Mindfulness is not a new concept. However, in recent years, the idea of practicing mindfulness has become more prevalent as our culture turns to a new lifestyle of health and wellness. Still, many wonder how to practice mindfulness and how it can be a useful tool in times of stress and uncertainty. In a recent interview titled “How to Develop Mindfulness and Serenity During Stressful or Uncertain Times,” Beau Henderson interviewed Eterneva‘s Adelle Archer to unravel some of the secrets surrounding this topic.
Archer is the co-founder and CEO of Eterneva, a grief and wellness company that celebrates lives by turning the ashes of people’s loved ones into diamonds. Following the loss of her mentor, Tracey, who lost her life after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Archer was inspired to find a way to commemorate Tracey. Archer decided to turn her ashes into a black diamond. According to Archer, it was a way “to capture her sparkling spirit and ensure that her legacy [lived] on.” During this process and after recognizing the limited resources available to provide such services, Archer partnered with Garrett Ozar and founded Eterneva in 2015. After founding a company built around the idea of leaning into hard situations and conversations, Archer has gained a wealth of knowledge on how to cope with challenging circumstances. In her interview with Henderson, the Eterneva CEO shared her take on how individuals can use mindfulness to cope with the trying situations that they are facing related to the current pandemic.
What
Is Mindfulness?
“The
state of being mindful is all about controlling your thoughts. In
reality, our own minds are really the only thing any of us can
control,” says Archer.
When
you go through life, day by day, you will have thousands of thoughts
cross your mind. Most of these thoughts will pass through, and you
will not even recognize them. However, many of these thoughts can
have a major impact on the function of your life. Mindfulness is the
practice of being aware of these thoughts and being present in the
current moment.
What
Are the Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness?
This
practice has been around for centuries, and through the years, both
spiritual leaders and scientists have acknowledged the benefits of
mindfulness for the human mind, body, and spirit. One of the most
prominent benefits, according to Archer, is that mindfulness can
enhance one’s ability to recognize one’s self-limiting beliefs.
If
you can do this, then you can start to break down these beliefs and
restructure your personal identity through small accomplishments. It
is important to note that mindfulness is about being kind to
yourself. It is about cultivating the physical, mental, and emotional
ability to fail 1,000 times but continue to show up and try anyway.
It is about building resilience.
How
Can People Use Mindfulness to Cope With the Current Uncertainty?
The
pandemic has brought a new array of emotions to not only the U.S. but
also the world as a whole. Recent fears were introduced, which were
then heightened by the sense of uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and
loneliness. According to Archer, this experience is bringing about a
feeling of grief around the loss of normalcy. To cope with this
grief, Archer recommends that individuals turn to mindfulness
because, at this moment, the only thing that any of us can control is
our minds. Therefore, how we conduct our inner dialogue is extremely
important.
“What
we feed our brain matters – whether it is frightening news or a
nice book by someone we admire,” she says. “These things change
our mindset and, as a result, how we show up in our lives for
ourselves, those we love, and the people we are trying to help.”
With this concept in mind, Archer suggests these five tips to help
individuals cope during this time:
-
Limit
news intake, and don’t watch the market.
The current news is a rollercoaster, so step away
from it
occasionally. Removing yourself and
refraining from constantly consuming news will
help you on a daily basis.
-
Be
careful about your language and focus.
Be aware of your inner dialogue, and focus on a mantra that promotes
your strength.
-
Work
on mastering your emotions.
Focus
on yourself and how you can grow through these stressful situations.
-
Simplify
and maximize: Recognize
your essentials in this time, and try to let go of everything
else.
-
Remember
that gratitude
is the antidote to fear. Focus
on the positives in your life instead of the negatives. Think of
gratitude as a muscle
that must be
exercised.
The result will be a new outlook on your circumstances.
Supporting
Others
They
say that you cannot take care of others unless you first care for
yourself. Thankfully, the practice of mindfulness can help improve
your mental stamina and allow you to be in a position to help others.
In a time when those surrounding us are experiencing the same fear,
grief, and anxiety, it is beneficial to lend a helping hand.
Archer
suggests that to help those who are grieving, individuals can do a
few simple things:
- Hold
a space for grief.
It is important to be there to allow others to experience their
emotions and feel supported.
- Tell
stories about past times.
This practice can help you recognize gratitude.
- Do
something.
Be a part of all of the change that is happening.
- Move
and breath.
Get outside and activate your body, and support your loved ones
while they do the same.
- Foster
a pet (if you can).
A pet can help you and your family by providing a companion and
creating a necessary routine.
A
Hopeful Future
The world is an ever-evolving place; the current situation will change, and our reality will continuously be altered. The best thing that we can do to navigate these times is practice mindfulness and gratitude and be present. It is important, according to Archer, to remember that “life doesn’t happen to you; it happens for you.” In this time of hardship, try to remember that difficult circumstances lead to positive growth.
Learn more about Eterneva’s mission, and what they’re doing to help funeral homes during the Coronavirus pandemic.
