During a crisis, do you feel the panic around you? Are you feeling the panic held within yourself? Our bodies hold what our minds and spirit feel in this world, and currently we are not exposed to a great deal of peace and joy. It still exists all around us, but when tensions are high, it can be hard to see. Check out our mental health tips below to calm your brain down for a moment and check out our wellness course on teachable: Panic to Peace.
Disclaimer: This article has resources about restoring wellness, and is based on my research and my experiences. This information is not meant to take the place of counseling or therapy. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or need to talk to someone, wellness resources may be helpful.
Mental Health Tips During a Crisis
Our days are filled with fear right now, especially with the unknown and routines changing during this crisis (PBS). When we experience fear, our minds often race and cause the sensation of panic.
I imagine many of us are working from home by now, maybe your kids are home too and everyone is just trying to do their best! So with our brains going a million miles an hour, what can we do? That question is important right now, so we are gathering resources to help you.
The crisis resources in this article are gathered from reliable sources, such as CDC, PBS, and NPR.
1. Be safe & Wash your hands to a 20 second song
We’ve all heard it, but what’s the big deal about washing your hands. May seem trivial during a crisis, but our brains get so consumed on what we cannot control that we often forget that we can do a major service to the world by taking control over our hygiene habits.
- And from a mental health stand point the sensory affect of water running over your hands with the smooth sensation of soap.
- Rhythmic motion of hand washing can force your brain to sit a semi-hypnotic state for a few moments, just long enough to knock your anxiety down a peg- or more!
- Washing your hands for 20 seconds or longer with soap and water can significantly lower the spread of bacteria.
- “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, I’m begging of you please don’t take my man. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene. Please don’t take him just because you can.”
- Sing the first verse of “This Little Light of Mine.”
(and more on NPR)
2. Social distancing during a Crisis (not isolation, stay digitally connected!)
Not sure how to social distance? First, social distancing is keeping safe distance between yourself and others to keep from spreading the virus (CDC). This does not mean we have to socially isolate ourselves, that can lead to depression and more anxiety.
We can stay connected in creative ways:
- Video calls & video conferencing (skype, Facetime, zoom)
- Call a friend you haven’t talked to in awhile
- Talk to a neighbor, you can stand fat least 6 feet apart and still connect
- Hold a virtual living room meal
- Have a FaceTime game night
- Get out the family pictures and videos and take a trip down memory lane
- Write a letter, email, message someone
- Reach out to a helping professional (licensed counselors)
Tips on social distancing during a Crisis:
Try being at home and not in public places, always stand 6 or more feet from others, and avoid all one-on-one breathing distance conversations that you can for the next few(ish) weeks (CDC).
Quick Talking Points with Social Distancing
Try out these quick talking points for the next time you find yourself wanting to be up close and personal.
- “Hey neighbor! (from 6 feet or more away) how your flowers doing this season?”
- “Our apartment is so small, I just want to leave the house! I’m going stir crazy! But I know I can’t leave, I’ll go put on a relaxing youtube video of waves rolling in, or maybe some panoramic shots of mountains!”
- “I want to bake a cake more than ever, but I don’t have brown sugar! Oh man, I’m going to write down in my planner a few weeks from now to bake a cake on our first day back in the regular office!”