I will be honest, all this togetherness is rough. It just seems like an endless cycle of need from my family, which is hard, because sometimes, even though I am an adult, I would like to be cared for too. Self care is an important tool in my toolbox when it comes to managing my Anxiety and part of my routine is alone time. I love going to the gym and working out, I love going to yoga classes, going for massages, pedicures, shopping, reading in an empty house...I know these are all extras in life and they are not something I take for granted, but having them all taken off the table at once is a hard pill to swallow.
Granted, I am grateful for all the things I do have, but I mourn these scheduled times where I could just go out and have “Me Time.” For some people they may mourn not being able to go to class and access a plethora of spaces where they could study in peace or in a space where they could get an endless menu of caffeine products mere steps away. Teachers may mourn not being in their classroom where all their tactile tools are, all their books and charts and visuals they have compiled over time, their teaching rendered to assignments and zoom calls. We all have our crosses to bear, but mourning these changes are normal. We should not feel guilty for feeling what we are feeling: stressed, tired, anxious, overwhelmed, sad, angry, scared are things a lot of us are experiencing and while they are normal, let's explore some ways we can deal with them in isolation.
“Remember, remember, this is now, and now, and now. Live it, feel it, cling to it. I want to become acutely aware of all I’ve taken for granted.”
- Sylvia Plath
Therapy: Therapy is still going on, it just has gone the way of telemedicine, basically online therapy, which you have probably heard about in the past. This online format is how therapists are connecting to their patients. If you already have a therapist reach out to both them and your insurance provider and see if they are seeing patients via an online platform and whether your insurance provider covers this new setup. If you are new to therapy, you can look up sites that provide online therapy and see who has openings in their schedule. You can ask if you can have a first meeting to see if you are both a fit and go from there. Always make sure to call your insurance and see what your benefits are so you can plan your finances accordingly.
Meditation: You can access guided meditation for free on youtube.com or just about any streaming yoga provider. There are also many free guided meditations you can follow via Facebook live and other social media sites. You can also clear out a corner of a room, put down a yoga mat and some pillows, play some yoga centric music or chanting and start your own practice.
Medication: Doctors are still seeing patients and if their office is closed, you can request a call or video chat to get refills on already prescribed medication or to discuss adding a medication that is needed. Drive through pickups at pharmacies are available and open and so are delivery services through participating pharmacies.
Exercise: This is such an important part of remaining sane in isolation. There are tons of free videos online you can follow along with, youtube is a great place to start and dedicated fitness sites are offering free and discounted classes and class passes during COVID-19. You can also go to Pinterest and download hundreds, if not thousands, of printed workouts. Through your TV you can download fitness channels and services, membership is usually very clearly stated, so have a budget in mind and see what is of interest.
“There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be...”
-John Lennon
Carve out time to just feel, even if that time requires you to rise earlier than everyone else in your house, or staying up later, or go on a walk, run, bike ride...on your own. Read a book that encourages you, drink your coffee, have a cry, think about how you can make this day a little better and brighter. We are all in the same ish boat, feeling the same ish things, trying to make it through the day with a little pep in our step.
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” -Charles Darwin
Cheers to you amazing people! All the best-SG
