For many, this is one of the most challenging circumstances you have experienced.By now you know, I am obsessed with habits and with human behavior. I mean, if so many of you want so badly to reach that ultimate fitness, body, happiness, then why can’t you?I also spend an inordinate amount of my time researching stress responses to a variety of positive and negative circumstances. And right now, I am taking careful note of how each of my clients is responding to the health crisis.How we respond – or react – to stress is a habit. How we talk to others, and to ourselves, is just as much a habit as going to bed late, eating ice cream for dessert, social media, TV binges, gossip, or rolling your eyes when your sister calls. They are all habits.  So, yes, even your response to the crisis is something your brain has practiced countless times already!How do you change these habits? You peel the layers of when you do it, where you do it, and how you do it and practice a variety of alternatives…until you find what works for you consistently. What do we know?

• • We have little control over the circumstances
• • We are experiencing a lot of fear
• • There is a ton of uncertainty
• • People are angrier

 What are we hearing from friends, family, news outlets, social media?

• • Blaming leaders
• • Blaming other countries
• • Getting down on themselves for not being prepared

 Many of these – and other reactions – are habits.How we “react”, not respond, to circumstances are our brains' default. The neuropaths in our brains are used to A) going negative, B) isolating, C) pointing fingers, and a variety of other reactions.In my concierge program, I work to teach clients to “respond” not react, placing control of their emotions (and heart rate!) in their hands instead of the others.  Did you know how you talk to yourself, and others, is a habit? Did you know you can change that?While it may sound odd, right now is the time to build the foundation of healthy habits with regard to your stress. No, it isn't time to start a new diet. It’s not even time to get your best PR or train for a huge race. Yet, it is time to tap into what your brain already knows...simple and easy habits to help you gain stress resilience.Are you experiencing…1)  Doomsday - financial and health – for you and/or others.2) Frustration with our leaders.3) More tension at home.4) More exhaustion.5) Temptation more now than ever for sweets and the glass of wine.6)  Lack of control over your future.7) Negative self -talk - "I'll never recover/retire." "My parents won't make it through this without me."8) etc. etc. etc. Are you interested in finding other means to absorb the news? Then participate in our Healthy Habits Challenge where building simple habits will help you through this challenging time.In the meantime, until the Challenge begins, I invite you to...1) Go easy on yourself.2) Tend to your self-care more now than ever.3) Learn to breathe before speaking or responding to bad news or press “pause” before you do.4) Get your sleep (stay tuned for my Virtual Sleep Workshop April 27).  Contact me at adrien@alexandriawellness.com if you have any questions about the challenge, my successful programs, and how you too can feel better about yourself, even during Coronavirus.