New Year, New Feelings: Finding Peace Amid the Chaos

We all showed up the first week of 2021 hopeful that the challenges and heightened emotions of last year were behind us and we could start anew. But almost as soon as we began to settle into our daily routines after the holidays, new headlines began to buzz across our devices. News of chaos and national unrest has us once again experiencing difficult emotions, and when coupled with having to navigate different opinions and belief systems at work and home, it’s easy to lose track of oneself and feelings of serenity.

Take this moment, right now, to inhale through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. Has it been awhile since you’ve done that? Bringing your attention to the breath in this moment and disconnecting from thinking, the news, social media, and conversations about the country’s current unrest, is a completely valid form of self-care right now.

Reconnecting with yourself in the present moment through both individual and guided mindfulness practices is a healthy and helpful habit to maintain your serenity – no matter what else this year has in store for us.

Easy Mindfulness Practices You Can Use to Center Yourself

With so many voices, opinions, and digital white noise constantly vying for our attention, it’s natural for the mind to either worry about the future or replay what’s happened in the past. Mindfulness helps us gently bring our awareness back to the here and now, and a few ways you can do that are:

• Body Scan. Allow your mind to bring curious and compassionate attention to each part of your body and notice any sensations you feel. Does any part of you feel tense, restless, stiff, energetic, or relaxed? Are there any emotions coming up that you’re also able to feel in the body? There are no good or bad sensations, simply notice – it’s okay to accept them just as they are.
• Loving Kindness. Regardless of what your friends, family, peers, and the news may be saying, it can be helpful, and cleansing to get back to a place of loving kindness. Cultivating positive intentions and good vibes for yourself and others can be one of the most healing parts of the day.

Tune Into Guided Mindfulness Programs That Target How You’re Feeling

At a time when human connection is critical for our well-being, having another voice guide you through a  mindfulness practice can be soothing, and make a big difference in the quality of your day. Some relevant resources from our expert mindfulness teachers that can help you navigate what’s happening right now are:

• Being Present with Discomfort
• Full of Feelings
• Quick Relief: I Can’t Believe They Said That? 
• Quick Relief: My Patience is Done and I Might Explode

Remember how good that breath felt? A daily mindfulness practice can help you bring awareness back to the most important thing right now – your experience in this moment. Whether you’ve already started your own mindfulness routine or if it’s on your list of new habits for the new year, know that it’s possible to get to that place of hope and peace.

Written by Becky Greiner