How I Support my Mental health During Difficult Times
We are seeing the world around us change before our very eyes. The coronavirus, which just a few weeks ago felt like a far-off pseudo-threat, has now imposed itself into nearly every aspect of our lives. Most people are mandated to work from home, some have been furloughed or laid off altogether. The grocery stores are raided, we may not see our loved ones for a couple of months and our places of solace and sanctuary may be shut down if they haven’t been already. Basically - to quote 10 Things I Hate About You (a great quarantine watch) - “The shit hath hitteth the fan.”
You might be feeling helpless, anxious, confused, worried, all of the above and more. There has never been a better time to check in with yourself and make your physical and mental health top priorities. Physically, it’s important to incorporate more immune-boosting practices into our daily routines to help prepare our bodies, should they come in contact with the virus. Mentally, it’s important to weigh what is in and out of our control, so we can manage our stress and not let it get the best of us as we navigate these new waters. It’s OKAY to feel anxious and OKAY to feel upset, depressed or however you might be feeling. I just want to share a few techniques that help me keep my body and mind in check when I’m in particularly stressful times.
Moving my body right out of bed - Every morning, no matter when I wake up (see number 2), I start my day with 100 jumping jacks…after putting on a sports bra (for all my fellow bouncy broads out there ;). Not only does this wake me up and get my blood moving, the feeling of using my strong and healthy lungs feels very reassuring and helps to quell any fears that might be creeping in. I also do a one minute plank and some gentle yoga (cat/cow, spinal twists and legs-up-the-wall). We’re in a moment of enforced stationary living, so starting the day with movement can counter some of that.
Prioritizing sleep - I’m going easy on myself when it comes to setting an alarm. Of course, this is a privilege as I set my own schedule, and not everyone can do this. If you can’t, maybe try to get to bed a bit earlier these days. Set a nighttime ritual with chamomile tea and a good book (see number 3) and avoid looking at your phone for an hour before you want to be asleep.
Taking the cheapest vacation - I know it’s cheesy, but I believe it’s true that reading a fiction book is like taking the cheapest, easiest vacation. It’s such a great escape for me and I have SO many I want to read that I now feel I can catch up on. If you’re not a big reader, download some audio books to fill your time. It doesn’t have to be fiction, but if you’re going to read non-fiction find a topic - be it business, relationships, personal development, etc - that speaks optimistically to the possibilities of this world. Reading fiction takes you to new, imagined places. Reading non-fiction can show you how to make those imagined places your reality and inspire hope in a time of uncertainty.
Drinking ALL. THE. TEA. - I’m normally not a huge tea drinker, but try to at least have a cup before bed. These days, however, there is no tea left un-drunk. I’m constantly brewing detox, immunity boosting, calming, herbal, green, you-name-it tea for me and my parents to keep our health up and keep us hydrated. It’s also still quite chilly in Ohio so it’s actually a really nice way to stay warm at home.
Hang time with my dog - When I lived in Chicago I used to volunteer for “Pet Therapy” at a senior home in my neighborhood. I didn’t have a dog or cat but would partner with someone who did and walk around to the bed-side of these seniors to let them snuggle, pet and talk to the animals. The therapeutic benefits of chilling with an animal friend are real, and spending time with them during this pandemic can help ease the burden.
Meditation and Breath Work - I probably don’t have to tell you how effective meditation and breathing exercises are at calming fear and anxiety. I’ve been turning to these regularly when the news outside starts to feel too overwhelming to deal with. REMEMBER - it’s ok if your brain starts to think random thoughts. Meditation isn’t in the stillness of your mind, it’s in the learning to still your mind. In other words, every time the thoughts creep in and you successfully redirect your concentration to the present moment, you’re doing it right. Learning this really helped me get rid of stories that I wasn’t “good” at meditating or wasn’t doing it correctly, and I wanted to share in case it also helps and encourages you :)
