It's me, checking in for my weekly Muse... And this week I want to talk about the intense times we find ourselves in these days.

This pandemic is affecting us all in different ways, but I was really struck by the intense polarisation which is happening in society over the question of vaccination. It seems you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

So what choice do you make, and HOW to make your own personal decision among the deluge of 'expert' opinions, conspiracy theories (both for and against), fear and propaganda about all the dreadful things which will befall you no matter what choice you make? 

My way of coping with the confusion, intensity and polarisation is to not listen to either side. I have developed a strong and deep relationship with my body through coping with ulcerative colitis for nearly 20 years, my yoga and meditation practice, and of course my freediving.

I trust that, as long as I take care of my body, my body will take care of me. Some may call this naive, but it's what works for me, and actually it's grounded in science and evolutionary biology.

I'm here because my entire lineage of ancestors were SURVIVORS. Yours too... think about it. Millions and millions of people have not survived through the ages, and their genes did not get passed on - ours did. Our bodies have been learning to handle the onslaught of life in all its forms (bacteria, viruses, starvation, drought, big scary wild animals, shockingly evil humans) since forever, which means that each of us is at the peak of evolutionary wisdom, and should therefore be trusting our bodies more than ever before, and certainly much more deeply than most of us do.

The problem, as far as I'm concerned (and as my personal experience bears out), is that we have disconnected so deeply from this wisdom and come to rely upon the superficial quick-fixes of popping a pill, or clicking a button. We believe life is about instant gratification. However just as our bodies LEARN and GROW WISER when we continually feed them new nourishing or challenging information, when we dumb down our lifestyle, our bodies dumb down too. Adaptation happens in both directions. 

So, until the day that I absolutely HAVE to vaccinate, I will focus all of my energy and intention on developing my inner wisdom. Here are some ways you can join me on this path - as usual let me know how many you're already activating for your own wisdom evolution:

• daily meditation for stress relief : every dis-ease starts in the subtle realm of the unmanifest, so catch those negative thoughts before they have a chance to turn into something more physical

• plant-based diet : your microbiome builds your immunity, and plants build your microbiome

• asleep by 10am, for a solid eight hours each night : our bodies heal and repair best at night. Be asleep to allow that essential work to be done, it couldn't be simpler!

• daily barefoot walking : connection with nature in ANY way helps to reduce inflammation which in turn helps us stay healthy

• exercise (for me swimming or yoga) : increase your heart rate to keep all your body systems strong, in particular your digestive fire, which burns off waste and toxic matter which, if left to accumulate, can cause inflammation and chronic illness

• connection : we are wired for connection, it boosts our hormones and immunity so however that looks for you (taking restrictions and your personal beliefs into account) reach out, connect, support and be supported

Maybe you have a few ideas that are working for you - if so, please share.

And whichever way you choose to go on the great vaccination debate, I respect your personal choice. I hope you can respect mine, and that of those around you, even if it conflicts with yours. Remember that connection, rather than fighting, is one of our key ways to stay strong and healthy ;-)

Wishing you health, happiness, and loving acceptance during these polarising times - let's stay strong, together.