Pause Don't Panic
What is the appropriate response to a crisis?
Are you struggling with questions such as “Am I overreacting?” and/or “Am I taking this situation seriously enough?”
These are normal statements to an abnormal situation occurring in our lives. You might be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to proceed. Here are five simple things you can do as we face this Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis as a nation:
1. Breathe and give yourself time to process your emotions
2. Create and give yourself positive affirmations if your emotions are causing anxiety and/or insecurities.
a. Positive statements such as “I am safe and protected” and “Everything will be okay” work great! Keep it clear and simple.
3. Assess your mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual needs on a regular basis. Give yourself time and space to attend to each area.
4. Connect with others in person, by phone, and/or online; friends, family, etc. Do not isolate yourself completely! Be kind to yourself and others during this difficult moment.
5. Self-Care! It can look like meditation every night, journaling every morning, limiting your social media or news exposure, or listening to music. The important thing is to pause not panic — figure out what helps your nervous system calm down.
And, of course, if you need to, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional to support you during this stressful time! All of our clinicians are offering online video sessions.
While challenging, it is in the most critical moments of our lives that it is the most important to bring light to yourself and others.
Namaste, Viri
