You Got This
There has been so much loss throughout this global pandemic environment: loss of celebration, loss of family and friends, loss of life, loss of identity. Sometimes we put pressure on ourselves to push away feelings of pain, loneliness, and grief; we may feel that something is wrong with us if we feel numb or disengaged. During this time we need to be assured that it is normal to have these feelings of depression, anxiety, or disorientation. Humans are intended to go through ups and downs in order to learn to deal with stress. We are designed to handle this, and the answers are inside of us.
We can honor our feelings by taking special care of them through simple practices everyday. A good way to be present with ourselves is to just sit and breathe through it. Practice taking deep breaths into your abdomen for a minute or two a few times a day or even hourly when feeling down. Google “Box Breathing” as a method for returning breath to its normal rhythm. Calming our breath helps us to disengage from a fight-or-flight existence and return us to a more relaxed state with a clear mind for caring for ourselves.
Get away from the screens. One reason is to avoid the constant barrage of information in the media. The other is to avoid the negative effects that blue light can have on our eyes--blue light suppresses melatonin and can impact our circadian rhythms. Cutting down on our social media time will help us to create more mental and emotional space for healthy living.
Another way to care for our well being is to move. Take a walk in nature; try Tai Chi or yoga. It doesn't have to be aggressive to have an impact on our mental state. Concentrate on your breath, focus on good head, upper back, and abdominal posture.
Finally, start a journal to celebrate little accomplishments or express gratitude. Write down at least one thing you are grateful for each day.
It is okay to feel down, but know that we have the tools inside of us to cope with life's hardships. Create space, breathe, and listen.
