Now that many of us are housebound, we need to focus on keeping ourselves empowered. That means being cautious about our media diet. It also means developing a routine that serves our own purposes and isn’t just a reaction to events outside our control.
Both social media and the news media are inclined to stir up the emotions. The media use language that triggers and then exaggerates your emotions. You probably don’t need that right now, so limit your media exposure to a daily news bulletin. If in doubt about anything to do with your health, check with the federal or state health departments’ web sites.
The fact is, if you are observing government recommendations about social distancing and hygiene, you ARE coping and you ARE doing your bit.
If you become overwhelmed by things going on in the world, focus on the tasks immediately before you: Taking out the garbage, doing the laundry, folding your clothes away, making your bed, vacuuming the floor, are all jobs you can do as a routine that will make a positive difference.
Admiral William H. McRaven says "If you make your bed every morning… it will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another… the little things in life matter... if by chance you have a miserable day… a made bed – a bed that YOU made- gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better."
Take one day at a time and so one thing at a time. Go out for a walk. You need exercise and also sunlight each day – it is nature’s own antidepressant- but you don’t need to stay glued to social media while you do so because you will miss the flowers.
Another thing you can do, if you can’t or don’t feel like talking about what is on your mind is journaling. The act of writing your thoughts can actually get them out of your system.
By Warren Heggarty of Panorama Magazine with Mark Cliff
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