To say that things feel uncertain right now is an understatement.
We’re in the midst of a pandemic and trying to understand how we continue with our lives while staying home, what this all means for our economy, how we support one another, and how to parse through lots of mixed messages in the media. With many companies instituting work from home policies, universities moving classes to a virtual format, restaurants closing, and now San Francisco ordering everyone to shelter-in-place, everyone is trying to adjust to a new “normal”.
We don’t know what will happen next and how long things will be this way, which is leading to lots of stress - the sort of stress that leads to people hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
It’s totally normal and natural to feel out of control right now given the level of uncertainty we all face. At the same time, there is also a lot in our control too. Beyond having control over things like washing your hands and staying home (please please please stay home unless you absolutely need to go to the store for supplies!), you also have control over how you react to the current situation. You get to decide if you want to respond in fear or take steps to respond in a nurturing way for yourself and others.
Yes, of course I’m worried about everything going on, but I also know that I have a voice and platform where I can share best practices and helpful thoughts. I’m choosing to use that platform to spread more love and light rather than fear and anxiety.
We all have the power to do this and it all starts with how we’re taking care of ourselves. Our mental, physical, and emotional state all contribute to how we’re processing what’s happening around us and whether we’re spreading more love or fear. By taking the time to focus on our own wellbeing, not only are we taking care of ourselves, we’re also taking care of those around us. That old saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? Yeah, there’s a lot of truth to it.
So what can you do to take care of yourself in the midst of this uncertainty? Here are some things that are working for me:
1. Find ways to stay connected to others
Humans are community-oriented beings, so we’re not used to being physically separate from one another for extended periods of time. We’re being told to practice social distancing, but if we’re not careful, we run the risk of feeling isolated (which we know is already a problem for many in our society).
As someone who as spent time has a solopreneur, I know first hand how hard it can be to spend all of your time working alone in your apartment and feel separate from the world. Some of my normal “go to” fixes for this (like going to a networking event or working out of a coffee shop) just aren’t possible right now. That said, there’s still a lot we can do to find connection!
A few examples:
Set up virtual hangouts with your friends and family. How lucky are we to live in a time where video conferencing is widely accessible and easy to use?! Schedule video calls with your loved ones so you can see their smiling faces and get some more human interaction. Not quite the same as a hug, but it helps!
Check in on your neighbors. While this may not be the best time to host building-wide gathering, it doesn’t mean you can’t connect with the people around you. Create a text or email chain in your building so you can share resources (whether it’s website info or a much needed roll of toilet paper), alert anyone if you get sick, pitch in if anyone else needs help, and feel a sense of mutual support where you live.
Have roommates? Host a dress up dinner together at home! A friend of mine mentioned she’s doing this with her roommate and I thought it was a brilliant idea! Get all dressed up like you’re going to go out, but dine in the comfort of your own home. Make a fun recipe or try a new cocktail you’ve been eyeing. Get creative and have fun with it!
2. Remember to get enough sleep + Hydrate
Sleep, sleep, sleep! Get your 8+ hours of sleep! Also water, water, water! Drink up! Both are super important for your immune system and your brain (which are important for keeping you healthy and managing your stress/reactions to the world around you).
Set reminders to yourself throughout the day to drink water and set a bedtime for yourself. Now is the perfect time to get into some great habits.
3. Disconnect to reconnect purposefully
Yes it’s super important to stay informed, but constantly reading news articles about COVID-19 isn’t going to help your stress levels. What can you do about it?
Reserve specific times of day for yourself to disconnect.
For example, determine the last possible time you’re allowed to read or watch the news before you go to bed (I suggest at least an hour before bedtime). I’m very into this type of media before bed timeline on a “normal” day, but right now it’s arguably even more important to put some limits on yourself.
Feeling resistance to that suggestion? I get the urge to stay constantly tuned into an ever changing situation, but trust me, scrolling through social media or news sites right before you’re planning to go to sleep isn’t going to help you doze off. You’re better off closing your computer, reading a book for a bit (I’m currently reading fiction to help my mind get lost in a story), and getting a good night’s sleep. You’ll have plenty of time to read the news the next day.
Similarly, I recommend reserving first thing in the morning for disconnect time too. While it can feel like you’re more in control if you grab your phone and immediately look up the latest news when you wake up, your brain actually needs some time to wake up before it can process this information. So give yourself time to take a shower, make a coffee, exercise, or meditate, and THEN you can look at the latest COVID-19 news.
4. Make time for movement
While it’s easy to binge Netflix or get totally caught up in our computer screens when we don’t need to go into the office, it’s important that we don’t just sit all day. Movement is vital for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Even though your gym or favorite fitness studio is likely closed, it’s not quite so difficult to get in a workout thanks to technology. Lots of apps (like Tone It Up and Down Dog) are providing their services for free right now to make fitness more accessible while people are stuck at home.
Even if you take time to do some pushups throughout the day, that’s better than nothing! Something to get our bodies moving and blood flowing is a great help for our mental clarity and how we respond to stress.
5. Set a goal or work on a project
The upside of being forced to slow down and stay home? You have time on your hands!
Been wanting to work on a side project for a while, but keep feeling like you don’t have the time? Have a goal that you’ve been putting off actually dedicating yourself to?
Now is the perfect time to get to work! Not only will you feel great once you accomplish your goal or finish your project, but it can also be a great distraction from all of the COVID-19 news and posts you’re consuming.
If you’re like me, it can also be helpful to have an accountability buddy so you stick to what you say you want to accomplish. It’s also a perfect excuse to get some virtual hangout time in with a friend.
Remember, there is a lot more in your control that you might think right now, beginning with how you take care of yourself. By focusing on your wellbeing, you’ll be better able to handle the stress we’re all currently under and to choose how you react to it. When you react with love over fear, you can have a positive ripple effect on those around you - and we could all use a little more positivity right now.
Have any other tips that are working for you right now? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Be well,
Carolyn
Please note: I’m not a doctor nor an expert on this pandemic in any way shape or form, so please follow CDC guidelines and your local government directives when determining if it’s okay to go outside, what to do if you have symptoms, etc.