22: Nourish Your Mind - Dr. Ashley Selkirk on Mental Health During the Global Pandemic - a podcast by Claire Shorenstein, MS RD CDN
from 2020-03-19T14:00
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Viktor Frankl
Welcome to Episode 22 of the Eat for Endurance Podcast, featuring clinical psychologist Dr. Ashley Selkirk, Ph.D. Given the rapid unraveling of life as we know it in this post-Covid-19 world, I wanted to interview a mental health professional to discuss coping mechanisms and other strategies that we can use to deal with the anxiety, stress, disappointment, fear, and other overwhelming feelings that many of us are experiencing right now. This isn’t directly nutrition or sports related, but when it comes to health and performance, everything is connected. I’m sure you know that there is a strong link between the body and the mind, and now more than ever, it’s a top priority to look after both.
Dr. Selkirk has her own Telehealth practice, Selkirk Psychology, and is a mom of two (1.5 and 5 years old). We discussed the challenges of attempting to work (and just trying not to go crazy) with the kids at home - something I know many of my listeners can relate to - plus specific breathing and other mental exercises that you can do to be more present (the hardest thing for me), avoid the comparison trap, and calm the mind. I know many of you are devastated that big races have been cancelled, struggling being out of your routine, feeling claustrophobic being stuck inside (esp with family members around, placing even more demands on you), and/or you’re simply trying not to constantly be in a state of fear. I’m sure you’re aware, but I’m going to say it anyway - you are not alone!
Personally, I am very anxiety prone, especially during these postpartum months, and like many others, have been struggling with all the uncertainty. Having spent the last 6 months mostly at home anyway (working from home, taking care of a newborn, winter, etc), in some ways it’s a continuation of what I’ve already been doing. But of course, it’s completely different. I’m home with my 5 month old and 3 year old and continuing to attempt to work part-time from home while my husband works a demanding full-time job, all in our tiny apartment. Needless to say, the days feel long and certainly not very productive. It’s also tough not to spiral once the girls go to sleep, when I start to think about what the future holds. But I’m trying. Trying to take it day by day, be more patient (OMG this is the hardest with my toddler!), do one thing for myself each day if I can, really prioritize what needs to happen, and let go of any expectations I have regarding productivity. I’m not perfect - it’s a work in progress - and we’re all just doing our best, controlling what we can control in a situation that feels out of control, trying to be kind to ourselves, connecting virtually to friends and family, and practicing compassion towards others in our community.
In terms of food - i.e. what to stock in your kitchen, what we’ve been making, and my general thoughts on food during these crazy times - I’ll address that separately! Everything is changing every hour it seems...who knows what next week will bring.
I hope you all enjoy this episode and find it helpful. I know I did and will be trying to put into practice some of the advice she shared. I hope you all manage to stay healthy, active (as desired, of course), and can find foods, activities, or virtual connections that bring you joy in all this madness!
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