Stress and anxiety are natural responses to the uncertainty and disruption we are all experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are sheltering in place or still caring for children, this is a challenging and scary time. It is more important than ever to carve out some time to help yourself re-center. In this article, we share a few suggestions for decreasing stress and increasing mindfulness.
Take a walk: If you are in a house with a lot of people, it might help to get some fresh air by taking a walk outside. You can go alone to get some space, or bring your family to enjoy fresh air as a group. Being indoors all day can start to make us feel stir crazy; a little bit of fresh air can help us to recharge and refresh. And please keep others in mind by maintaining healthy social distancing and giving space to other walkers.
Try to meditate: If you haven’t tried meditation before, now might be a good time to give it a try. Meditation is free, easy-to-do at home, and doesn’t require anything besides allowing yourself some time to be still. For those who are new to meditation, these videos can help you get started:
Try a new craft or activity: If meditation is not for you, you might try to meditate with a peaceful activity such as doing a puzzle, an art project, or even cooking! Activities that combine creativity and focused attention can be particularly effective when you want to feel refreshed and grounded.
Check in with your feelings: During this stressful time, it is important to take a moment to check-in with yourself and your feelings and be aware of how you are doing. Are you stressed? Are you overwhelmed? Are you anxious? It can also be helpful to talk these feelings through with a trusted friend or family member. If you do not have anyone that you feel comfortable sharing these feelings with, journaling can be a tool for self-expression.
Take breaks from social media: When you are at home without a daily schedule, it can be easy to sit on your phone and check social media all day. While some social media consumption can be helpful for getting information and updates, too much can become overwhelming. Allow yourself intentional social media breaks throughout the day, so you can gain perspective and re-center yourself.
Mindfulness Infographic from Zero to Three: Interested in gaining a better understanding of mindfulness? This infographic gives a brief description of mindfulness, information about the latest research, and a few quick tips to get started with your own mindfulness practice.
Free Mindfulness Resources to Find Calm and Nourish Resilience During the COVID Outbreak: Mindful.org is sharing a full list of resources to serve local communities during the COVID-19 crisis, including guided meditations connecting you to others, a quick practice to help you find your ground, a free course on how to meditate, and more.
