Some thoughts on caring for yourself during the coronavirus

Fear and anxiety seem to permeate the air these days as the coronavirus dominates the news.  It feels surreal how much life has changed over the past week or two. One week our family was fishing for bream in East Texas, celebrating spring break, and a week later we were beginning our first days of homeschool as schools across the country have announced closures due to the coronavirus. 

As I’ve been meeting with clients over the past week — and even noticed my own anxiety level rising at times — I realize that many of mine and my clients’ self-care activities are no longer possible due to the social distancing procedures we are trying to abide by. Despite these changes we are all having to cope with, I think it is imperative to our physical, emotional and spiritual health to check in with ourselves and assess how we are, and how we can better care for ourselves. Below are some ideas for doing that.

Physical

Exercise & Activity — Despite gyms being closed and many parents needing to stay home with their kids, physical activity and spending time outside continues to be of utmost importance — not just for our physical health, but for our emotional and spiritual health as well. 

Ask yourself what would be doable in your current circumstances. Going to your yoga class might not be possible, but it could be possible for you to stream a class online or complete a workout in your backyard. The internet is filled with all kinds of streaming classes and different ideas for exercise. Going on a walk or bike ride might also be a way to move your body while also connecting with God’s creation outdoors.

Eating Habits — Most of us are probably eating at home a lot more. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to try out a new recipe for the family, or to take time to be intentional about what we are putting into our bodies. If you notice you are snacking a lot, take a curious approach and explore whether you are using food to cope with negative emotions such as anxiety, loneliness, or even boredom. By acknowledging what we are feeling we are more free to ask ourselves how we can better care for ourselves.

For example, if I notice I am pounding chocolate chips while trying to homeschool my kids, I might be able to recognize that I am feeling stressed and a little overwhelmed with my new role as teacher. A healthier way I can cope with my feelings is to reach out to a friend and let them know I’m feeling overwhelmed or take a 30 minute break and spend some time outside.  

Emotional

Stay Connected — I think one of the most important things we can do during this time of social distancing is to find ways to stay connected to friends and family. I currently have a few group texts going where friends and family are checking on each other, sharing about how their day is going, etc. If you are feeling disconnected, I’d encourage you to pick up the phone, check on a friend or family member, and share about your feelings. It can be very healing and comforting to even hear that another person understands and has experienced similar feelings.  

Continue to Laugh — I think we need to make sure we keep laughing. Research shows that laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, improving your resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins which promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. Give yourself permission to laugh and be light-hearted despite living in an environment that can feel very serious and fragile. Watch something funny on YouTube and Netflix or send some funny memes to friends and families — it’s good for you :-)

Spiritual

Our spiritual care is just as important as our physical and emotional care. Think about when and how you feel connected to God. Perhaps it’s when you’re spending time in nature or listening to worship music. Maybe it’s participating in a Bible reading plan or a structured Bible study. Whatever it is, I encourage you to see your own spiritual care as a holy and worthy use of your time. God created us as physical, emotional, and spiritual creatures and I continue to see in my counseling practice the way healthy spiritual care has an impact not only in your spiritual life, but also in the emotional and physical as well.

Many of us are no longer allowed to gather in our place or worship or with our small group Bible study, but many churches are now putting services and resources online to help us draw near to God. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Now is the time for us to draw near to God, to surrender our fears and burdens, and allow him to Him to minister to our spirits.

Lastly, remember to be kind to yourself and kind to others. It is okay to be feeling some anxiety about the situation we are in, but when we notice our anxiety, let’s be curious about it — ask ourselves where it’s coming from, and then seek to care for ourselves with compassion.