Coming Together

Hey everyone!

I know that I was scheduled to post on Wednesday, but in light of the current events, I did not think it would be the most appropriate to post what I intended (I also needed a social media break). Instead, I wanted to discuss health-related anxiety in the climate of the Coronavirus and how to take care of ourselves emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Currently, it seems like America is oddly connected and disconnected now, which seems to be completely different than the past couple of years. In my city, churches have transitioned to streaming services, grocery stores have lines out of the doors, and schools have closed for three weeks.

While our daily routines may have been disrupted, perhaps the universe is giving us a chance to reset, rest, and recalibrate. While we are all transitioning to a period of time where our lives look different, I would ask us what can we do for a neighbor, friend, or someone in need? Can you provide childcare or a meal to a child that is currently not in school? Are you able to check in on an older neighbor that doesn’t have family around? Are you able to get outside of your comfort zone and offer some familiarity and humanity to a stranger in this time of uncertainty?

If your anxiety is high due to media and mixed messaging, I encourage you to take a step back and set a limit on what you are consuming on your phone. If you do have anxiety, then it can become too easy to imagine the worst-case scenario and become hypervigilant; which gives the opportunity for your head to become foggy and have illogical thinking. I would encourage you to take this time to not only protect yourself but maybe dive into something that you have been thinking about lately. Painting, Reading, Deep Cleaning, etc., so that you are able to see some order being restored, but exert some control over your life! Lastly, check-in on your friends and family often to see how they are doing and to offer support when you can.

If you are someone who is not particularly worried about this outbreak, please be gentle with those who are currently struggling. There are many people who may not be worried about getting sick themselves, but becoming a carrier for the virus and transmitting to immune-compromised folks amongst us. I personally have a family full of individuals that are immune-compromised and I, myself, have a weakened immune system.

Worries are natural and human nature, but they can also creep into our subconscious and perpetuate negative narratives. Remember, you can sit with it, acknowledge it, and wave at it on it’s way out. I would encourage all my readers to practice mindfulness during this time and even include your kids (your kids are probably just as worried and anxious as you are!). I will attach some videos that I use in my work with kids, but as an adult, I really enjoy them. I like my meditations short and to the point!

For the readers that are service providers, we are used to being responsive to crises and on the front lines, that is part of our jobs. However, there can be agencies/organizations/companies that are not responding in a trauma-informed or supportive to us. We need to advocate for yourself as best as we advocate for our clients. We cannot help others if we are sick. If you have your own therapist, see if they are available for telehealth to decompress with them. Listen to your body and be firm in your boundaries.

We are not sure where this all is going but I encourage us all to look at this as a time to reposition ourselves and possibly our laws/country. So many things have come to light that could be easily fixed with a change of legislation, advocacy, and supporting others that are being marginalized. Continue to be vigilant, mindful, and offering humanity to your neighbor.

Comment below about what you have been doing during this time to keep your spirits up or if you have experienced anxiety?