In a stressful time such as this, it’s easy to get lost in worry. Staying healthy, caring for family, working from home or not working at all – there’s no shortage of things to agonize over. You may find yourself anxious and unsettled, even if you’re usually the picture of peace. Below are a few tips to help ease anxiety during COVID-19.
- Disconnect when you can. There is no shortage of upsetting news updates and no shortage of ways to stare at a screen. Make sure you’re taking time away from your computer or phone to disconnect. Turn off the news for a minute and check in with yourself, how you’re feeling and what you might need.
- Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Are you feeling tired? Have you been laying on the couch for too long? Craving comfort food or something green and leafy? Take note of how you’re feeling, even if it’s out of the normal. Your body could be craving more rest if you’re under new stress or more exercise if you’re newly dormant.
- Fuel yourself for success. While it may be tempting to fully embrace comfort and junk food, try to maintain some balance. Don’t say no to that warm blueberry muffin, but also fit in a leafy green salad here or there. Now isn’t the time to restrictively diet and compound stress, but also don’t ignore your body’s need for healthy fuel either.
- Find what works for you. If you, like so many others, have recently found your entire routine is turned upside down, now is your chance to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Maybe you usually have to be in the office by 9 but have found that you’re most productive early in the morning or late evening. Everyone’s schedule might look a little different, so give yourself the freedom to figure out yours!
- Stay connected. Just because everyone is social distancing doesn’t mean you have to become a hermit. Take time to video chat with your friends and family or reconnect with an old friend that you’ve been meaning to catch up to. Outside connection can help remind us that we’re not alone in this.
- Practice true relaxation. While vegging out in front of the TV for a few episodes of TV is nice, it doesn’t have the same relaxing effect that you may think it does. To truly loosen up, try turning to meditative breaths or yoga to relax both body and mind
- Don’t bottle it up. You’ll quickly find that holding in your worries and fears won’t solve your problems but compound them. Try the uncomfortable and gratifying practice of letting them out. Try journaling, talking with a close friend or a professional about how you feel.
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