Coping with COVID-19
- Jaime Lauren
- Apr 21, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 27, 2020
These are tough times, folks. We are managing a pandemic, homeschooling for ourselves or others, loss of social contact and connection, and for some of us, loss of a job. Now may be a time for reinvention for some, but for others, it's about just getting by.
In a time of uncertainty, it helps to remember the places where we do have control. Spend some time with yourself each day evaluating:
1. What do I need? Attend to your physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and social selves to get a better understanding about where your attention needs to go.
2. How do I get that need met? For example, does your body feel slow, achy, and tired? Have you been getting exercise? How about your diet? Is it filled with junk? Have you been out of the house to breathe fresh air? All of those things you have control over. Do you need to start an Instagram or Tik Tok account and become a fitness influencer or food blogger? No. You simply need to set one small goal and stick to it.
3. What is working for me? When we are depressed, anxious, or stressed we often focus on all of the things that aren't going well. Let's try and find the places where you are having success. Any act of self-care during this time is a WIN!
4. Spend some time expressing gratitude. Should you relish in the fact that life has changed overnight and that you're experiencing loss? No, but you can spend a few minutes each day identifying things, people, places, ideas, you are grateful for. Research shows that gratitude improves mood, relationships, physical and emotional health, and mental resilience to name a few (Forbes, 2014).
5. Lastly, take it easy on yourself. We are great at giving others compassion and empathy bu often times set ourselves to a higher standard. Practice self-compassion, self-love, and self-kindness during this time. Remind yourself, we haven't been here before so there is no script for how you should feel, think, or act. And if things are tough and you need support, reach out. Call a friend, family member, religious leader, or counselor for support. You are not alone.
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