A Guide for Thriving: Schedule These 5 Practices During Each Day

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel!

I’m here to give you support, if and when you need it, and I have available appointments. In the meantime, I have some ideas to help make today’s stressful situation, I hope, a little better.

By now, you have realized, “This is not a crisis that adrenaline can get us through,” as Brené Brown, research professor and social worker at the University of Houston, said in a webinar about surviving the pandemic. “We are in a long duration marathon, and we have to find a sustainable way [to live],” she added – and a sentiment I wrote about in my March blog articles.

As I continue meeting (virtually) with some of you, I’m finding malaise or anxiety setting in, even some weight gain and inactivity. Understandable, but not ideal for your health. It contributes to immune system suppression, reducing your body’s ability to fight all causes of disease and premature death, from colds to cancer, and more importantly, potentially, COVID-19, according to established research.

“Negative emotions… contribute indirectly to the immune dysregulation evidenced by pro-inflammatory [compounds]… Stress impedes the immune response to infectious challenges, amplifying risks for contagion and prolonged illness episodes,” according to a study in the Annual Review of Psychology Journal.

There is something I’d like you to try. It has helped my clients, myself, and it has enlightened peoples through the ages. It’s a 15-centuries-old practice with vision and common sense. Wisdom of the ages which scholars believe is relevant today “as we fumble and stumble our way toward fullness of life in a world whose foundations are shaking,” said Joan Chittester, author of The Rule of Benedict.

These timeless and infinitely practical rules for living originated in monasteries during the fall of the roman empire and have been refined for diverse cultures over time. Beyond its religious influences, “the Rule of St Benedict was one of the most important written works to shape medieval Europe, embodying the ideas of a written constitution and the rule of law. It also incorporated a degree of democracy in a non-democratic society and dignified manual labor,” according to Wikipedia. It is a basic guide for living with five essential daily practices:

1. Prayer / Meditation of all types have valuable physiological, psychological and spiritual effects that can boost your health, among other benefits, according to research. For instance, you improve at mental tests, emotion regulation is better and more appropriate, lowering blood pressure, anxiety, depression, insomnia and stress hormones, thereby improving immune response.

2. Work includes not only paid employment, but also work in our various communities,  and the work we do to contribute to family life.  Benedict teaches that all work has value and brings dignity to each human being.  Even washing dishes or taking out the trash! This is especially true as long as your work honors your values, beliefs, or religious beliefs, and serves the community.

3. Study / Gaining Wisdom includes reading and learning about the world or anything that expands your knowledge. Reading religious text, The Rule, wisdom writings, or studying with others in order to deepen spirituality and intellect. It could also be as simple as visiting a museum or concert – in person or online – and learning about the work and vision involved in creating art of all genres. I watch tutorials of all kinds (recently I learned how to cut my hair!), I enjoy learning about history, and I joined MasterClass and love it!

4. Hospitality includes inviting the stranger into your life, being hospitable to those already in your life. Having a right approach to how you treat others, and welcoming each person as your values and beliefs dictate, creates a healthy sense of hospitality. Some practical examples might be stopping to say hello when a neighbor walks by, instead of being in a rush, being genuinely friendly and caring to service providers, or having patience with the person who cuts you off in traffic. Happy hour counts, too (as long as you’re not alone)!

5. Renewal / Rest / Recreation can include the discipline of keeping a sabbath, cultivating interests that remind you of your values, beliefs, and spirituality, or taking time to notice beauty and love in your daily life. Exercise, taking walks, sleep, whatever allows you to renew yourself, spiritually, psychologically, physically. Renewal is the time to remember that our lives are still centered on the Divine.

Without each and every one of these practices, our daily lives can become stressful, unfulfilling, depressing and unhealthy. I believe scheduling time for each, especially now, could help you and your family emerge from today’s crisis even better.

I would love your feedback. Please SHARE with friends, family, and social media if you think this advice may help others, and email me at Katherine@PersonalizedNutrition.com

Much of the text describing the five rules is from The Friends of St. Benedict.