Job loss, isolation, sickness and death are the big topics for discussion as we navigate our way through this global pandemic. Many of us are battling intense feelings of stress that are probably weighing heavily on our mental, physical and spiritual health.
The upside is that you can feel comforted knowing that you are not going through this struggle alone as, now more than ever, we are all in this together. But, the downside is that you may be experiencing challenges in coping with the uncertainty of the times.
If you are having a hard time, this post is for you as I will provide five tips to help you lean into self-care to cope with a crisis and come out more resilient.
Self-Care Tip #1 – Take A Mental Break
We are continually being bombarded with information via the tv, phone and internet to pass our time in isolation during this global pandemic. But, I encourage you to take a break every so often. Of course, we have to stay current as things rapidly change, but it’s okay to permit yourself to cut out the external noise. This conscious effort to take a mental break is how you embrace your thoughts and create space for growth.
Some activities that you can do to help are as follows:
Meditation – A mental relaxation technique
Contemplation – Reflect deeply on a specific thought
Journalling – Capturing personal thoughts, emotions and events in writing
Breathing exercises – Conscious effort and focus on breathing
Self-reflection – Reflecting on how you interact with yourself and the world around you
Learn How Self-Care Can Help During A Pandemic Here
Self-Care Tip #2 – Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is the act of consciously making an effort to be grateful or appreciative. During times of uncertainty, practicing gratitude can take your attention away from the unfavourable things that you probably can’t control while helping you focus more on the things that you are thankful for right now.
Give it a try by dedicating five minutes every day to thinking, writing or saying out loud one thing you are grateful for. Another option is to find a quote on gratitude that resonates with you.
Here’s one of my favourite quotes on gratitude:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Melody Beattie
Self-Care Tip #3 – Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness focuses on being aware of what you are feeling without judgement. In other words, acknowledge your current situation without passing judgement on it. This concept is demonstrated through self-kindness and self-compassion while resolving to be in the moment.
When things are uncertain, you often can’t change what is happening, but by practicing mindfulness, you can begin to create space to find joy, whether big or small, in every moment. Here’s a quick example:
Without mindfulness:
Trisha is unemployed due to layoffs caused by the 2020 global pandemic. She is feeling afraid, defeated and confused. She is uncertain about her future and how she is going to pay her rent in two weeks. Trisha turns off her phone, so she can’t be reached by her close friends and family and spends her whole day in bed feeling powerless, which quickly spirals out of control and into a deep depression.
With mindfulness:
Trisha is unemployed due to layoffs caused by the 2020 global pandemic. She is feeling afraid, defeated and confused. She is uncertain about her future and how she is going to pay her rent in two weeks. Trisha spends 10-15 minutes every morning showing gratitude for a new day and reminding herself to be patient, kind and compassionate with herself and others.
Download The Introduction To Meditation Pdf At Avoshea Online
Self-Care Tip #4 – Connect With People And Things That Bring Joy
During times of uncertainty, it’s easy to isolate yourself from the world entirely and do absolutely nothing. While some alone time is great, the reality is that we are human, and we thrive on connection.
There are many negative influences out there that we should all beware of, but there are also several positive ones that can make you feel great. So, if you completely isolate yourself from one, you automatically isolate yourself from the other.
As a result of the global pandemic, many of us are on social media a lot more than we are used to which means, overexposure to a lot of different influencers.
You can set yourself up for success in this area by going through your friends/followers lists and unfollowing the profiles that make you feel bad. You can also take it a step further by searching for new positive influencers that make you feel good. And “good” could mean educational, motivational, inspirational or just plain old funny.
Another option to consider is reviewing your contact lists on your phone and reaching out to people you care for to say “hi” or to check-in to see how they are doing. There are so many ways to connect in this day and age without ever needing to leave your home, but even getting outside and connecting with nature can be a very liberating and joyful experience.
Self-Care Tip #5 – Remember That You Are Not Your Current Situation
Things in your world have changed, and unfortunately, it’s beyond your control. You’re in a rut right now because you never thought this could happen, and you most certainly didn’t plan for it.
It’s easy to start beating yourself up and criticizing yourself when your back is against the wall. However, a great way to overcome this negative thinking is to acknowledge that your current circumstance does not define who you are. For example, you can think,
“My situation is terrible, and I am terrible too.” Or you can think,
“I am a smart, determined and resourceful human being in a terrible situation.”
Two very different ways of thinking that will result in two very different outcomes. My recommendation is to choose the latter. Making this distinction is how you can begin to objectively evaluate your current situation, assess possible outcomes and create the best plan of action for you.
Wrapping It Up
“What does it matter if the glass is empty or full if there is a pitcher nearby? Life is a pitcher, and if we look for other ways, we can fill it up.”
Shawn Achor
The truth is there will always be ups and downs in life, but learning to cope and maybe even thrive when you’re down is all about perseverance and perspective. The five tips provided in this post will certainly help get you in the right frame of mind to view your current circumstance from a different lens and perhaps create a new path to new opportunities. Be encouraged, and don’t give up. We will get through this;)
What do you do to cope during times of uncertainty? Share your thoughts below.
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