Self-Care in the Time of Social Distancing
March 18, 2020
WE ARE IN A NEW TIME.
We are in a new normal (for an unknown length if time). I never thought I would live in the time of a global pandemic. Nor did I believe I would witness the swift buckling of world constructs - travel industries, global markets, supply chains, education systems… health care. Even social constructs have given way to social distancing.
The list goes on. But here we are.
On social media, people across the globe are sharing their experiences. We witnessed (from a safe digital distance) communities in Italy and Spain connecting through song, music and even exercise through windows, porches and roof tops, despite the pandemic sweeping their communities. Quarantine dairies and TikTok PSA’s are flooding our shared digital space. Sadly, tragic news, personal stories and grim images are being shared as well. There is also a lot of miscommunication and genuine fear. Talk about a wide range of human responses and experiences in relationship to this virus.
With millions of people moving into home isolation (6 million in the SF Bay Area alone), either due to illness or as a preventative measure against illness, this question comes to mind:
What can we do to move away from despair, fear and isolation and move into self care and connectedness?
So, here are some ideas to tend to the social, emotional needs of just being human in great times of uncertainty:
1.Choose What You Consume Mindfully.
Staying informed in times of global crisis is key, but in terms of our emotional and mental health, being mindful of what we consume and how often we consume information is key. We owe it to ourselves to maintain a balanced approach to staying informed while honoring our wellbeing.
Unfortunately, the popular lexicon of our current presidential administration (POTUS 45) includes painting the American media as crooked or fake. I believe neither of these are true. I often turn to media sources such as National public Radio and the New York Times for updates. These days I check more often in a single day than usual, but I am keenly aware of my emotional barometer when I am consuming too much crisis information. In the United States, it has been a trifecta of administration crisis (blunders, impeachment, scandal), the 2020 presidential race, and a global pandemic layered on top of each other. Not to mention the societal gaps and structural fragilities that are being exposed as a result. Whoah. That’s a lot to consume - daily, sometimes even hourly. Right?
In the past, when experiencing news overwhelm, I chose to take incremental breaks from listening to the news on the way to the office in the mornings. What a difference it made. I just needed a break. The same goes for social media. I actually took a year hiatus from social media in 2018. It was quite liberating.
But now that we are practicing social distancing and some of us are even under regional “shelter in place” mandates, tuning in and connecting online has shifted into a necessary mechanism for information and connection to our loved ones.
If the news is causing anxiety, find the right balance between staying informed and turning it off incrementally. You know when it’s time to turn it off by your physical reaction. If you are tense, your mind is ruminating, and if you feel the anxiety rising, it’s time to exercise your boundaries.
When using social media tools be mindful of toxic rabbit holes on twitter, or overshares on facebook and instagram that might drain you emotionally. Know your boundaries and honor them. As the time we spend at home extends, exercising this muscle will be key. The silver lining is getting to know yourself and the boundaries your wellness requires a whole lot better.
2. Exercise.
Not leaving the house or the apartment except for essential functions - well, sucks. Cabin fever is real, but moving our bodies helps.
Exercise is moving meditation. It draws us into the ‘Now’, raises our endorphins (happy hormones), and is the opposite of sitting all day which is the leading cause of heart disease (sorry, was trying to keep this positive).
One of my favorite ways to exercise at home is with Yoga with Adriene. I have been enjoying her yoga videos for years now and they are perfectly packed into 20-45 minute sessions, which allow me to pick my video based on the time I have to workout. These videos are free and the library is extensive.
Other than that I just run up and down the hall with my dog in the most ridiculous manner -- because it is fun, gets the heart pumping and sometimes I just need a moment of out right silliness. Goodness, I love my dog.
In all seriousness, social distancing and home isolation can hit us in ways we might not be prepared for emotionally. Exercise is just one key to help balance out our lives when exposed to this level of disruption.
3. Connect.
My fiancee and I are currently in “quarantine” 80 miles apart. His County is under “shelter in place” orders from local public leaders. FaceTime, at least for the near and foreseeable future is our reality. Luckily, it is that better than just texting. Romantic partners separated by quarantine is trending online. But what about entire communities?
If you live in the American suburbs or in rural communities, communal singing a’la Italy or Spain might not be your reality. I have a hard time imaging folks in my hometown neighborhood singing out of their track home windows (although, anything is possible).
Having enjoyed time away from social media, in the midst of distancing this week I returned to the usual outlets to connect. Finding video messages from friends reminds me of the positive aspects of community online - and a reminder that we are in this together. Albeit apart, but together.
One quick worthy mention about moving our entire way of living online, both socially and professionally.
Please be mindful of misinformation and phishing cyber attacks, which seem to be on the rise in the midst of this pandemic. Consider the sources of the information and the tone. Misinformation usually takes a heightened emotional tone and has the most outrageous attention grabbing headline titles - what they call clickbait. As the world moves from in-person gathering to online connecting - so do those who intend harm.
4. Find Humor.
In times of fright, uncertainty and grief what keeps us afloat is finding the silver lining called humor. Find it, create it, share it, allow yourself to laugh when possible and appropriate.
After consuming a few frightful news headlines, I stumbled across a Buzzfeed article highlighting humorous tweets about our collective condition. We humans do have a sense of humor. And for a moment, I laughed out loud and even shared a few tweets with my fiancee over text -- because they were just SO REAL!
Here’s the Buzzfeed article that made me laugh out loud. Have at it.
Journal Notes:
What are the self-care practices that you are putting into place to get you through social distancing and this time of uncertainty?
Important Note: Taking measures to care for ourselves emotionally, not just physically, during times of uncertainty means taking our mental health seriously. If you or anyone you know if fielding thoughts of suicide. Please pick up the phone and reach out for help. The National Suicide Hotline in the United States is 800-273-8255 and it is open 24/7.
If you just need someone to talk to or are looking for support for a particular mental health challenge, here are several talk therapy apps to jumpstart your research.
I wish us all wellness, peace, togetherness.
Thank you for taking this journey with me!
From my heart center to yours,
NOEMI
