Adjusting to Stay at Home

Over the past several weeks our world has turned upside down, or at least that is how it feels. It has been a whirlwind of change. And if you are struggling with adjusting to everything, just know you are not alone. Our minds are still trying to catch up with everything that is happening.

Local boutique owner (Addie’s Boutique) and mom, Brandy Watkins Wills, reached out to ask me some questions about adjusting to our new reality. I wanted to share these questions and responses, because I think we are all just trying to figure this out one day at a time. And, the range of feelings and emotions you may be experiencing can be overwhelming. Finding ways to protect your mental health during this time is just as important as protecting your physical health. So here are some suggestions on how to do that.

Q: How do you suggest we handle our new normal?

Take it one day at a time and remember this “new normal” won’t last forever.  In times of uncertainty, it can be easy to stay stuck on the problem or crisis, but taking time to shift your thinking to focusing on what you can do versus what you can’t can be a game changer. 

If you love a good routine, create a new one that works for you in the moment. This will help you in adjusting to staying at home. And, allow for flexibility. Give yourself compassion if things don’t go according to plan or if you didn’t get those 5 things on your “to do list” done.  Instead of focusing on many things, just focus on one thing at a time. Allow yourself to throw perfection out the door and stay grounded in the present. 

Q: What are some tips to reset our mindset?

There’s so many things going on right now that we can’t control.  A way to shift the mindset is to focus on what you can control. Can we control coronavirus?  Heck no! (I really wish we could.) But can we do things to keep ourselves safe? Yes!

Make sure you are getting outside and moving when you can.  There’s nothing like a good walk to get out of your head and into the present. If you feel anxious, practice “brain dumping”, write all of your thoughts down on paper and then shred it or throw it away. Just getting your thoughts on paper can go a long way.

Lastly, talk to yourself more than you listen to yourself. Say only kind things and encouraging statements! Fill your mind with positive messaging to help move yourself forward instead of getting stuck in your head.

Q: Is self-care important?

Self-care during this time is not only important, it may actually be more important than in our normal day to day life.  We are in uncertain times, adjusting to a new reality, and experiencing significantly more stress than normal.

Take time, even if it’s only 10 minutes, to do something that your mind or body will thank you for.  Utilize this time to find an activity you can do that helps you de-stress and relax. This can be something you can even do with your family. Call it “power hour” and get each person to do something they enjoy for one hour.  Trust me, it will go a long way in helping maintain your sanity during this time.

Q: What should we do when we feel overwhelmed?

When feeling overwhelmed, first acknowledge that what you are feeling is a normal reaction to everything that is going on.  Accept how you feel, but don’t let yourself stay there. Take some deep breaths and do something to help distract your mind and relax your body.  My personal favorites during this time are going for a walk, doing online yoga, taking a long bath or practicing progressive muscle relaxation.

Check out 5 Calming Strategies for Any Age for a few tips and tools

Also, reach out and talk to someone. Talking to others about how we feel and how we are adjusting can also help us get our thoughts out of our head. I don’t know about you, but normally just talking about things helps me gain a new perspective, allowing me to feel less overwhelmed.  

Q: Should we take a step back from the media during this time?

If reading news articles or getting more information about coronavirus is causing you fear, anxiety, or stress, limit the time you are consuming this type of information.  You only need to check the news once a day.

As I write this, I am looking out my window to a beautiful spring day. I would have no clue that anything was going wrong in the world unless I plugged into news or social media.  Remember, the things we allow in our mind can cause us to have unhelpful thoughts which lead to overwhelming feelings. So if you are thinking and feeling this way, do yourself a favor and take a break.

I hope this helps you in adjusting to stay at home! Just remember, during times like these don’t be afraid to ask for help. We are all in this together.

Christy Pennison, LPC-S, is a board-certified professional counselor and owner of Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting. She provides counseling and consulting services online and in Alexandria, LA. She is passionate about inspiring hope through counseling to help individuals move forward and live fully.