Taking Care of Yourself

What’s next?

We are living in a time of uncertainty during this Covid-19 pandemic. I just came from the grocery store and many shelves were empty.  So many people are afraid that they will get sick and won’t be able to get food.  In addition, the messages that we are getting from the media & government change constantly.  So, what are we to do?  We don’t know what’s going to happen next.  The one thing that I do know is that it’s time to take care of yourself and stay as healthy as possible.

How do you do that?

Well, of course you want to eat well.  Eat less sugar and get lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet.  You can also try to include things like fermented foods, drink lots of water and add some garlic to your foods.

Another way to take care of yourself is to continue to get some exercise.  For those of you who are used to going to a gym to take a class or get on a treadmill, you might find that these are very limited at the moment.  Most group classes are being cancelled because the group environment is just an easy way to spread disease.  So, instead of going to the gym maybe you dance around your house, roll out your yoga mat for a solo practice or go for a walk. 

Remember, it’s okay to go outside and walk.  In fact, it’s really a good idea to do so.  You’ll get to see the sun, interact with nature and move your body all at once.  Walking outside is good for you physically but also mentally and emotionally.  It’s so hard on us when we are stuck inside our houses all day long.  Stepping outside will help to change your scenery (literally) and give you fresh air to breath.  This will help you feel less isolated and who knows you might even wave to a neighbor or two & realize that you’re not alone in this isolation.

For those of us who are empty nesters, you might have an extra challenge.  In this time of social distancing, you might have a college kid or two who is unexpectedly at home again because of a closed college.  If this is you, give yourself a break.  You weren’t expecting to have them back home so soon.  You might feel excited to have them safely at home, but you also might be resentful that you have to plan around them again.  Both feelings are okay.  Just notice what you are feeling and then choose to act accordingly.

Whether you are an empty nester or not, take care of your mental and emotional health as well right now.  It’s just as important as your physical health.  Maybe connect with other people through video chat or group calls.  Find ways to connect to those people that are important to you so that you can support each other.  All of our lives, schedules and interactions have been shifted in some way.  Let’s plan to be there for one another and get through this together.  

And, if you are finding this forced isolation to be more difficult than you expected or if your anxiety is just taking over, then seek help.  Many providers can now serve you online.  I am one of those providers that can help with online sessions.  I provide online therapy sessions that are just as effective as sessions in person and I’m available to help you adjust to this crisis.  Whether it is a psychotherapist, medical doctor, myself or another therapist, reach out & get the support that you need.  

You don’t have to go through this alone!

Take care of yourself mentally, emotionally and physically.  This crisis will end and we will get to go back to our normal routines, but until that happens it’s up to you to make sure that you thrive right now.

If you need to talk through anxieties, fears or stress, then schedule a session with me online and together we’ll come up with a way for you to make shifts that help you to move forward with more ease.