Meditation is one method to cope with a stressful situation like coronavirus. Eastern Kentucky University Coordinator of Community Intervention Natalie Deering leads a weekly virtual meditation session for students faculty and staff.
Deering says meditation can offer an opportunity to pause and observe what is going on both within and around you. “You can observe it with that non-judgmental awareness. You can observe it like with that open curiosity. Cause when we’re in a state of curiosity, we’re not in a fear state, we’re in a calm state, we’re in an open state,” said Deering.
The Eastern Kentucky University Coordinator of Community Intervention said it’s not necessarily about relaxation and intent can vary from person to person. During this time of uncertainty, Deering noted meditation may help in tackling waves of anxiety. “I love the saying we can’t stop the waves, right. We can’t stop the waves, but what we can do is we can learn how to surf. We can learn how to surf and ride on top of those waves and ride out the situation until it eventually calms down rather than getting swept up in it and feeling like we can’t breathe,” explained Deering.
Deering said time set aside to meditate can make one stronger in tolerating stress. The staff counselor added that can be very important now when people may feel unsafe.
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