As reports of the coronavirus infection (COVID-19) increase both in the U.S. and around the world, many people may be feeling anxious. It is perfectly normal to develop feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. But it is important to try and address these feelings before they become overwhelming. Remembering to practice self-care during stressful times is essential, and here are 5 tips from the Flawless team.
Get Prepared
Planning ahead is a good way to feel more in control. With many employers offering a work-from-home option, and schools closing in-person classes for the remainder of the academic year, it’s important to realize that big changes to your routine might be coming, so get yourself ready for what those changes might look like. Do not panic, but have a plan to make you feel more comfortable. This might include stocking up on supplies, being selective about your travel, taking extra steps with hand washing and sanitizing practices, and understanding how the virus is, and is not, spread.
Get Relaxed
If you’re taking basic steps to protect yourself and stay informed, that’s enough for many people. Let’s learn to be in the moment and focus on the things we can control, and not the things that are not within our control. Gratitude is a great tool to use during times of stress to reduce anxiety.
This is also an opportunity to practice some of the self-care tips that we learned from our colleague Bernadette Pleasant. Bernadette is a Somatic Healer and I was able to witness her power of emotional regulation for herself and for the children when we worked together at a school in Harlem. Bernadette’s ability to help the children regulate with ease by having them close their eyes, raise their hands out in front of them, and whisper “you are flawless” was so simple and effective. See what her tips can do for you! You can also check out our recent blog post that talks about everything you need to know about Mental Health & Coronavirus.
Get Selective With Your Media
It is important to be “in the know,” but equally important not to obsess over the news. Consuming too much information can be problematic and drive up fear and anxiety. Oftentimes during national crises our inboxes become flooded with constant alerts and updates. If you need tips on how to manage the onslaught of 24/7 media coverage that can be unsettling and anxiety-inducing, check out this Huffington Post article from our founder Janine that shows you how to Put the “Me” Before The Media.
Get Connected
Because Coronavirus is a communicable disease, many people are choosing to protect themselves and others by using social distancing and isolation. While these measures can help halt the spread of disease, it creates another problem in losing that interconnectedness that is so important. Our Flawless Fellow Maureen wrote a blog post that gives you 5 Tips for Staying Connected… to People, not Technology! discussing how experiencing loneliness can be as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. This is where technology plays a helpful role – but how do you stay connected without unintentionally over-consuming media hysteria? Our intern Georgie offered a tip for Twitter users to mute specific words from showing up on your newsfeed, so that you can focus more on the social and less on the media! And pick up the phone for an old fashioned phone call – hearing someone’s voice is the next best thing to being with them in person.
Get Creative – And Have Fun!
Our founder Janine started off our weekly team call with a genuine concern for our emotional wellbeing and asked us individually how we were doing and what steps we were taking to practice self-care. We all had our strategies, but then she insisted on practicing one that we don’t often think of: having fun. In my short working career, I haven’t had many bosses insist that I have fun, but that is the beauty of being a part of the Flawless family. This is a time where it is important to not to forget to enjoy the day-to-day of our lives. Is there a better self-care tip than to just have fun? So whatever having fun means for you, make sure you do something today that you enjoy and puts a smile on your face.
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