Hello Dear Friends

I hope you are well and that you are finding positive ways to make the best of this time.

As the pandemic and shutdowns drag on, we have learned lessons that can serve us well in the future. One clear lesson is that your health needs to be a priority, not only to help you survive viruses like this one and the flu but to help you live the vital life you want for yourself.

Research reveals that many people who have died from COVID-19 have had one or more serious health problems such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Mercola shared the insight that each of these conditions has roots in insulin resistance. The good news is that this condition can be greatly improved over time by a proper diet, weight loss, and appropriate amounts of exercise.

(end of May update) Although much uncertainty still surrounds the COVID-19 trends for the months ahead, there are bright spots on the horizon. Overall, numbers of new cases are down, myths and misunderstandings are being cleared up, and both pharmaceuticals and natural supplements are demonstrating positive results for prevention and treatment.

But that’s not all I see that’s positive. It is encouraging to see how resilient we humans are and how we come together to help each other in these difficult times.

Life looks very different than it did three months ago. While it may have taken us a little time to adjust to a home-based lifestyle, many people have discovered that they prefer it. They are taking advantage of their newfound freedom from schedules and incessant running around in favor of spending quality time with loved ones, reaching out to those in need of a friend, taking stock of their lives, and focusing on what is essential. They are embracing a new awareness of what makes them happy (and it isn’t more stuff, although toilet paper was high on the list for a while :)) On the whole, we are cooking more, baking more, reading books, meditating, taking walks, planting a garden, and sprucing up our living spaces.

Ideas about wellness are also undergoing a similar transformation. In addition to taking time to contemplate how we want to live our lives going forward and what really matters to us, we are learning that taking care of ourselves is not just about buying the next best designer food or fitness item or going to the gym. Instead, we are getting “back to basics” of stress relief, nutritious home cooked meals, living in more sustainable ways, getting enough sleep, practicing generosity, doing what brings us joy, and at-home exercise (gardening and house cleaning count).

How to Manage Stress

A recent Harris Poll showed that more than half of American adults feel like they have less control of their situations and are balancing more now than before the pandemic. Anxiety and stress levels are up.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to boost your immunity, such as eating healthy food, getting enough exercise and quality sleep, and keeping stress at bay.

Some of the best ways to manage daily stress and anxiety are to:

**Take breath breaks throughout the day. Close your eyes. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Breathe in peace, breathe out worry.

**Connect with loved ones and friends from a distance. Have meaningful conversations by phone or video chat if you aren't in the same home.

**Be respectful of the people you now spend a lot more time than usual with. Find creative ways to give yourself and them the alone time or quiet time needed so you don't all get on each other's nerves.

**Practice gratitude and appreciation for the people in your life, everything good you can think of, and everything positive, such as food and shelter, that you take for granted.

**Spend time outdoors. Sit outside and read. Go for a walk or bicycle ride. Garden.

**Practice mindful stress relief exercises such as chi gong, tai chi, yoga

**Laugh, sing, play fun games, dance.

**Stay positive. Support our healthcare providers and government representatives with positive thoughts, prayers, and comments. Say "no" to jumping on the negative hate bandwagon prevalent on social media. 20/20 vision is always best in the rearview mirror.

**Learn more ways to relieve stress and anxiety naturally.>While the immediate focus at the onset of staying home was on worry and numbing out, I'm happy to observe and participate in a more recent trend - using this time to connect at deeper levels with others, improved self-care, and evaluating how we can live better individually and collectively on the planet.

To this end, my inbox has been flooded with emails on personal and planetary evolution, spiritual growth, sustainable eco-friendly living, and interconnections among us all. I love it - although it is a bit overwhelming at times - in a good way :)

And do share any words of wisdom you've gleaned from this experience. I'd love to hear from you and see what you're up to.

Namaste,

Val Silver