Feeling worried? Stressed out more than usual?
In these uncertain times, it’s confusing how much TV-news one should watch. It’s totally normal to feel stressed and even overwhelmed by all of the negative news coming out about the Covert 19 flu epidemic.
Here are some tips to help you get through these days:
Focus on what you can control. When all we hear are things out of our control, we may feel helpless. Stick to your typical daily work schedule. daily routines, and resist the urge to change it based on fear or worry. If events or plans are cancelled, then have a backup plan. Get in a walk in the neighborhood, or take advantage of many free virtual exercise programs that are now being offered, get moving. Also don’t forget to get caught up on your favorite book, or that podcast or show that everyone's talking about.
Connect with friends and family online. Virtually everyone has video capabilities on their phone or tablet these days. Get connected to wifi and video chat with your grandma, your aunt, your college roommate. This is the time to connect up and remind us all to take these relationships for granted! Social distancing does not mean emotional distancing!
Get outside. Look up, look at the trees, the stars, the clouds. Smell the air and the outside! Look down, notice the earth below. Nature can be a great reminder and a way to ground ourselves--or bring us back to the moment.
Practice Mindfulness! The thing about worry and fear is that it takes us out of the moment. Keep your thoughts and feelings in the moment, try deep breathing. Get your thoughts back to what you can control--which is your reaction to the here and now. When we rile ourselves up, it will only make getting through a stressful time more challenging! Try the app CALM for free.
Finally, be grateful. Try it--what are 3 things you are grateful for, right now? Your family? Your health? Your resiliency? Your faith? Your friends? Your job? Your willingness to try new things? Your fur-baby? Your artistic talent? Your persistence? Your smarts? Your home? Gratitude brings us back to what matters, a greater perspective on things, and also improves our mood!
While we may have fear and worry, and while we need to take precautions and recommendations for our health seriously, we also need to be diligent for our mental health. You can get through this time with resilience if you make a few steps to keep focused on what matters--our mind, body and spirit.
Take care of yourselves!
Aida
PS. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you feel more anxious than usual as many now provide telehealth services. Get the help that you need if your symptoms are getting the best of you!