Taking back some control amid COVID
At times of acute stress, like now, we need to consider what activities support us to function well and eliminate those that don't.
On a very fundamental level, it's never been more important to get good sleep, eat well, exercise and surround ourselves with positive people - to lean in rather than isolate ourselves. Many people find that simple things like being in nature, listening to music, playing a musical instrument, even savouring a cup of tea in the backyard nourish the soul. These things can help enable us to continue to meet the needs of family and loved ones, and to do meaningful work.
It's very much a grassroots-up approach.
If you are drinking too much or relying on other things as a coping mechanism, change to somethi
ng more constructive. Anxiety is usually driven by fear, so it might also be the time to avoid those things that make you more fearful - like lots and lots of frightening media reports about COVID deaths.
This is the time when all of us need to be practising self-care and self-compassion. If you are feeling tired and overwhelmed, then raise the bar - enjoy some extra sleep, boost your diet with nutrient-dense foods, load up with antioxidants and multivitamins, savour some precious downtime.
Even high-functioning people are now starting to feel the effects of months and months of strain and change. It's more important than ever to be compassionate, considerate and kind - to others as well as to ourselves.
