04/08/2020
This time of uncertainty can cause a tremendous amount of stress. I thought that it might be helpful to share some ways of coping with this stress and uncertainty. I invite you to also share ways that you are coping.
Initially when this covid -19 hit the news, I found myself watching the news throughout the day. Why? Maybe coping at that time for me was feeling that I needed all the information possible so that I could deal with it. "Information is power!" But, I found that it really wasn't helpful. So now I get updated once a day, and that has been helpful. (Okay, maybe some days twice!)
Also, practicing deep breathing has been helpful. Breathing in slowly and then exhaling longer. So if it takes 5 seconds to breathe in, I take at least 8 seconds to breathe out. Repeating this for a few minutes can really be calming.
Playing relaxing music in the background has also been soothing for me. I chose some Asian, Japanese and Zen-like music. One day I even painted with watercolors while playing the music in the background. Doing something you love doing can be very uplifting.
It's important to not stay stagnant but to keep moving. Going for a walk, or exercising at home, personally I like to put the music on and dance (no, not the Zen-like music, although I do do Tai Chi to it).
So that's my post for today. Please join in and share what you do to calm yourself. Sending healing energy to all!
