Breathing is a fundamental act of life. People are able to live because they are able to breathe. Yet, this simple process is often not given enough value in our busy schedules. Not even when we are staying at home brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have grown too accustomed to having it around that we sometimes forget the importance of a nice and deep breath.
Equal Access International-Philippines teamed up with Marides Gardiola and Maria Lourdes Aseneta from Brahma Kumaris Philippines and Mindfulness for Mental Health Community of Practice to learn more about Mindfulness for Mental Health in these Challenging Times through an online webinar.
The session focused on taking care of the self in the middle of the COVID-19 situation. It included practical tips on how to overcome anxiety during these trying times. Taking care of one’s self becomes important as this will strengthen us in dealing with the higher challenge of taking care of our family and in caring for the community.
Ms Gardiola highlighted the need to focus on the present -to acknowledge our current feelings, reactions, and sentiments towards the situation. We are able to determine the fears and what causes them by being in the present.
The EAI-PH team was also led into breathing exercises by Ms. Aseneta. The staff members learned proper breathing techniques which include the right posture and the right mindset when doing the said exercise. By doing the exercise, we learn to PAUSE and ALLOW us to be aware of our tensions and feelings. Her clear advice was, “As you go along, you get to feel kindness radiate within you, where gratitude and compassion flows. We express the radiation of gratitude and compassion through arts, and other forms of creativity. Eventually, we can carry it out to our work and affirm to ourselves that we can create and that we can be creative.”
One EAI-PH staff expressed that for the past few days she was feeling some anxiety attacks. With this exercise, she realized the importance of practicing proper breathing and taking care of oneself.
The pandemic continues to threaten the foundations on which our modern society thrives. As we learn to live with the “new normal”, may we all learn to value the importance of our mental health and well-being.This battle might be difficult but we are never alone. Together, we stand strong. Together, we will bounce forward.
