It’s no secret that these are stressful times. Between Zoom conference calls, makeshift homeschooling, and the ever-present anxiety of not being able to see our friends and family, it can be hard to feel balanced in the midst of a global pandemic. But managing your stress is one of the most powerful ways you can take control of your overall health and wellbeing. So, in honor of National Stress Awareness Day, here are four ways you can cope with overwhelming feelings, circumstances, and current events.
1. Prioritize Self-Care
Louder for the people in the back: self-care is not selfish...in fact, it’s the greatest gift you can give to the people around you! After all, there’s no way you can consistently show up for another person without first showing up for yourself. How to do it? Start simple: get enough sleep, move your body every day, be thoughtful about the foods you eat, and commit to some kind of mindfulness practice. Consider those the foundational pillars of self-care, and build from there.
2. Connect
If you’ve felt disconnected lately, you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world are feeling isolated and socially-deprived during these distanced times. Get creative about what it means to nurture relationships right now. Instead of brunch, maybe adjust your weekend routine to include Saturday morning video chats over breakfast with a close friend. Other ways to reach out and stay connected: send postcards to loved ones, or get a recurring socially-distant walk in the park on the calendar.
3. Self-Soothe
Whether it’s taking slow, deep, deliberate breaths, lighting yummy-smelling candles, or taking an evening epsom salt bath, we all have different ways of re-calibrating after (or during) a stressful day. Experiment to find which healthy reset routines work best for you, then build your mental toolbox. Knowing you have these useful, positive exercises and activities to turn to when you feel yourself succumbing to stress can be incredibly helpful.
4. Avoid News Fatigue
Knowing the facts can be empowering, and can lead to a less stressful outlook overall. Pick a few, science-backed news sources you trust, then decide when during the day (or week) you’ll check in for any COVID-19 related updates. Having a set time to collect new information can help prevent late-night doom scrolling while still letting you feel up-to-date.
We hope these ideas are helpful to you. As we continue to navigate this uncertain time, let’s remember that despite the distance between us, no one is truly going through it alone. Any other stress-busting habits you swear by? Let us know below!
