7 Strategies For Navigating Life During Self-Isolation
Each day, we are trying to process an overwhelming amount of information about the coronavirus and its impact, adjusting to unavoidable changes in our working, educational, and living environments, and taking precautions to stay safe and healthy.
During uncertain times, knowledge brings a sense of safety and control. Reliable knowledge is crucial for preventing problems and promoting wellness. But, how much information is too much? When should we step away and take a break? How do we continue to take care of ourselves and our families?
Here are some strategies for navigating these challenging times.
Focus on the things you can control.
How much media you take in, washing your hands, drinking water, eating balanced meals, getting quality sleep, remembering to breathe, and making the most informed decisions for you and your family are all things that remain in your control. You can take back control over your life in small ways every day.
Stick to your routines.
Take a look at your past routines, remind yourself what has worked for you before, and make necessary adjustments. Create a calendar or chart as a visual to help you. Be patient with yourself, and your family, as you're adjusting.
Notice how you feel after consuming news.
Shift your attention away once you have seen the most up-to-date information. Are you feeling calmer? Or more anxious? Or perhaps discouraged or fearful? Take a moment to center yourself and reflect on things that bring you comfort and strength. If you're struggling to calm your mind, try deep breathing, coloring, or going for a walk. Rediscover humor; laughter can indeed be “the best medicine”. Even adults need to take a time-out from time to time to regain composure. Allow yourself that opportunity.
Access your resilience.
Remember other challenging situations you have overcome in your life. Although it is important to recognize the severity of the situation we now face, it is also important and helpful to remind yourself of all your capacities, skills and abilities to get through uncertain times.
Explore your expectations about what you want to accomplish each day.
Are you playing chess or checkers today? The board may be the same, but the rules of the game have changed. Take time to generate reasonable goals and consider actions within your reach to achieve them. Keep them manageable and don’t “bite off more than you can chew”.
Reach out to others.
We are all going through this and we need each other during this time. In Italy, they are singing from their balconies. Do what you can to create that same sense of community. We all have a need to feel connected. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with an old friend, a family member or even your neighbor. Make a phone call, send a text or email, or write a letter (but please don't lick the envelope).
Be an active bystander for virus prevention.
Cancel your plans, and take the CDC recommendations seriously. Support your family and friends in their efforts to protect themselves and adjust to a rapidly changing environment.
I believe that a prevention and wellness promotion orientation can help us cope effectively with many of the challenging situations we confront in our lives, and with the current COVID-19 threat. We can all work together to help prevent the spread of the outbreak. You cope. We cope. You prevent. We prevent. We all have a part to play.
Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy.
As an ‘essential service’ during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are offering in-person and online remote therapy sessions. We are committed to providing you with accessible, consistent and safe ways to obtain mental health services during this difficult time.
Contact us today to discuss your options.