – former psychiatric nurse, psychologist and relationship counsellor. His new book on ‘How to pivot your life story’ is due to be published Spring 2021.
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You can listen to him on his Pivot Points podcast: https//podpage.com/pivot-points/
