Pandemic Panic
Tend to Your Wellbeing
What the hell?! This pretty much sums up the last month or two. Life as we know it changed in an instant. Our day to day norms are now a thing of the past. Activities that were once viewed as burdensome such as grocery shopping or getting gas are now some of the only activities considered essential and allowed. Some folks went from partying at clubs to partying in their living rooms to a mix from popular DJ’s on Instagram. Having a monitor or screen is required to hang out with friends. Working from home is no longer a once a week occurrence. It is a necessity. To homeschool or not to homeschool is no longer a question. It is the way of the world. Sweatpants are standard uniform and wearing shoes is doing too much.
Major changes have occurred throughout the world and have left many of us feeling scared, anxious, uncertain, and in a funk. Everywhere you turn, there is depressing news. Whatever we were already struggling with has been magnified by the pandemic. Let me first normalize what some are experiencing. Feeling worried, lonely, or unsure is very normal and okay. You are not alone in feeling this way. For most of us, this is the first time we have experienced something like this.
During this uncertain time, it is imperative that we still tend to our emotional wellbeing. Here are some ways to do just that:
Limit News Watching. The news is sensationalized. There’s nothing positive being said. Daily, we hear about the thousands of people that are sick and have died. There’s very little mention of individuals that have recovered and are doing well. Therefore, a message of hope is nonexistent. Limit your exposure to the news. I suggest 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening at most.
Create a Daily Schedule. It is easy to let the day slip away while binge-watching your favorite shows. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place for this. However, this should not be our daily norm during this time. Binge-watching shows typically involves laying on a sofa, eating junk, and only getting up to use the bathroom. The way we humans operate is the more we do something the more we want it. The more we sleep, the more we want to sleep. The more junk we eat, the more junk we want to eat. Creating a schedule makes us more productive and gives us something to look forward to. It also creates a sense of normalcy and stability. Set a bedtime for yourself and try to wake up at a specific time daily. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Set a start and end time for work. Make sure you include time for fun.
Do That Thing. You know the thing you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time. Well, now is your chance. Do the thing you’ve always dreamed of or put on the back burner for when you found the time. Learn Spanish, write that memoir or screenplay, create your fashion line, or draft your business plan. In five years when we look back at this time, how do we want to say we spent it, being a couch potato or being a creator (as you accept your Oscar for Best Screenplay).
Get Moving. Physical activity is necessary for a healthy body and mind. Physical activity promotes the release of endorphins, feel-good hormones, in the body. Daily, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity. Doing the activity outdoors while maintaining social distancing is highly recommended. Go outdoors and get some fresh air. Try taking a nice walk around your neighborhood or play tag with the kiddos in your yard.
Be Still. Now that you’ve moved your body, be still. Be still literally and figuratively. Find space in your home and meditate. Practice being present in the moment, not mentally time traveling back to the past or forward to the future. Mental time travel does not serve us well. Traveling back to the past often brings up feelings of guilt, regret, and sadness and traveling to the future creates anxiety around all the ‘what ifs”. Being present is peace.
Surrender. Let go of needing to know. We are in uncertain times and do not know how or when they will conclude. Surrender to the idea that it is okay that we do not know. This allows us to release some of the anxiety that comes from needing to know or needing to seek certainty. Needing to know is our way of trying to control the outcome. The reality is, we are not in control. This current pandemic is evidence of that. Part of surrendering is also learning to lean on something greater than yourself. For some, this is a spiritual relationship, a principle, or the golden rule. Whatever it is, it needs to be greater than you because trying to conquer uncertainty alone usually leaves us feeling exhausted from the ruminating thoughts.
Connect. Just because we must physically quarantine, does not mean we have to socially isolate. Stay in contact with family and friends. Share your day and thoughts and feelings with others. Human connection is a necessity for our wellbeing. If you live alone, make it a point to communicate with someone every day. If you have a full house, connect with each other in a meaningful way. Cut off the TV and talk or play a game together.
Find Meaning. Let’s not let this time be in vain. There is much to be gained during this time and my hope is that we are wise enough to receive it. Find purpose and meaning of this quarantine for your life. Maybe it is to spend more time with your family or take more pleasure in being able to do things such as walk in the park. Whatever it may be, there is purpose and we must make the choice to find meaning. My hope is that we are all better as individuals, a country, and world when we come out on the other side of this.
Taking care of our emotional wellbeing during this uncertain time is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Now is the perfect time to start implementing healthy routines so we can continue them once we return to our fast-paced lives. This is new terrain for us all so please show yourself some grace with how you handle it. Professional support is available if managing becomes more difficult than desired. Be entertained as you Netflix and chill, but more importantly, Surrender and Be Still.
The content on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat, it is for informational purposes only. Please call our office at 404-618-1040 ext. 1 for an appointment or contact a mental health professional in your local area if you are seeking treatment.