Fear of the Unknown: Staying Mindful in a Time of Uncertainty

 “Awaken Your Fearless Heart.”
 
That’s the title of Tara Brach’s podcast this week, and it went to the heart of one of our biggest emotions: fear.
 
It’s the second episode in a two-part series on facing fear and addressing one of our most powerful emotions.  As I listened to the episode from Brach, arguably one of America’s best contemporary meditation and mindfulness teachers, the content resonated as we are faced with these trying times.
 
In her teachings, Brach explains how fear manifests, its role in our emotional bodies, and how we can find ways to move from a state of constriction and disconnection, to one of openness and understanding.
 
Put simply, rather than trying to grip tight onto what we cannot control and resist the emotional responses that arise, we are encouraged to step toward our experience, to seek to understand the source of our emotional response, so that ultimately we can resolve the anxiety and fear that arises.
 
Furthermore, Brach offers practical and simple coping mechanisms for when fear arises. This includes coherent (equal-part) breathing, body scanning, and grounding into the physical body. Generally speaking, they’re useful tips to keep on hand when you may need them.
 
Fear also seemed a timely topic for this week, as our industry is impacted by the postponement or cancellation of some of our biggest trade fairs, and local event organizers scramble to calm people’s nerves.
 
After all, our work is driven by face-to-face, in-person contact, and that’s exactly what we’re currently being told to avoid. There’s fear at the heart of that.
 
But rather than hunker down, isolate and create mind-chatter that may not be true, wine communications and events professional Mary Burnham and I have devised a short list of six practical tips for those of us who may be feeling anxious in public spaces at these times, which we hope you find useful. (Please note, these are in addition to the latest health warnings being issues by government agencies and health authorities)
 
No Handshakes
When meeting new people, consider elbow bumps or shallow bows, or find a way to deflect a proffered hand that feels graceful to you. I’ve been saying “It’s SO nice to meet you” with a smile and then saying, “I’m not shaking hands right now, hope you understand…”
 
Avoid Contact with Contacts
It’s tempting for those industry people you know well to give a welcoming hug. But for now, no bisous or hugs or even air kisses. If need be, hold up a hand and say, “I’m not getting to close to anyone right now, I hope you understand.” (And then tell them how great it is to see them….)
 
BYO Tasting Glass and Spit Cup
Walk around tastings are a minefield of half-polished glassware and spittoon splashback, so bring your own tasting glass and personal spittoon to minimize the risk of cross contamination.
 
Leverage Technology
Public gatherings are networking honeypots, but you don’t have to take someone’s business card from their potentially germy hand, that maybe they sneezed all over at breakfast that morning. Turn on your Wi-Fi and use Air Drop; it’s fast, super-convenient and if they don’t have Air Drop, ask them for their info and put in to your phone yourself – don’t give them your phone.
 
Avoid the Snacks!
At a tasting event? Don’t eat the cheese cubes and crackers, or whatever else is out on platters for everyone to sneeze over and pick through. Bring your own crackers if you need a bite of something between tasting flights.
 
Be a Responsible Event Host
If you are the gathering host, direct guests in advance to stay home if they are have a fever or are coughing. Have hand sanitizer available and put sneeze guards on food platters, if possible.
 
Ask the venue host what their protections are for guests, and if they are making sure that staff working the event are not ill. Finally, make sure you’re covered in your venue contract if you need to cancel the event entirely.
 
While fear can arise in these most uncertain of times, it is an emotional response and state that can be managed. Bring it back to earth by reminding yourself tat you are safe and healthy. Then by making space for mindful practice, meditation, breathwork, and staying connected to your community you can hopefully find some peace of mind.
 
Namaste,
Beck

What We’re Reading:

There's no shortage of wine stories and media inundating our IN Boxes. Here's what has piqued our interest this week.

Becoming a Mindful Drinker Changed My Life – Vox.com

Author, bar owner, and cocktail expert Arthur Brown shares his journey toward moderation and mindfulness.
 
The Difference Between Worry, Stress and Anxiety – The New York Times.com

They are not all the same, but we do have tips to help you deal with them.

Meet the Community!

Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.

Emily Wines MS, Vice President of Wine and Beverage Experience, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant (Chicago, USA)

Years In Industry:

I have been working in restaurants for around 30 years and I have been a sommelier for 20 of those. My early years were spent at the Fifth Floor restaurant in San Francisco, part of the Kimpton Hotels group, eventually leading 65 dining concepts across the US as Senior Director of Beverage and Bars. It was during this time I achieved the Master Sommelier accreditation. After a stint as GM for Skipstone Ranch, I joined Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant in 2017 leading their beverage and wine programs. Most recently we created a new wine brand that celebrates strong women called “Camille”. Camille Brave and Camille Proud are the first two cuveés and it’s a project I’m thrilled to be leading.

My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:

With travel, maintaining a routine is tricky. It takes extra effort to exercise and it is easy to over indulge. We are in a social industry and when I feel lonely on the road I know a friend is out there in any number of restaurants or bars across the country. I find that I eat and drink more when I travel and I have to catch up on self-care back home more than I would like. 

How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:

My newest self-care move has been to treat myself to massages when I travel. It seemed expensive and unnecessary for so long, but I have found that by doing this I spend the same money I might going out to eat and drink anyway, and the reward is that I feel more relaxed and balanced. I also do this in lieu of going out so the next day I am much more refreshed. It has been the best decision ever!

I have several favorite workout videos on YouTube to reference for workouts in case I only have time for a quickie in my hotel room and I reserve my most binge-worthy TV shows to watch on the treadmill. It makes the exercise a treat rather than something to dread. In particular I really like Maris Aylward’s Yoga Upload. She has a good range of short and long practices and has many that are hands free for when I mess up my wrists.  Also Team Beachbody has a TON of videos on demand and it is worth a subscription.  Of these, I like the Insanity cardio workouts and the Brazil Butt Lift videos. (now you know all my secrets!) But those are the easiest to do in a hotel room.

You can connect with Emily on Instagram @emily.wines or with Copers Hawk Winery online at CoopersHawkWinery.com Instagram @chwinery  and Facebook @CoopersHawkWinery 

Let’s Meet Up!

The wine world is truly global and we hope to see you at these industry events and gatherings.

ABG Events and Presenter Activities:
Wonder Women of Wine , Mar 28 - 29, Austin TX
Panelist “Choose Wine - and Wellness"  (Beck)

Women for WineSense 2020 Grand Event, May 14 - 16, 2020, Sonoma CA
Panelist "Wine and Wellness" (Beck)  

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Industry Event Travel:
Bologna Business School April 7 – 9, Bologna IT (Cathy)

Drop a line to rebecca@abalancedglass.com or cathy@enolytics.com if you are interested in getting together for practice, a chat or a great glass together.