Search “mindfulness pandemic” and you will discover a wealth of recently published media across a variety of platforms: CNBC, NPR, Psychology Today, the list goes on… According to Oxford dictionary mindfulness is “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations”. It’s about being present in the moment without being overwhelmed by programmed impulses and negative emotional response cycles. Mindfulness is not about dismissal of feelings, but rather experiencing one’s feelings without a conditioned response. It’s about being fully present, calm, and aware in the way that is required to protect one’s own health and that of their community.

The NY Times published a comprehensive overview of the CDC’s “worst case” projections in which it states:

Between 160 million and 214 million people in the United States could be infected over the course of the epidemic, according to one projection. That could last months or even over a year, with infections concentrated in shorter periods, staggered across time in different communities, experts said. As many as 200,000 to 1.7 million people could die.

The challenge with the Coronavirus the potential to spread quickly across the reaching the most vulnerable groups where death rates are rather notable. The conditional probabilities are dangerous for a subset of the population, and the virus is rather effective at utilizing the less vulnerable individuals as its agent. Behaviors like “panic shopping” likely further distribute a virus entrenched in our country and continent. The prospect of self-isolation for two weeks a psychologically grueling, anxiety provoking disruption. Independent of contagion and treatment. The Coronavirus presents a novel challenge in self-control, awareness, and mental health. In this context, mindfulness and natural anxiety management are critical tools in our arsenal in fighting the virus.

Full Spectrum Hemp Extract isn’t a panacea for mindfulness nor does it serve as a cure for COVID-19. That said, there is significant research into its antixylotic (anxiety inhibiting) properties. Additionally, it’s anti-inflammatory and homeostatic promoting qualities are beneficial to overall wellness independent of the current pandemic. Anecdotally my mother, who’s life was forever altered by contracting Polio, took one of our DankeSuper hemp extract tinctures for the first time she said: “I don’t like it, I feel too calm.” She now takes our Super01 or Super02 product everyday. Calm in the face of pandemic might feel counterintuitive or flat out impossible, but being mindful and present greatly enhances our ability to mitigate risks both to ourselves and family. If you’d like to view our full spectrum of tincture products click here.

Below are some additional resources on mindfulness in the time of COVID-19:

How Mindfulness Can Help You Navigate the Coronavirus Panic

Mindfulness during the time of Coronavirus: Harvard professor’s tips to help lower anxiety

Anxious about Coronavirus? Lizzo has a soothing meditation just for you

What COVID-19 Can Teach Us about Mindfulness