Stay strong in a crisis
As I write this, we have all been asked to shelter in place, staying at home as much as possible due to the pandemic. This puts pressure on both individuals, who may now be very alone, and couples, who may struggle with the need for time and space alone. Everyone is worried and feeling stressed. Here’s how to stay strong in this crisis.
1. To stay strong, stay in touch with colleagues, friends and family members. Although you may not be able to have face-to-face physical contact with people you care about, you can still use phone, video, FaceTime, and other technologies to see and talk to people who are close to you. You and your colleagues can talk and support each other in this crisis.
2. Take time to understand what you are feeling and experiencing. If you have emotional reactions that are not normal for you, such as angry outbursts or anxiety, take some time to feel the feelings. Don’t be afraid to cry or express what you feel. If you can, write it down. It’s amazing how writing down your fears makes them more manageable.
3. Talk to others who understand and tell them how you feel and understand how they feel. Don’t just say you’re “fine” when someone asks. Really let them know how you’re doing and find out about them. You will feel so much better after sharing and learning that others have the same struggles. If you have children, play with them and talk about how everyone is feeling.
4. Try to spend some time outdoors, even if it’s in your own yard or a nearby park. Being around grass, trees and flowers helps relieve tension. Just keep your distance from others.
5. If you have a pet, cuddle with it. Petting a dog or cat can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and give you a mental break.
6. Talk to a mental health professional. Even if it’s a phone or video session, talking to a mental health professional can help you understand your feelings and manage stress.
7. Meditate: If you can get some time alone, just sit and focus on your breathing until you feel yourself relaxing. You can pray or you can just sit quietly and count your breaths.
8. Move: Walk around the yard or outdoors, as long as you stay away from other people. A brisk walk for ten or fifteen minutes can give you a chance to relax and de-stress.
8. Play soothing music: Angry rock or rap probably won’t help, but soothing music, whether it’s classical, meditative or upbeat, can help reduce your stress a lot.
I hope you are well and safe and I wish all of us a speedy end to this crisis.
© 2020 Tina B. Tessina It All Ends With You: Grow Up and Break Out of Dysfunction
#Stay #strong #crisis
