Staying Grounded in a Pandemic

Grounding is keeping oneself in control of personal emotions during a time of chaos. How then to remain grounded as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are some ideas:

• Find balance between the chaos, and calm. Go outside, and become more aware of your environment. During your time outdoors, stop; take a deep breath and focus on all the life that is around you.

• Stay away from the agitation of news cycles that blare at you 24/7. It is not important to stay riveted to cable news, or social media just to hear a repetition of sad news. Take a break. Moderate the time you spend watching, and listening, and tweeting.

• Immerse yourself in music, reading, and meditation. These activities offers us a chance to harness an inner self that is in whirlwind-mode. Sitting in a darkened room, as you listen to your favorite Spotify playlist or album, goes a long way toward helping you stay calm.

• Finally, reach out and connect to others for a dose of human contact. Pick the person that has the ability to calm the swirling emotions within; someone who is mindful of your feelings, and empathic.

Yes, it can seem overwhelming during this time, and allowing moments of stress or anxiety to grow can be insidious, and lead to panic attacks or depression. Before this happens, take the time to ground yourself. You can do it. By practicing the above, you will maintain the skills to remain engaged, and grounded during any stressful time.