Taking Care of You during Uncertain Times
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
Hey there! Gather ‘round for this quick chat about maintaining your calm when things are feeling so uncertain. I try to create posts that can be somewhat timeless, but as I am writing, we- the people of the United States- are just days out from a presidential election…in the midst of a global pandemic…and a time of increased focus on the need to change systems at every level of our country to confront racism in our nation. IT’S. A. LOT. For people that may have never struggled with anxiety, depression, or other mental health illnesses, this is still a challenging time filled with uncertainty and doubt. In times like these (even though these particular times feel unprecedented), there are a lot of reasons to feel like the sky is really falling. But we know that the one thing that is certain is that the sun will rise and fall regardless of what happens in the span of time between those moments. We have to figure out a strategy for coping and part of that strategy can be accepting the discomfort, and even fear, while also embracing the opportunity to manage it.
So how can you maintain some calm over the coming days? When things feel out of control, it is important to figure out what you can control and then focus on that as much as possible. Doing this requires you to remain present. Anxiety is often the result of a preoccupation with what has already happened, and fear about what might happen in the future.
Staying in the present has to be an intentional way of focusing your thoughts and figuring out how to feel empowered to manage your life in the moment as much as possible.
Keep in mind that there are a few things that you can control and some are more subtle than others:
whether or not you vote (it’s your choice),
how much TV you choose to watch,
how you spend your idle time,
paying attention to your breathing,
being sure to eat during the day,
staying hydrated,
going to sleep at a decent hour,
taking time each day to reflect on what you are grateful for
thinking about things that give you hope and a sense of calm
This is not avoiding the inevitable realities of what is happening in the world. These areas of control are the small things that can help you to be present and empowered in moments of high stress. The sobering truth is that you cannot control what everyone else is doing, who they vote for, whether they will wear a mask, etc. You can only control what YOU do and where you focus your energy. And if you have moments where the stress is too much, it’s okay to accept that feeling and lean into it a little. Sometimes allowing yourself to be upset, cry, or vent for a few moments can help you move through those tougher moments and get to a good reset for yourself.
It’s important that you have a plan for how you will take care of yourself in the days to come. Check out this free printable that will help you to have a plan that you can write out, save and/or print to reference this week.
Remember, this week will come and go and whatever the outcomes are and what will come to be over time, we can take control of how we choose to handle and respond to it. So let’s continue to get and stay well…together.
