How’s your mental health right now? Have you struggled with anxiety, depression, insomnia, or other disorders? How are you holding up?
I don’t personally hold any of these diagnoses, but have seen them in those I know and love. I’ve felt the kind of lows I wonder if I’ll ever pull out of, where I feel compelled to seek sleep and my bed as a form of escape, but thankfully, they had not become my normal. I can imagine how debilitating these disorders can be. I’ve seen it in those I care most deeply about.
Given the current state of our world, we could be seeing many of our friends and neighbors or ourselves struggle to be at peace. Our mental health will be put to the test. I have felt some of these challenges already, as I’m sure you have too.
I worry about my husband when he goes out to get our groceries. I worry about my children, can I keep them safe? I worry about myself. Am I doing enough? Will I get sick? What would happen to my family if I did? My parents are high risk, some of my dear friends are at risk, my sister is at risk, my past co-workers are at risk… Will there be someone to care for them if they fall ill? Would they survive? What are the lasting effects? Will we have enough medical supplies? Will we keep up? What about our economy? What about our connections and imports from other countries? People are losing their jobs. Will they be ok? What will happen with health insurance? How many will die? Will we have a vaccine? Will we find an effective treatment? If my mother gets sick, would I be able to see her? Will there be enough food for people?
I believe all of these thoughts are normal, and in moderation, a necessary part of living this experience. The problem is when these thoughts turn into panic and debilitate us. This is where our mental health will be put to the test. We’ll need to reflect deeply on how to care for ourselves best. It’s well known that we can’t care for others unless we first care for ourselves.
My kids and I sat down yesterday morning and talked about how we can keep our brains healthy during quarantine. We made a list. Included on that list were activities we enjoyed, things we wanted to learn, getting outdoors, and goals for the future. We also brainstormed ways to stay connected with our friends and family through technology. We had a nice long talk with Grandma using video chat and it reminded us of our need to connect with the outside world.
Be patient with yourselves and those around you as we all begin seeking ways to cope and stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit. What works for me may work for you, but likely it won’t, or at least not all of it. Now is a time to reconnect with yourself. What do you need?
For me, I need an outlet of expression, hence finally starting the blog I had only toyed with as an idea in the past. I also need a sense of purpose. I find this in the faces of my children, through helping others, and deepening my connection to a higher power. I’ve started to read A Gracious Space – Spring Edition by Julie Bogart and A Daybook of Positive Thinking: Daily Affirmations of Gratitude and Happiness A Blue Mountain Arts Collection edited by Patricia Wayant. In addition to reading this, I have been sending the daily pages to close friends and family. I have also moved our homeschool classes I once loved doing in-person to online, which helps me feel connection and gives me a way to help others from afar. I have shared supplies and resources our family has with those we love and donated to those in need in our community.
I’m learning about things I care about and am planning for the future with our farm; where I hope to someday have the ability to feed more than just ourselves and share the knowledge we gain with others. I’m making more time for calls and texts from friends/family. I’m limiting my time on social media (this mess is a topic all on its own). I’m going to be making a point of getting outdoors, hiking, and continuing to find beauty in the nature that surrounds me. I will continue to get dressed and shower, despite not seeing anyone each day. I’m going to let “school” slide when it doesn’t serve us. I will pick my battles with my spouse and children. I will make nutritious meals with what we have and move my body everyday. I’ll take some time in the morning to have my cup of coffee and get my head on straight before entering the chaotic life that is five children in quarantine.
What will you do to care for you? To keep your brain healthy? It takes intentional awareness and reflection to remain in touch with ourselves. It’s easy to slip away and give in to the seemingly endless demands, lose ourselves, and feel off balance as the world spins. I’m reminding myself, as well as you, that it’s ok to slow down. Breathe.
Stay home. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Slow down. Breathe.