There is no denying coronavirus has literally changed the world. Every single one of us has been affected by this. And we can all see the worries. People are losing hours of work, which means income has been affected. Once the income is affected, so is the stability, so is our security. And if our health is affected, nothing else really matters.
We are living in a pandemic. This is our new reality!
It’s normal to be troubled and concerned about the uncertainty of life as we know it. Humans find comfort in routines. So even the people who work from home on a regular basis feel interrupted. As my virtual assistant, Betsy says, “there’s a difference between ‘I work-from-home’ and ‘I’m working from home because the government is requiring me to do so’.” As our lives have dramatically changed overnight, many are struggling with finding ways to deal with the new reality. Nobody knows how long the pandemic will last or how long it will be until we can go back to our regular lives. Everything is out of our control, the future is unknown.
For those who struggle with anxiety, these are extremely tough times, and for those who have never experienced anxiety, they might be experiencing for the first time.
How can we respond to the COVID19 situation in a way that will preserve our mental well-being and remain mindful?
Here are some tips to stay coronavirus free and mentally stable:
Wash your hands: I’m sure you’ve heard this one a lot, but how about being MINDFUL when you wash your hands? Smell the scent of the soap, feel the water running, and make sure you get under your fingernails. This is the best way to “mindfully" wash your hands.
Social Distancing does not mean connection distancing. Avoid large crowds and gatherings, but make calls, facetime, or video chats and connect with your loved one. Make sure they are okay and let them know you are okay as well.
Take your temperature. Coronavirus is accompanied by fever, so make sure you have that on-check.
Create new routines. As I mentioned before, humans find comfort in routines. But our current reality is a different one, so now, instead of going to the gym, workout at home or go for a run to a nearby park instead. Schedule some activities with your children or partner that you may have been putting on hold because of work demands.
Accept your negative emotions. It is important to acknowledge that a lot of anxious thoughts and emotions will show up during this time, and you should accept them rather than trying to push them away. Research shows that avoidance of such emotions will only make them stronger and they will last longer. So accept them, and move through them by practicing breath work or actually moving by walking or doing some yoga moves--unless you are into working out and have a full workout from home!
Re-invent self-care. Again, this goes back to our new reality being different now, therefore self-care for some might change as well. For example, I used to go to the spa for self-care, now the spa is closed. So instead, my husband and I take turns giving each other massages. This not only helps with self-care, but it helps you reconnect with your spouse.
Limit your time to media exposure. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying ignore COVID19, stay informed! But you do not need to be watching it 24/7. All you need is a once a day dosage or maybe 1 hour of catching up. The point is to stay informed but not overwhelmed.
Do Not Panic! Collective panic is the worst. Choose to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Take this as an opportunity to get to know technology more, and use it to connect with people on a deeper level.
Here are some ideas on the new activities you can engage in during this pandemic:
Maybe spend more time on a project that you have been delaying because of your old routine
Do your own manicure and pedicure or facials
Go to the park with your family
Dedicate more time to the things you love
Let your creative side shine.
You have two choices, panic and become overwhelmed with anxiety, or use this as an opportunity to connect to something deeper. My team and I will continue to show support to our community by providing counseling virtually.
Your Therapy Friend,
Sofia
Sofia Robirosa is the owner of Infinite Therapeutic Services and is a Perinatal & Relationships Expert. She offers individual, couples, and family counseling to individuals seeking to enhance their relationship with their children and significant other. Her private practice is located in Plantation, FL. She attended Nova Southeastern University for both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Business Administration. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Professional, and a Leader in Active Parenting for children and teens. She loves her family, which consists of her husband, daughter and son, and two dogs. Some of her interests outside of work include spending time outdoors, traveling, and dining. Read more about her at: www.infinitetherapeuticservices.com and follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/infinitetherapy/