“Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change and growth. It is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” says Nasreen Essack, a Life Coach based in Gaborone.
If the past year has taught us anything, it is that, “I am a fast learner and work well under pressure” is no longer a statement reserved for your Curriculum Vitae (CV) but a very necessary life skill. From Zoom calls to home schooling, we have all, while dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, had to learn, as well as adapt to so many new ways of conducting our day-to-day activities, be it at home, work or other places.
Losses of life, employment and income are just a few of the many negative results of the pandemic, and because you have no control over these situations, you may tend to feel helpless, overwhelmed, and numerous other emotions, depending on your situation. So much has changed yet so much has remained the same.
The new parents who are now concerned about the little vulnerable lives they are now responsible for; the teachers who are exposed to large groups of students multiple times a day, automatically increasing their chances of contracting the disease; those with compromised immune systems; and you who, without any of these, are still at risk. How have all these, coupled with the fear of the unknown and the blanket of grief that continues to hold the drape itself around world, affected your well-being? Have you made time to check in with yourself to see how YOU are doing? What measures have you taken or put in place to take care of yourself? How do you expect to efficiently take care of your loved ones if you are burnt out?
The Business Weekly & Review this week had a conversation with Life Coach, Nasreen Essack, who shed some light on ways of starting on the journey of ‘self-love’ or mental wellness or add to your already existing routine.
Q: As a Life Coach, what does your practice entail?
A: I work mainly with the tools of Access Consciousness. This has a lot to do with energy and the mindset. It is really all-encompassing but it starts with your own well-being, which is important. We are always looking for something out there when all the answers are within ourselves.
What I do is called Access Bars where there are 32 points on your head which are like pillars or bars which are energetic spaces. Touching these bars shifts or moves energy in instances where your energy is blocked. In the industry, they say worst case scenario. A session will feel like a massage or a best case scenario. Your whole life will start to change. But it is not a special skill that I have. Anyone can learn the bars to use on themselves or those around them, especially in these times of elevated stress levels.
Q: What is Access Consciousness?
A: Access Consciousness is the ability to effectively access and manage our intra-mental relations. How our brains work is that we work from a place in our minds which deals with logic. This allows us to access our subconscious and look at what else is possible. Once you tap into our energies, you are able to see things ore clearly and on a wider, deeper scale. You find there are so many other possibilities, all you have to do is ask. We work a lot on question.
Q: Please elaborate on what you mean by “we work a lot on question.”
A: Once you step into question, you start to open up a sea of prospects because the universe will present you with answers and all you have to do is be in a position to be able to identify the opportunity specific to your needs.
Q: What is the first step for someone who is looking to change their emotional well-being?
A: We have all heard the saying “ask and you shall receive” or some variation of this statement, including “speak it into existence” or “you are what you think,” and so on. Regardless of your preferred saying, ultimately the message is that you attract what you believe you deserve. The first step is to therefore change your mindset and start thinking, acting and speaking kindly to and about you. We tend to go into a downward spiral, especially when we are stressed or under pressure and everything seems to be pulling at us all at once. It is in this moment that we need to remember and implement our coping mechanisms.
Q: What coping mechanisms can you recommend to someone who is currently feeling overwhelmed?
A: An easy cost-effective way to kick-start this journey could be as simple as a Gratitude Jar. Make a habit of writing down what you are grateful for, no matter how big or small. This is an exercise that the whole family can participate in. You will come to realize that there is so much more to be thankful for, and this will increase your energy vibrations, making you instantly feel better. Consciousness is the inclusion of all without judgement. Therefore, another thing to do is actively remove judgement from your thought process. Stop judging yourself and those around you and instead appreciate what you have.
