Care for yourself is just as important! Kids regulate in response to the adults around them, so the calmer you are, the calmer they will be. Here are just a few ways to help you keep your cool in these changing times:
Emotional
- Acknowledge your anxieties and/or frustrations.
- Journal or draw your feelings.
- Talk to trusted adults (especially if you are a single parent!).
Mental
- Do some hard things that don’t involve virus prepping (e.g. sudoku, crosswords, logic games).
- Get creative! Do arts and crafts with your kids. Plan a dream vacation. Redesign your home. Try a new hobby.
- Read for fun (not the news!)
Physical
Breathe.
- Eat healthy food as much as you can, but don’t beat yourself up for comfort eating or eating what’s left on the shelf.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Get some physical exercise. (Try online fitness or yoga videos.)
Social
- Ask for help.
- Do follow helpful accounts (Try @DrBeckyAtHome.)
- Limit consumption of news.
- Reach out to family and friends.
Spiritual
- Find some breath prayers to pray (e.g. “Lord, help me.” “God, you’re in control.”).
- Keep attending church. (Live stream or listen to saved sermons if necessary.)
- Memorize and/or write down Scriptures that you can read to stay grounded. (Job 19:25-27, Job 42:1, Psalm 46, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 57:11, Psalm 58:16, Micah 7:7, John 3:14-15)
– Sarah Earles, MS, LPC, Child & Family Therapist