For many of us, the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent social distancing has created abrupt changes that we’re still adjusting to. When it comes to remaining connected to our friends and family, we’re getting creative and relying on technology to maintain relationships. But when it comes to escaping from the constant drone of the dire news into other worlds, perhaps ones we are missing in real life,or finding ways to manage anxiety, Lisa Sharkey offers alternatives to our devices and suggests we get back to the basics with a good book and some self-care.
Lisa is a Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development for HarperCollins Publishers, a 2-time Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, a Certified Yoga Instructor, a flawless advisory board member and an amazing mother of three. We had the opportunity to sit down with Lisa for A Flawless Talk on Mental Health and the Coronavirus. Here are some of her tips to navigate through these challenging times.
Lisa on Literature
Unsurprisingly, because Lisa works in publishing she is also an avid reader! Whether you’re feeling anxious and fearful, looking for some self-care tips, or simply looking for a good story to dive into during your free time, there is a book out there for you.
Empathizing with sports fans who are mourning the indefinite suspension of sports around the world, the first book that Lisa recommends is One Last Strike by Tony La Russa, retired pro baseball player and the former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland A’s, and the Chicago White Sox. This is a great read for anyone who misses watching sports, or for someone looking for inspiration in a story of not giving up when things don’t work out as you had planned.
If you’re experiencing elevated levels of anxiety, uncertainty, or depression right now, then you may be interested in The Self-Care Solution by Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News’ Chief Medical Correspondent. Lisa praised Dr. Ashton for her incredible work in covering the COVID crisis as a medical professional which only makes her book that much more timely, as we can all use a boost of self-care right now! Another great self-treatment option is The MELT Method, a book written by Sue Hitzmann that explores how in as little as ten minutes a day you can combat chronic pain and erase the effects of aging and active living.
Finally, you may find multi-platinum rapper, songwriter, and producer Russ’ book It’s All In Your Head to be a powerful read and reminder to believe in yourself. Lisa even gave us a sneak preview: “I looked up in the sky long enough – I grew wings.” These are just a few of the many great books Lisa suggested – find the full list below!
Lisa The Yoga Instructor
Lisa also offered advice as a yoga instructor; yoga is a great practice right now and something that you can easily do from home. Whether you’re face-timing with friends to practice together or exploring Youtube for channels such as CorePower Yoga for live streaming classes each day while studios are closed, yoga is a great way to practice self-care in the comfort of your home. Lisa demonstrated a breathing technique called Alternate Nostril Breathing which is very beneficial for getting energy to flow through your body, and she also showed us “mudras”, or yogic hand gestures. We are looking forward to incorporating them into our daily routine because, as Lisa said, “these are simple techniques that absolutely work!”
Lisa The Mom
This has been a challenging time for everyone, and at Flawless we have been offering tips for parents who now (unexpectedly) have children at home all day. Lisa offered great advice of her own as her daughter Casey, who is a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis, has returned home early from college. Lisa mentioned how excited her daughter was to visit for spring break, but how devastated she became after realizing she wouldn’t be able to return to campus. Lisa says her daughter is more than busy though, with a rigorous remote-learning academic schedule.
Lisa recommends you support your children who may be in a similar situation by checking in with them every day, making sure that they connect with their friends and prioritizing healthy living and nutrition. Watch the interview to learn Lisa’s special recipe for a nutritious power shake!
As you continue to look for some alternative ways to stay entertained, manage your anxiety, and practice self-care while you’re social distancing, here is the complete list of books recommended by Lisa Sharkey to help you take a break and get lost into the world of good literature.
Lisa Sharkey’s Recommended Reading
• One Last Strike – Tony La Russa
• I Got This: To Gold and Beyond – Laurie Hernandez
• Strong Is the New Beautiful – Lindsey Vonn
• The Self-Care Solution – Jennifer Ashton
• It’s All In Your Head – Russ
• The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
• Fear – Thich Nhat Hanh
• The Dalai Lama’s Book of Transformation
• Girl Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis
• Old School Love – Joseph “Rev Run” and Justine Simmons
• The Game of Desire – Shannon Boodram
• 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do – Amy Morin.
