This is a continuation of the article Moving Toward Wholeness in Isolation.

Check it out for some background information on why movement and connection are our most critical adaptive abilities.

Movement and connection support a necessary function in our nervous system called co-regulation — human interaction and reciprocity — which leads to self-regulation — our ability to be healthfully responsive to stimuli…particularly fear, crisis, chaos, and uncertainty.

---

• MOVE in all the ways
  • Take a step outside and breathe in the fresh air. Raise your arms above your head and make some noise as you exhale. It’s truly that simple.
  • Take lots of walks especially if you have kids or dogs.
    
    You can add a simple mantra: Right now I’m safe. With this step, I’m safe. Right now, I’m safe. With this step, I’m safe.
  • Stretch your fingers and toes: use a small ball to roll your feet; use your fingers to stretch between your toes; twist each toe and each finger; massage your hands; flick your fingers; shake your wrists out. Get movement into your phalanges and keep them strong.
  • Smile + laugh.
    
    Move your face, move your eyes, make funny faces. Imagine a mouth full of water and swish it around for 30 seconds. Massage your jaw. Rub your hands together and place them over your eyes. Yawn. Big. Make some sounds. Hum and sigh and bray like a horse.
  • And obviously exercise as often as you can. Any empty space or empty moment is an opportunity to do one or two Pilates things or yoga things or just human things.
    
    Do 25 lunges on each side. Do 3 down dogs. Do 5 planks rocking side to side. Do all the things you know as often as possible.
  • Be creative and do not stop moving. Have fun. It’s still okay, and critical, to FIND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.

• CONNECT in all the ways
  • Offer to get on the phone with a loved one while you walk
  • Use Facetime and Zoom and Skype so you can see people’s faces
  • Do everything you did before but via these avenues. EVERYTHING. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
  • Sing to your kids, with your kids
  • Put your hands on a tree
  • Put your hands on yourself
  • Put your hands on a loved one 
  • Lay on the grass in your front or backyard
  • Write a letter
  • Say I love you a lot
  • Be of service in all the ways you can…with thoughtfulness rather than guilt.