Masks For All: Cover Your Nose and Mouth To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

By Kara Jackman

The Center for Disease Control recommends that people across the country wear masks to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19. Unfortunately, not all the members of our community are able to wear the typical mask outfitted with elastic straps that wrap around the ears. Kids and adults in our community wear hearing aids, BAHA hearing aids, have prosthetic ears, or do not have ears at all. Masks must be accessible to all whom need them during this worldwide pandemic. Some sort of face covering will be part of our every day lives moving forward, especially when in mixed company outside of our homes. 

In this video, I demonstrate one face covering that ties at the back of the head with two sets of thin strips of fabric. Both strips of fabric tie behind your head, easily lacing together like draw strings. 

There are other options, too. You can purchase a prefabricated mask that loops over both ears, and then take paper clip, string, ribbon, or a piece of elastic and lace it though the existing ear loops to create tension and support around the back of the head.  This tension will secure the mask to the back of head, and keep it in place. Ear Community posted on their Instagram page an image of their mask hack using a paper clip. Another option is a strap placed at the back of the head, outfitted with two buttons to hook the ear loops around. Check these options out below. 

I hope this helps people. Moreover, it is my desire to never leave anyone unprotected. Wearing the mask does not mean you can, or should, go out if you at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and not surviving it. Check with your doctor before wearing a mask. Listen to their advice about what to do. This video and blog post should not replace advice from your doctor. 

Please remember to wash the mask in hot soapy water, and then wash your hands before placing the mask on your face. Always be as squeaky clean as possible before touching your face. When you are out and about, do not touch your face, or adjust the mask without a sterile, clean barrier between you and the mask. This barrier could be a fresh, clean paper towel, a new nitrile glove, or a new piece of facial tissue. 

We are in this together. No one will be left behind! We all deserve access to the things of life that we need to survive and thrive. 

Emotional Regulation: What The Body Can Tell Us About Our Feelings

Emotions are running high for all of us amid all the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Up is down, down is up, and everything about our lives is different. All that change means many emotions are popping up. Now is a good time to step back, take a breath, and identify the emotions we are experiencing. Our bodies, minds, and behaviors are filled with information about what we are feeling.  

Once we tune into 
how our body feels, 
what are thoughts are, 
and what we are doing, 
we can harvest information about our emotions. 

In this blog, we will focus on the way your body experiences emotions. 

In subsequent blog posts, I will focus on how feelings effect thoughts and behaviors. 

Parents, caregivers, family, and friends share this information with your children. It is critical that you 1) use these skills to stay calm, and 2) model these skills in front of your children. This will benefit both you and everyone around you. 

But where do I begin? 

Stop, Walk, and Tune In To Your Body

First, stop whatever you are doing. 
Step away, go into another room, so you can grab some time alone with no distractions. 

Take some nice deep breaths: in through the nose, and out through the mouth. 

Be sure to breathe into diaphragm or stomach, not the chest. The chest should be the last part of the body to rise when breathing properly. 

Now, focus on each part of your body, starting at the top of your head, moving down. Spend some time on each body part, noticing tightness or a holding of tension in different parts of the body. This is called a body scan. Listen to this brief, 5-minute meditation that will take you through each body part.

 

What Did Your Body Tell You? 

Where do you feel tension? 
Do you feel a tightness in your neck? back? stomach? head? 

Make a note of it on a piece of paper, or draw a stick figure and circle the parts of the body where your feel tension or unease. Your body is providing vital information about your feelings. 

By way of example, when I am stressed, anxious, or scared my neck, upper back, and stomach all get tight. My breathing becomes shallow and short. When I am sad, my throat tightens and the area around my heart hurts. How is your body? If there are areas of tension they could signal stress, anxiety, or sadness. 

Emotional Decoder 

Now look at the diagram below.  It kind of looks like the pain chart that the doctors use in the hospital. On a scale from 1-5, 1 being content, and 5 being scared or angry.  How are you feeling? Look at the images and find the one that matches what you are feeling best. (The descriptions can be helpful to put your feelings into words.)  

I Know What I Am Feeling, Now What? 

Did you identify an emotion? Cool! What do I do? 

If you are happy, or feel okay you can keep doing what you are doing. However, you might want to keep checking in with yourself once or twice an hour to see if things change. Sometimes setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to check in helps. As the day moves along, some person, place, or thing might bother you, throwing you into a sad or anxious state. 

If you are feeling sad, or angry, there are actions you can take to move yourself into "ok," "happy," or "confident." 

Take some more of those deep breathes. 

