Isolation can be hard and stillness even more difficult. There is a lot of information out there about COVID-19 – much of it helpful, some of it scary, some of it is anxiety-provoking or overwhelming. I understand how challenging the past few days have been and how uncertain the coming weeks and months may feel.
While we all have a responsibility to follow protocols for keeping ourselves, our families and our communities healthy, we are more than just our physical bodies. In the face of so much uncertainty, I wanted to share some tips and strategies for reducing panic and stagnation, and increasing compassion and community.
Be Mindful of Panic and Anxiety
- Temporarily stop intaking information about COVID-19. Just give it a break for a bit.
- Take a breath. Take another breath.
- Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, two things you can smell, 1 thing you feel
- Say a word you want to feel into a glass of water, then drink the water
Illustrations by Liz Williams
Get Moving Around
- Stretch and move around in your home
- If you have limited mobility try tapping your hands or feet, rolling your ankles or wrists, flexing your hands or feet, and rolling your shoulders forwards and backwards
- Find a free online exercise or yoga class
Illustrations by Liz Williams
Get Connected and Creative
- Take a free online class
- Organize your closet, read that book, remember to rest
- Do an activity on video with someone like cooking, knitting, or co-watching a movie
Illustrations by Liz Williams
Be Compassionate
- Honor the people who have already lost their lives to this virus
- Check in on people who are less resourced or more at risk than you (the elderly, people with chronic conditions, those with compromised immune systems, first responders, etc.)
- If you are able to, donate or sign-up for local mutual aid support
It is almost certain that things are going to keep changing a lot and getting more challenging before they get better, so let’s be in right relationship with our efforts to take care of ourselves and one another physically, socially, and emotionally.
Explore these strategies – and more! – with Holiday Simmons and the Campaign for Southern Equality team in a special webinar about healing and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, March 25 from 4:00-5:30pm ET. Click here to RSVP for the webinar on Facebook.
