Three Ways to Help Maintain Balance During the Pandemic
As my Stories of COVID-19 project has been amping up (you can find more info on that here), I’ve seen that though we’re all experiencing the same event, our response mechanisms have looked a bit different across the board. Some of us pour ourselves into work; others stay occupied with streaming services and social media platforms; some are figuring out how to navigate the world of isolation with drastically reduced (to no) hours at work; while others are essential workers and nurses on the front line. No matter what, many — if not most — of us are struggling with either new or amplified experiences of depression and anxiety.
Of course, the bad news is the rollercoaster ride that is depression and anxiety is painful and harrowing. The good news is… we all know exactly how one another feels because, to some degree, we’re all experiencing it. We’re all facing the exact same thing in this pandemic. We’re all trying to learn how to adapt to the strange “new normal” of an unprecedented situation. We’re all just figuring out how to get through this.
The thread of commonality I’ve seen connecting every single person, both in the project and beyond it, is that we are all, to some degree or another, trying to stay distracted. In whatever way possible. We don’t want to think about the present, we don’t want to think about the future, and so we try not to think at all by pouring our efforts into whatever immediate source of distraction is most easily accessible.
The part of “effort” I think we so often miss out on, however — and I’m particularly seeing this during the fallout of the pandemic — is the effort it takes to rest. Especially in our society, where our worth is so tied to our level of productivity, there’s something to be said for finding ways to slow down, disconnect from the norm, and create space to simply Be. The more internal space we can create, the less power anxiety and fear have to run us.
As we go through this collective traumatic experience, no one can tell you exactly what you need, or how to approach your anxiety. If what you need right now is to binge a different season of a show every weekend, or to play video games all afternoon, or to work through the weekend just to keep your head above water — do what you gotta do.
But just remember two things: balance and grace. Grace for yourself and others as we learn how to work through these unprecedented times and are perhaps acting and reacting in ways we may not always be proud of. And balance as we learn to navigate this brave new world in the healthiest way.
Because someday, we are going to come out of this, and between the now and the then, I keep thinking about how we can best set ourselves up for success. What can we practice so that when we do emerge from all this isolation, we come out less bruised, battered, and beaten emotionally, and can rise stronger, more empowered, and more in alignment with who we deeply desire to be? If we must distract ourselves, what is the healthiest way we can do so? What can we do that will actually heal our anxiety, rather than simply numb it?
I’ve spent many hours numbing my own anxiety when I have to, and I will never reprove the need for escapism, especially when you’re in pain. However, I will always, always, always advocate for a balance of intentional self awareness, so that whatever form your escapism takes does not become a crutch. As horrible as this time is right now, I also believe it’s an opportunity for us to learn something about ourselves, to be curious, to grow in peace and understanding, and to connect — even at a distance.
So this week, I want to encourage you to do three things:
- Meditate.
Meditation looks different for everyone. It’s the practice of creating internal space and awareness through lack of thought or judgement. The more awareness is created, the more you’ll start to notice when negative thought patterns are occurring, and the more space is created, the less reactionary you’ll be. Remember that meditation is a practice, and as with all practices, it will take a little time to see results — so don’t give up!
Some people meditate through art or through prayer, others through yoga or by focusing on their breathing for a certain period of time. Try meditating three times this week, for no more than 10 minutes or so (although if you’re an experienced meditator, go for however long works for you). If 10 minutes is too much, just try five. You can do just about anything for 5 minutes.
Now, if you’re like me and you know you’ll likely forget until literally right before you’re about to go to bed, tape a note somewhere you’ll look every day (the refrigerator, the bathroom mirror, your bedroom lamp or light switch) to remind yourself, or put it in your calendar so you dedicate actual time to it. If you’re not sure how to meditate, try downloading the free app Headspace: Meditation & Sleep. It’s super approachable, and has quick guided meditations you can do either throughout the day, or just before you go to sleep.
2. Get curious.
Make a list of 5–10 things (no matter how big or how small) that you’re curious about. Besides your go-to distraction, what’s something you’ve always wanted to try? Has something you recently saw on YouTube, or something a friend posted about, sparked your interest? Do you have a hobby you haven’t touched in a while? An idea you’ve been wanting to explore? A new skill you’ve been wanting to learn? What brings you peace? Makes you feel at home? Brings you joy? After you make your list, spend a little time every day doing any one of those things. Of course, you can try more than one. The point is to move away from the usual distractions, and into something new.
3. Set boundaries.
Lastly, if you’re distracting through work, set a time limit for yourself so that you don’t work past a certain time or number of hours in the day/week — and then honor it. If you’re distracting through social media or streaming networks, consider a no-screen policy after a certain time of the day/night, or limit the number of hours you spend in front of the TV/laptop/on your phone. If your distraction is just to stay busy through whatever means possible, know that you are worth more than your level of productivity. Carve out time in your day to intentionally find stillness. Go on a walk for one hour. Sit in a park with no music, books, or phone, and just watch the world around you. Color, paint, draw, or make a craft just for the sake of using your hands — without an end goal. Do yoga. Find rest.
So that’s it! Meditate. Get curious. Set boundaries.
Rest.
Whenever the day comes that we emerge from this bizarre season of our lives, my hope is that we’ll all do so with more understanding, greater compassion, and abundant grace for ourselves and those around us.
Lots of love, my friends, and thanks for reading!
If you’d like more like this, email storiesofcovid19@gmail.com to receive a weekly letter of encouragement just like this one. You can also follow me on Instagram @storiesofcovid19 and on Facebook.
