We are living in an unprecedented time. The time of coronavirus.
Most of us consider future scenarios, both good and bad. We think about where we’ll be next year, in five years. We consider places we want to go, things we want to do and what the future might look like for us.
Bet pandemic wasn’t at the top of your list, and if it was, many of us were sure there would be zombies. There are no zombies.
Considering we prioritized toilet paper over most everything else, let’s be glad the zombies weren’t included.
Right now, everything is turned upside down. People are learning to work from home, which seems cool but can be much more challenging than working at the office. Add trying to homeschool kids to that mix? WHAT?! In addition to so much uncertainty, surely everyone is at least a bit on edge.
So here we are, collectively facing the unknown. Not just in our cities, states and our countries, but as a planet. There are so many feelings that come with such an unknown. One of those is stress. When I left my job to care for Brian it was the first time in my entire life that I didn’t have some sort of structure or routine.
The first few weeks I was home I thought I was going to lose my mind. I didn’t know what to do with myself! The stress and anxiety felt physically heavy on my chest. Not only that, but I was also selfishly mourning the loss of my career, along with the little bit of normalcy I had left in my life.
It took some time and patience, but I’m learning how to channel the anxiety into productive and healthy ways. I say learning because I’m always open to new and different ways to find my zen.
Many tips online for reducing stress aren’t possible for a caregiver like me so I’ve found simple and quick ways to give me that pause and peace I need to carry on. Hopefully, some of these can help restore a little calm to your day.
These work for me, what works for you? Please share! I’d love to add to this post.
Y’all stay safe and for now, STAY HOME!
FIVE QUICK WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
1. Stop and breathe. Stop what you’re doing. Stop moving. Stop talking. Stop overthinking. Stop whatever it is.
This sounds really simple but when you’re in a tailspin of emotion, it’s easier said than done. On really frantic and frustrating days I can easily lose my patience and get myself worked up. I’ve learned to stop myself in my tracks, close my eyes and mouth, take a long, deep breath in, then slowly out.
It’s amazing what stopping and breathing can do for you!
2. Put on some music. Music is medicine for me. It is a magic potion that I can pour into my ears and it makes it all better for me.
Sometimes I play my favorite song by one of my favorite bands. Sometimes I play something sad because I want to cry. A lot of times I blast Rage Against the Machine on the record player because I like singing along at the top of my lungs to let off some steam. It works!
Whatever your jam, however you listen, find a few minutes to really take in your favorite song. Stop and listen to it. Focus on the song and nothing else. What’s it about? What instruments can you hear? Where is the artist from? Immerse yourself in it for a few minutes. Let the music make you feel something else for a bit.
3. Step outside. For one minute, for five minutes, for 20 minutes. For as little or as long as you’d like but open the door and get out of the house. There is vitamin D that comes from the sun so get on out there! Even rainy days can be therapeutic.
Just take a few steps from your door and take a few deep breaths. Repeat as necessary. Listen to the birds. Smell the flowers. Notice what types of plants are in your yard and in the neighbors. Feel the wind on your face. Nature is reality and the outdoors can be incredibly soothing.
4. Cry. It is totally OK to cry. And I mean cry! Get it out.
I have found much relief in a good cry. I get on the floor of my closet with a pillow and just cry my little heart out and scream into the pillow and cry oh woe is me and have a little pity party for as long as I possibly can. By that, I typically mean four to six minutes until I am summoned to complete a task for Brian.
But once I get that cry out of the way I feel so much better and like I can just move on with things from that point. Next time you feel like crying and think you should just push it down, give in to the crying. Boohoo it up, but don’t stay there too long. Get it out, allow yourself to feel the feelings, the fear, the anxiety. Admit that these things are real and it’s okay.
Cry, cry, cry, then pick yourself up, shake it off and keep moving forward. Life is hard, but we got this!
5. Get some exercise. I know, eye roll. I don’t like it either, but it’s true. Exercise makes a difference!
At one point in my life, I was walking miles a day and attending a kickboxing class, but that isn’t my reality now so I do what I can at home.
The good news is that there’s so much you can do at home, without any equipment. Just a few minutes will make a difference. I typically will do a short (5-30 minute) stretching routine that I find on YouTube. I always feel better and more relaxed after that.
Bonus Tip: One thing at a time. You can only do one thing at a time. We can only do one day at a time. Work to put things into perspective. What is the priority today? What is the priority this hour?
This is another one that’s easier said than done, but a lot of times my brain gets going with the what if’s and the possible scenarios.
It’s great to think ahead in an effort to be prepared but life is also going to do what it’s going to do and regardless of there being a pandemic or not, we can’t control it. What we can do is adapt to our current situations and find ways to keep ourselves busy and at peace.
These work for me, what works for you? Please share! I’d love to add to this post.
Stay safe and STAY HOME!
