What does the future hold? What is the new normal? And how can we collaborate with uncertainty to co-create the future?

In Volume 2 of this ongoing guest series, Psychotherapist, Dr. Francis L. Battisti, and Nutritionist, Dr. Helen E. Battisti share their wisdom on embracing the unknown to reimagine and reinventour futures.

For over 10 years, they have worked closely with us on aging concerns and have presented many webinars and in-person workshops.  Their newsletter, The Zone, is a weekly mental health and nutrition tip sheet during times of change.

As we all enter the fourth week of the new-normal, either on or off campus, we may have started to realize that the future will be different than what you thought it would be.

As we mentioned last week, the multitude of feelings that you have experienced are real and valid. Now, you may be moving beyond the shock and disbelief and wondering, “What just happened?” “Where are we going?”

Additionally, we know from the accounts of survivors of past major disruptions that those who focused on what they wanted to accomplish following the event, had a healthier outcome. With this mind, we need to be thinking about how we want to realistically live our lives beyond the pandemic.

Key Takeaways

• Realization that the future is different than what you expected it to be.
• Your feelings are still valid and real.
• The sense of shock might be lessening, leaving you with a question of, “What just happened?”.
• Begin to think about how you want to realistically live your life beyond the pandemic.

Best Practices

• Accept your feelings and questions as real and valid.
• Stay connected with your family, friends and community. This can be accomplished by emails, zoom meetings, updates and other various communication venues.
• Think about and possibly journal on these questions: “What are the things that I presently can count on?’ Where do I want to be at the end of summer?’ What are some possible steps I can take to get me there, at the end of the summer?
• Continue to get 10,000 steps daily. This may be a good time for creative solutions. To assist you, check out this PDF that converts activities to steps.

Things to Limit

• Continue to limit screen time.
• Continue to limit junk food.
• Limit the intake of the constant roar of negativity and how awful this is and that it will never get better.

Quote of the Week 

“Effective questioning brings insights, which fuels curiosity, which cultivates wisdom.” – Chip Bell

The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P. and Chief Academic Officer and, Dr. Helen E. Battisti, PhD. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist.

We have developed The ZONE, because that is exactly where you want to be during this pandemic. A place of focused attention to doing exactly what needs to be done to get you to where you need to be. The purpose of The Zone is to provide a weekly mental-health and nutrition tip-sheet during times of change.

If you would like to subscribe to The Zone, please email info@avilainstitute.org and we will get you on the mailing list.