Don't Panic
It's vitally important that we don't panic. That isn't just advice about the news of the day - it's just generally good advice. We all make bad decisions when we panic. Panic clouds the brain and leads to more stress. But how do we stop it? We live in a 24 hour news cycle full of disease and desperation, in a world where we seem to have less control every day. It becomes difficult to avoid. So what to do?
1) If the news is stressing you out, turn it off for a while. An hour, a day, a week - however long it takes you to reset your balance. When I turn off the news, I tend to turn on HGTV (they make things pretty). If that doesn't make me feel better, I watch some of my favorite old movies, read fiction, garden or go swimming.
2) Control what you can. If it's about the virus, wash your hands and try to stop touching your face. You probably don't need to hoard quite so much toilet paper, but have some toiletries and some extra food on hand. The goal is to be able to not go out if you are sick or just trying to avoid crowds.
3) Find a plague buddy (especially if you're single). Someone who can bring you food or meds if you're too ill to go out - and you can do the same for them. In Florida, your hurricane hunker people are your plague people.
4) When you're putting supplies together for a week or two of limited mobility, don't forget your kids, your pets, and your comfort items. In this house, comfort items include Legos, some games, and an adequate amount of chocolate to keep the natives quiet (it's a lot of chocolate). This isn't a hurricane or a snowstorm - it's some period of time with your TV and laptop.
5) When it comes to your daily amount of stress, simple things can help, too. When it creeps up on me, I start with three slow breaths that I hold in the middle. If that doesn't help, I take it to ten breaths.
6) Try to cut back on both stimulants (like caffeine and alcohol. Either can offer a temporary relief, both will wear you out in the long run.
7) Try to get an adequate amount of sleep. See number six. Try to set a bedtime and stick to it. Turn off the screens in the bedroom and try those deep breaths again.
8) Meditation can help you manage your stress, as well. There are any number of meditation apps and programs available. If you find one you like, send me a link and I'll be happy to share it.
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