Overnight I thought about the overwhelm I feel at the vast number of emails I am receiving from every business, website, organisation, charity etc I’ve ever had even the slightest contact with in the past. All telling me how they are dealing with the coronavirus or giving me tips about what I could be doing. A lot of online training is being heavily marketed as people desperately try to work out how they will survive financially through this time. I’ve found myself signing up for a lot more than I really need or have the capacity to attend. Meanwhile, in addition to being a therapist I’m also a part of a family who suddenly all find themselves together at home. There’s a lot of additional stuff for each of us to do together each day to make that work out. There is a lot more time together which has its upsides but also brings challenges.

So, I have decided to take some time away from social media, including this blog, to do the things that I know will help me weather the days and weeks ahead. You might like to try some of it too:

1. Nourish your body: drink plenty of water, eat healthily, get out and do some exercise (where possible) while the sun is shining.
2. Connect with others every day, whether that is with people at home with you or virtually or by telephone. BUT limit time spent on social media.
3. Limit exposure to news channels etc to once a day. Don’t inundate yourself with too much information and make sure you go for websites and programmes that you know are accurate and helpful.
4. Take time out: ensure you get some time to yourself every day doing something that makes you feel good and, yes, that might be taking an afternoon nap or just staring into space if that’s what you need.
5. Do something nice/ helpful for someone else: reach out to those who are self-isolating alone; pick up some shopping for someone; check in on the neighbourhood WhatsApp/ Facebook/ Online group to see if there is anyone out there needing something.
6. Build something calming into your day: meditation; yoga; mindfulness; drawing; doodling; playing a musical instrument; listening to music; writing a diary – anything that helps you be at peace or get into flow.
7. Acknowledge your feelings if you’re struggling with difficult emotions right now. Anger, sadness, fear, frustration, isolation, numbness, loss – the list of what you might be feeling is endless and maybe a kind of grief reaction as we find our whole way of life has turned upside down over night. It’s ok to feel that way. It’s normal. And it’s also ok to feel relief, joy, happiness at times too – hold on to those good feelings and acknowledge them too when you have them, don’t feel like you should feel something else. Accept whatever comes up for you.
8. Last, but definitely not least, SLEEP! I know it’s not easy right now, I’ve found myself waking really early most days too, awake and alert, wondering what it all means. There is lots of information out there about things to try to help you sleep, here’s just a few: expose yourself to natural daylight during the day; limit screen time in the hour or two before bedtime; make your bedroom as much like a warm, dark sanctuary as you possibly can; drink camomile tea or hot milk or whatever works for you; try one of those calming activities. And absolutely do whatever YOU know has helped you sleep in the past.

That’s it for now, I’m not going to inundate you with more tips over the next few days. Instead, I’m going to go off line here for at least the next week to be in my life as it is now.  I will continue to support clients on-line if they want that.

Take care, be safe, stay connected and may you all be well x