Deep, long, slow breathes will help calm your body down. 

Then find an activity that you find soothing. 

You could color, read, sew, listen to music, watch TV, write, exercise, or search for funny memes. 

You might not like any of these ideas, and that is okay. 

Check out this website for more ideas. 

Print it out and circle the ones that sound appealing to you. 

Practice Will Reveal Patterns

Your body reacts to our emotions. Sometimes these changes are subtle, unrecognizable even, but with regular practice, you will discover patterns. 

Keep a record of these experiences by writing about them in a notebook, or by drawing a quick stick-figure, circling the areas that get tense, tight, or otherwise feel strange. 

Finally, tie those physical sensations to what you are feeling, and address them with slow, deep breaths, and pleasant activities. Keep doing this each day, and you will become better at recognizing and managing your emotions. 

Yoga Fundraiser for CCA Kids

Thanks to the quick and thoughtful action by CCA Mom Suzanne Ashby, she teamed up with her friend and yoga teacher, Jen Cavalieri, to create a timely yoga fundraiser for CCA Kids! 

Thank you to Suzanne and Olivia for thinking of CCA during this difficult time. 

So - clear your mind and stretch your muscles with some yoga! Thank you!

Practice yoga with your family in the comfort of your home and support a good cause! Each online class is $10. For every class purchased $1 will be donated to CCA.

To register: Visit TulayogaNJ.com to View Class Schedule: Click the drop down that says classes- Click on Aberdeen Schedule

You will see the class listed in MINDBODY as Tula Yoga at Home or Tula Barre at Home . We have a combination of Yoga classes for all levels as well as Barre Fitness and Dance Classes. See below is a description of classes.

Click the sign up now button and proceed to create a account and enter your information.

When checking out choose : CCA Kids Drop in

You must be registered by 9am ET the day of the class. We will email you the link to our YouTube page by 9:30am ET that day. You can do the class ANYTIME that is convenient for you from your phone, laptop or on your TV!! The link will be active for 24 hours.

Class Descriptions:

Hatha Yoga- This class will focus on the breath, alignment, and is perfect for the practitioner who prefers time to move slowly in and out of each posture. This class is designed to create strength, flexibility and balance for both mind and body . This class is great for beginners as well as more experienced students.

Vinyasa Yoga – This all levels Vinyasa Flow class is a complete mind-body workout. Focusing on movement integrating breath, awareness, and alignment you will build strength, focus, flexibility, and balance.

Gentle Yoga– Therapeutic Yoga blends restorative yoga (supported postures), gentle yoga, breath work, and guided meditation techniques. This is a great class for those who need something gentle yet effective; if you have had recent surgery, chronic pain, or just need to work more slowly. This class is great for all levels.

Yoga Sculpt & Tone– A combination of Yoga and strength training this class is designed to sculpt and tone every major muscle group, build strength, flexibility, and rejuvenate the entire body. Free weights will be used to intensify the practice, add definition and tone the upper body. Burn calories, build healthy bone density and leave feeling calm, strong, and energized for the day.

Yin Yoga- Yin Yoga is a more meditative approach with a physical focus that is much deeper than most yoga practices. Here the practitioner is accessing the deeper connective tissues and fascia. Many of the long- held seated postures focus on areas that encompass the hips, legs and spine. Yin yoga is a wonderful way to maintain flexibility, circulation and focus. Great for all levels.

Tula Barre: Our Signature Barre class is a total body workout done to energizing music combining Barre, Yoga and Pilates. This class blends the most effective exercises in sixty minutes to burn calories and tone your entire body. We will use weights, resistance bands, and other props to sculpt your arms, abs, and create long lean muscles. Yoga and Pilates will be added to the routine to increase core strength, flexibility, posture and balance for a complete mind- body workout. You will leave feeling longer, stronger, and invigorated after each class.

Dance Sculpt: Dance sculpt is a synergy of movements and music created to shape and tone your body. This class was carefully designed by Jessica Sosa, using her extensive dance background to choreograph a fun and effective routine that includes building strength, flexibility, core , and balance. No dance experience needed. Express yourself with movement & build the body you have always wanted!

Olivia Rae Vargas inspired this fundraiser! 

Olivia and Jen

Olivia with Denise, yoga teacher

Start With Self For Mental Health: Resiliency Tips For Mind, Body, and Soul

Photo Credit: VectorStock.com

By Kara Jackman

How are we doing? I mean really doing. This is a surreal time, but as I have been reminded by many in our community, we have made it through tough times before. Thus, we truly are uniquely prepared for this time in our nation’s history, battling the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I am sure you are wondering, how do we manage this seismic change to our lives. I’ve read much about how to handle everything from working from home to home schooling. All of which is well and good, but true work must begin within one’s self: mind, body, and soul. But what does that look like? Here are some suggestions. 

