Hey everyone! I genuinely never thought a blogpost on quarantine would pour out of my fingertips but alas, it’s 2020 and here we are. Over the past couple of weeks, there has been an increase in panic, which we can all feel. Here are some ways to relax, get regulated and to stay healthy and productive in quarantine:
Get Creative (stay productive)
Mmmk, maybe you’re wondering what the heck I mean by “getting creative” while in this strange predicament. Let me explain myself. Perhaps you’re working from home now, or you are taking time to re-evaluate how you’re going to possibly manage your finances/business during this period. What have you been putting off due to fear or uncertainty of how to approach the task? Are you putting off doing some research that can help your personal or professional well-being? Use this time to your benefit! Take advantage of this time and reframe this experience as your opportunity to be productive (personally or professionally).
Take Time for Yourself & Your Family
Turn off the news. Unplug from social media. This is an opportunity to reconnect without the hysteria and chaotic noise from the media and public. This is your chance to practice presence, self-care and connectedness that you perhaps haven’t found time for as an individual or a family unit. This may be an opportunity to practice introspection and set some new, relevant, personal goals.
Learning to Be OK With the Unknown
This is an opportunity to practice regulating yourself and to reduce anxiety. Anxiety lives in the future with “what ifs” and a host of other frustrating, unproductive thoughts. No one can predict what we are going to come up against in the upcoming months, for better or for worse. This is an opportunity to learn to sit with the unknown and manage to do your best with what you do know. This period may increase your anxiety and if this is the case for you, seek help to acquire the tools that will help you overcome overwhelm, or reach out to others who can support you.
Our Behaviour Creates Chain Reactions
Many clients have spoken to me about their anxiety related to everyone’s panic about COVID-19, but not so much about the virus itself. Interesting, right? Watching others panic creates more panic. It’s simple. At a time where we need our immune function, stress is one of the least helpful guests.
Find something that helps you to feel calm. Perhaps is your breath, reading, maybe it’s listening to music, a walk outside, maybe it’s an uplifting conversation with a friend or family member. Whatever it is, practice finding your feet, or a sense of groundedness to reduce stress.
There is no doubt that this health emergency is worrisome. However, we are in this as a community, local and global. This is a time where working together as a community is critical to ensure each other’s well-being and health. Take care of yourself and send love to those around you.
How can you make this time effective for you, rather than shutdown or panic? Feel free to leave comments or little inspirations for others in the comments!
Sending my best wishes to everyone! Let’s work together to make sure we protect the vulnerable and our own well-being (physically and mentally)!
If you would like more support, Sana Counselling offers online cognitive behavioural therapy in Vancouver.