Yes, it’s normal to feel anxious, stressed and burned out right now! We are all living during unprecedented times and no one has a road map of how this is supposed to look. We are living during a COVID-19 pandemic, amidst political issues and a growing awareness of the need for equality for all. Normal has been flipped upside down. What we once saw as a safe and fun activity may not be safe anymore, but it’s hard to know what is and isn’t safe because there is so much conflicting information out there. We are working from home for the first time in our lives or are struggling to adjust back to life in the workplace with new restrictions and safety guidelines. It’s hard and there’s a lot that we cannot control right now. However, there are things that everyone can do to try to manage the complexity of daily life. Let’s look at a few of them now.
Stay Present
With all the “Breaking News” and flashy headlines, it’s easy to worry about what might happen tomorrow or next week. All that exists is this moment and the only the we can control is how we show up in the present moment. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. Focus on your feet on the ground, the sun on your skin and your immediate surroundings. Listen to the sounds around you and let go. Let each thought pass through your mind like a leaf blowing in the wind.
Focus on what you can control, NOT what you can’t control
It’s natural to want to feel like you have control over all the parts of your life and the world around you – especially the parts that are stressful, anxiety provoking and scary. Truth is, you only have dominion over yourself. When you feel like you’re spinning and the anxiety is rising, take a moment to ask yourself if you’re focused on what’s in or out of your control. Take a moment to challenge your thoughts and emotions to look for what you can control. You can control your thoughts, the assumptions you make about things, you can control if you’re focused on the present moment and facts or on fears about the unknown. You can control your breath and your perspective.
Manage your newsfeed and social media
Social media is a great way to stay connected to others, it’s a great way to keep up to date on world affairs. It’s also a great way to feel triggered, angry, anxious and overwhelmed but all the catastrophic headlines, comments and opinions. So, let’s make this simple. Set some limits for yourself – limit which social media accounts you use, who you follow/read, how long you use them each day and avoid using social media before bedtime and first thing in the morning.
Focus on a strong foundation
It can’t be overlooked. It’s critical to prioritize sleep, adequate rest, proper nutrition, physical movement and water consumption. Also, it’s important to avoid substances that put stress and strain on the body like alcohol and drugs.
Manage your relationships and opinions
We all have friends and family that share our opinions and it’s comforting to and reassuring to spend time with them and talk with them. At the same time, we have those who are close to us that don’t share the same world view. In either case, it’s important to be mindful of whether the conversations we have with the loved ones in our lives are comforting or triggering. With all the tension in the world right now, it’s important to prioritize healthy boundaries in your relationships with others to support your mental and emotional health.
Be kind to yourself and your loved ones right now. It’s difficult to always be at your best so be forgiving and gentle when you have a difficult day or moment.