Happy Saturday!
This email is coming a day late because yesterday we were involved provisioning food because if the virus continues to get worse, we’re not going to want to have to go into a store. That said, it’s not a grim process because I like to cook and so pre-preparing gives me a chance to do a lot of what I like.
I’m going to share my secret to staying healthy all winter, and dealing with any colds or flu‘s symptoms: Have plenty of fresh lemon juice at the ready. At the first sign of a sneeze, or a sore throat, take a 6-ounce shot of lemon juice right away. Then take two more in the next 24 hours. Drinking straight lemon juice can be a challenge, so watering it down and adding a little sweetener is acceptable. The main thing is to get it into your system as soon as you feel any symptoms.
The other secret to staying healthy is to avoid anxiety. Anxiety is a fear of what could happen, but what hasn’t happened yet. Our imaginations can be dangerous because they aren’t processing the facts. It’s the replaying of your worst-case scenario that will make you sick. The goal is to interrupt this loop and replace it with the facts.
Approach your fear about the virus directly by asking yourself: “What’s the worst that can happen?” Once you accept the worst possible outcome, you’ll find that you calm right down, and helpful ideas to avoid this scenario will immediately come to mind. You’re seeking practical solutions. You can think of where you’ve been careless, and maybe disinfect your door knobs or the bottoms of your sneakers. For example, my boyfriend and I decided to avoid going to the laundromat or using the subway for the duration. Whatever you do from this place of acceptance will cheer you up, make you feel in control and prevent exposure.
Once you are in control of your anxiety, you can now return to writing. Remember that remaining calm, and doing our job helps other people remain calm and do their jobs.
Exercise will also lower your anxiety. I’ve studied Pilates for over ten years. My Pilates teacher, Jack Hayes, is holding on-line classes on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 am and 10:45. The classes are $10.00 each. Contact him directly: jackhayes@me.com
Laughter will also help! Please check out the latest episode of your Friday Funnys.
Have a laugh, subscribe, and share!
Here’s to your successful writing,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz