3 Calming Tips for COVID-19 Times: Be the Eye of the Storm
The storm of COVID-19 is swirling around us, but when it comes to staying healthy, safe, and SANE, we can each be the calm at the center of our own storm. When you are the eye of the storm, you spread calm to others.
When it comes to worries, a worldwide pandemic like COVID-19 seems like the mother of them all – because it’s affecting nearly everyone on the planet right now. But like any challenge in life, no matter how big or small, we are in control of how we feel about it and how we handle it. We can choose to panic and go wild with worries, or we can find a way to stay calm and centered.
Below are three tips for staying calm in the midst of this particular storm. Here’s a video I shot today while walking and talking about these three points.
1. Connect with Yourself
When you are calm, secure, and centered in your own mind and body, you are well prepared to weather any outside conditions, no matter how much you are buffeted about. So focus on what helps you calm yourself, and do those things. It could be anything, and it will be different for each one of us, so make your list of self-connection activities, and do them:
- Exercise
- Meditate
- Eat well
- Be mindful
- Stay present
- Pray
- Practice hobbies
- Breathe
- Do yoga
There is no end to this list – the important thing is to identify what works for you to calm your mind and body, get connected to your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and stay centered and grounded.
Remember: home is in your head. There is no safety and security in an anxious mind. Clear your mind of racing thoughts, focus on being present, do what you can, and let go of what you can’t. Be at home and at peace in your mind; that is the eye of the storm.
2. Detach from News/Opinions
Whether it’s COVID-19 or anything else, take what you like and leave the rest when it comes to news and opinions. Being informed is important for staying safe and sane, but you have to make sure you have the bandwidth to process the information. So look and listen for the information you need to take care of yourself and family given the current situation, and then detach from taking in more than you can handle.
For some, this might look like a news fast, or relying on a trusted friend to filter the news for you. For others, the more information, the better they feel. Others might do best writing a list of specific questions and then searching for the specific answers. However you gather information, give yourself permission and support to take what’s relevant and let go of what’s not.
If you’re intensely worried and anxious about the glut of information, consider the concept of psychological distancing. Psychological distancing is different from social distancing, which is about putting physical space between us and others, in that it’s a way to separate ourselves mentally from our own reactions and emotions. Here are some examples:
- Talk to yourself in the third person – Rather than using “I” in your thoughts about the situation, use your own name; “It’s ok, Linda, you’re doing all you can to understand the situation, get the information you need, and take appropriate protective measures.”
- Talk to yourself in the collective – think in terms of “we”; “We’re all going to work together to get through this, we’re in a worldwide community and we’re all doing our best to do our part and ease the impact of the situation on all of us.”
- Use temporal distancing – think about what the world and our lives will be like in the future; “In six months/a year/three years, this will all be behind us, and we will be a stronger family/community/world for the experience.”
Research shows that psychological distancing improves our ability to cope with negative emotions and stressful situations, as well as supports our ability to make rational decisions. So we’re acting out of knowledge and reason rather than emotion and panic.
Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed! Stay focused on what you need to know to stay calm, safe, sane, and healthy. Then seek out that information, and know when enough is enough.
3. Connect with Your Community
Connecting in positive ways with friends and family is very calming and grounding. Although many of us are staying home to protect ourselves and others, we can still connect with others in positive and meaningful ways.
It’s incredible how quickly we are adapting – so many of our daily activities are rapidly moving into the virtual world. People are having virtual dinner parties, drinks, dates, play dates, support meetings, medical and therapy appointments, and so many more interpersonal interactions. Staying at home does not have to mean being alone or lonely.
Keep it positive and uplifting with these suggestions:
- Call those you know are able to listen and respond without being bogged down by fear and negativity
- Don’t just dump and run, remember to ask how they are doing, and be ready to listen with full attention
- Once you’re past the fear and negativity, mention some of the positives in the situation
- Share three things you’re grateful for
- Bring some humor, a joke, a funny story, a pun
- Break up the laser focus and tunnel vision on the virus; get on a video call and show your friend what you’re doing to stay occupied during self-isolation (for example, my family reorganized our kitchen cabinets!)
Make sure you reach out and ask for the help you need to share concerns and worries. Get it off your chest! And don’t forget to share the joys and successes, too. Sharing our experiences with others who understand and accept us helps to reduce stress and increase good feelings. When we connect and share with others, we increase our resilience and ability to handle the difficult circumstances around us.
You can be the eye of this and any other storm. When you’re calm and centered, you influence others around you. Be the calm. Spread your calm. The more we feel calm and centered, the more we will be able to handle the stresses swirling around us.