Calming the Mind 

I originally titled this section “Clearing the Mind,” but quickly realized that is an unrealistic expectation even under normal circumstances. Our mental health is everything. We must be able to calm the racing thoughts and tough emotions, so that we can execute all the tasks that make up each day.  Where do you begin? A friend suggested on Sunday morning that I begin my day with meditation, journaling, or prayer. I must say I did all three and it really helped. I also wrote a “to do” list. All of it took less than 10 minutes. It really organized and clarified my priorities. I was more productive and self-assured, too. For meditation, or mindfulness practices, please check out the Calm app, Fitbit’s 90-day FREE premium membership, or check out the offerings on Youtube by searching for “guided meditations.” I would suggest ending your day in much the same way, too. There is something so vital about these transition points, out of and into, restorative sleep. 

Move!

The other important element for boosting our mental resolve is through physical movement. I will not be so bold as to say the dreaded “E” word, exercise, because I hate to lose a captive audience. That said, committing to some physical movement that works best for your body is vital. Go for a walk, preferably outside, with your family, while honoring the six-foot distance that we must maintain for social distancing. Yoga, or just simple stretching can help, too. Tai Chi and other martial art forms can be soothing, too. Here’s a couple videos from youtube to get you started.

With the gym closed, I have turned to the streets to run. I am by no means fast, but I make it fun, listening to music that I love, taking pictures of the interesting things I come across on the road. What will you do? 

Love The Skin You're In

If the thought of physical activity freaks you out, don’t worry. There are other ways to stimulate your physical body to bring about the positive mental health you need during these trying times. Take care of your skin. It is the largest organ of your body.  Watch this six minute video about how dry brushing and applying body lotion or oil can calm your stress response. You can perform dry brushing on yourself, your children, and even your pet. Additionally, dry brushing can be helpful for those of us that have sensory processing issues. And if not for all those reasons, who doesn’t love to pamper themselves?

Hug Yourself

Go ahead, it’s not weird. We need human touch, to heal, feel settled in our physical being. But we are told not to touch others, so we can’t do this one, right? No! You can hug yourself, which in this study was shown to reduce physical pain. In fact, you could probably do this with others while maintaining the mandated six-foot distance. There is also a move called a hookup, used by some teachers and occupational therapists for individuals with Attention Deficit and Hyper Activity disorder. Learn more about it in this article. 

Standing Hookup

This is how you can perform a hookup. Sit, stand, or lay down. Cross your legs. Stick your arms straight out, then cross your wrists one over the other, and face your palms together. Then interlace fingers and swoop your arms down and into your body, hinging at the elbows. Your hands will land just below your chin.  Now breathe deeply, from the abdomen, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. During a time when we really cannot hug others, I find these so very calming. Focus on loving-kindness in your mind while you do the breathe and body work. You will find yourself more grounded in the here and now. 

I hope you take these suggestions to heart. Please consider implementing some or all of them in your daily lives, while experiencing these extremely stressful times. 

More resources for Families and Individuals

While geared toward kids and education, I found this link to provide very helpful advice on stress reduction, nutrition, and caring for our bodies.

https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/resources-for-schools-and-families-during-covid-19-coronavirus/

#ChooseKindTuesday: Abby & Melissa Visit the East Catholic

Melissa and Abby McGowan visited East Catholic School in Pittsburgh, PA to share their ChooseKind message with 120 students ranging in ages from nine to thirteen. Abby shared what it is like to live with a facial difference. Mom, Melissa, shared what a delight it is to have a child like Abby for a daughter. Melissa and Abby talked about Abby’s birth, surgeries, medical appointments, which set her apart from many kids., but they also talked about  aspects of her life that make her just like every other kid her age. She loves school, reading, and playing games with her three sisters. She cooks and crafts with her mom.

An East Catholic School teacher and organizer of the event, said of the McGowan’s presentation, “Having Abby take part in the talk was a wonderful part of it. The students and faculty thoroughly enjoyed every single part!  The presentation was very enlightening and informative! We were blessed to have been able to have Melissa and Abby come and speak to us. The children were so touched by them, they want to have a dress down day to donate the money to CCA!”

Thank you East Catholic for hosting Abby and Melissa. We are so grateful that we can count you as one of our #ChooseKind schools. Keep up the great work. Be kind, choose kind, the world needs more of it.