Dance in the Rain: How to keep your JOY in times of Distress

A Few Tips to Manage Your Stress and Keep Smiling

In a time, when the news of the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to change the way we think about living, it is easy to imagine the worst things to come.  Our emotions may become overwhelmed with worry and fear. If we are not careful, anxiety and depression may seek to attack our hope and leave us in despair. In addition to following all the precautions for social distancing and hand washing, here are a few tips that you can use to help manage your stress.

1)     Rest Your Mind and Body – Since we are limited on going many places, take this time to rest. Try relaxing your body by taking deep breaths through your nose and letting it out slowing through your mouth. Let your mind focus on your breathing. If a worrisome thought interrupts your peace, let it float right back out and just keep BREATHING.  Stretching, exercising and eating a well-balanced diet are also great ideas to stay healthy.

2)    Rejuvenate Your Youth – Rather than scrolling constantly through social media updates, watching, reading, and listening to news stories all day, take a break and do something that brought you joy when you were younger. Draw, color, play jacks, badminton, sing, dance, or try teaching the kids how to hopscotch. These “feel-good” activities are sure to combat anxiety, bring laughter, and connect you with the ones you love.

3)    Re-connect with family and friends – When was the last time you talked with your childhood friend or chatted with an elderly relative or neighbor. Scroll through your phone and connect.  Encourage one another. If they start to bring your mood down, use this final tip to stay positive.

4)    Replace Worry with Positive Thoughts - Worrying leads to anxiety because we tend to overthink, re-think, and think again on things that have happened or things we fear will come to pass. Did you know that we can CHOOSE THE THINGS WE THINK ABOUT? If worrying makes us feel bad, then replace it with a POSITIVE thought. Try it! When a negative worry tries to attack your mind; immediately replace it with gratitude or something positive and see if your mood changes.

5)    Re-energize with Laughter – Haven’t you heard, “Laughter is Good Medicine?” It’s true! Laughing releases endorphins, or “happy chemicals” in our brain, that reduces pain, boosts our immune system, fights stress and restores our energy. Each day, try to plan a time to do something you enjoy and let yourself laugh out loud. If there doesn’t seem to be anything joyful going on…SMILE anyway!  You’ll be amazed at how you feel.  

Hopefully, you will find this handful of strategies helpful. Should you find that you are more distressed and having a more difficult time coping, remember it is okay to talk with professionals who are trained to help. Right now, many mental health professionals are offering tele-mental health services, which means you can receive counseling from the comfort of your own home using your phone or computer. Contact your insurance company to find a provider in your network. If someone is in a crisis, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-374-8255 (TALK).  

Just keep smiling!