A quick scroll on social media is enough to fill our anxiety tank to the brim. Watching the world crumble while being on house arrest generates incomparable helplessness. That’s why self-care and a new way of living during a crisis are crucial.
Below are a few gentle steps to help you cope during a crisis.
Let the pressure loose
There are enough resources telling you how to be productive during a pandemic. This may work for some but to most, it creates unnecessary pressure to be busy and to accomplish something.
News flash: You don’t need to emerge from this having learned a new language, mastering sourdough, or generating a million followers on TikTok. Let go of others’ expectations and (maybe) ridiculous standards you’re setting for yourself. Every day is a battle and the best you can do is to be kinder to yourself. It is okay to be still. It is totally fine to take it slow.
Improve your media diet
Staying well-informed of what’s happening around you will help you decide on the next best course of action. However, there is a fine line between knowing and overwhelming. With the amount of news coming from all sides, it’s easy to bury yourself deep in worry.
Limit your consumption. Try not to catch up with the world when you’re already in bed. If you must stay updated, set a time during the day and rely only on credible media outlets.
Focus on what you can control
There’s a lot going on that we don’t have control over. That’s why it’s important to shift one’s mindset and realize that we do have power over certain things.
From practicing safe habits like washing your hands and wearing a mask to making your grocery list for the next kitchen hour, focusing on what you can control helps to keep calm and find inner peace. Always remember that we can fight the barrage of bad news with an active choice of wanting to get better.
Embrace imperfection
When the going gets tough, the tough get to choose how to move forward. We should not beat ourselves up and others. We will make mistakes, miss out on daily tasks, and standards may altogether change.
This pandemic has put a stop to a lot of things we treasure. However, it has also opened us up to opportunities to experiment and hold on to things that matter most. Pat yourself on the back for trying. The choice of getting out of bed and moving is already a huge achievement. Embrace the imperfect and allow yourself to tread more lightly than ever before.
Feel no shame in seeking help
We thrive in togetherness. For that to be swiftly taken away from us is traumatic. Never be ashamed to open up to your friends or ask for help from mental health experts. Remember that you are not alone and we are figuring this new way of living together.
Talking about it is healthy. Allowing yourself to release those thoughts and emotions is still a form of self-care and liberation. On the flip side, finding other topics to talk about with family and friends is also healthy. It reminds us of the good old days and helps us look forward to a future made better.
Mona Mansfield is one of the main contributors of raw and unfiltered thoughts here at Filter No Filter. She also specializes in SEO and social media marketing.