Being stuck in a place can be tormenting. Almost everybody around the globe is feeling anxious, sad and fearful. You are not alone, we are all in this together. Most of us are stuck at home alone , not knowing what to do or what the future holds or even when this all is going to come to an end. All kinds of fears are surfacing for many.
I know, I’ve been running towards food to feel good and comforted, but that’s not going to help me for long. Getting groceries is becoming a task and the scare of falling sick with COVID-19 is real.
In such gloomy times, I’ve come up with a little list that can help us soothe the anxiety. As a counselor in the making, this is the least I can do for you and me.
1. Accept the reality and show gratitude
The reality is sad, the number of cases and deaths are increasing with every passing day. The governments are doing everything they can and so are we, but these are the unchangeable facts. It’s time we accept what is and start being grateful for the tiniest blessing coming our way. Make a pact with yourself to keep adding things in your daily gratitude journal. Bullet it or doodle it. It’s time to be your own hero!
2. Write down your fears and then challenge them
The act of writing our fears down in itself can be therapeutic . So let your fears flow through you and onto a paper. Once done, challenge each of the fears! It can be slightly difficult but totally worth it..after all most fears are baseless.
3. Break the negative thinking loop with a rubber band
Wear a comfortable rubber band on your wrist (ensure it isn’t too tight)and snap it lightly every time you catch yourself in a negative thinking loop. This method helps bring back the attention to here and now.
4. Re-do a space in the room/house
Pick a small corner and redo it. You could put a chair , throw some cushions, light a candle or fix some fairy lights, and voila, you have a new space ready. If this seems a bit too far fetching, simply re-arranging the furniture can be great. The idea is to create an uplifting ambience by getting creative and snapping out of the dull mood.
5. Practice square breathing or other deep breathing exercises
The square breathing is simple and helps immensely- you breathe in filling up your lungs for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds and hold your lungs empty for 4 seconds. Then repeat.
You could also try various other deep breathing exercises that have helped you in the past.
6. Get moving even if its within the room
I cannot stress on this enough. Movement is essential for our mental health, hence, dance, walk or do sit-ups . Get creative and resourceful.
7. Use the 5–4–3–2–1 sensory exercise
List down or name while doing the following:
5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 sounds you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing that you can taste
This exercise helps bring us back to the present and helps us become more aware of our environment.
8. Walk barefoot
In case you are stuck in a room and its clean, walk barefoot and feel the earth below. If possible, put a carpet and walk on its soft texture. This will help you ground back.
9. Take a hot water salt bath
Salt is known to have a healing touch, hence taking a hot water shower with some salt can calm the nerves .
10. Watch uplifting stories
We become what we watch, so let’s promise to watch only positive, uplifting stories.
We are all in this together. Please reach out to your extended friend circle and ask if they are doing fine. It’s time to wear that cape and become a hero, even if it means calling a few friends to ensure they are well.