Dahlia Loeb: Resilience During a Crisis

Those of us who are lucky enough to have our health, the health of our loved ones, and stable employment (with the ability to work from home) during this pandemic have much to be grateful for. But even with immense gratitude for what we have, the stress of social distancing, looming economic uncertainty, and maintaining work-life balance when the two are now conflated, can be overwhelming.

Experts will tell you that eating right, setting time for exercise, and generally sticking to a routine are golden strategies for staying sane during this emergency. These are very good tips, worth adopting if you aren’t already doing them. Here are a few more ideas for maintaining your physical and emotional wellbeing during this acute time.

Focus on Values Rather Than Emotions
Emotions are a powerful psychological force. They are closely tied to our realities and personal situations; they can change frequently and be informed by a range of internal and external factors. Values, on the other hand, are essential to our individual identity and sense of self. Use this time as an opportunity to reflect on your ethical code. Find the ideals and beliefs that you can act on to be helpful. Your determination, compassion, grace, creativity, and charity can be powerful influencers right now. By mobilizing your tenets, you will find positive outlets for your emotions as well.
Remember to exercise this ethos when interacting with yourself as well. Maintain an inner monologue that is kind and respectful; give yourself the credit and fairness you are extending to others.

Plan for the Future
Give yourself something to look forward to. Set a (flexible) date and time to do something fun. Establish a (subject to change) deadline by which you accomplish something you have wanted to do for a while. These calendar items are powerful sources of motivation. They remind us that this craziness will not go on forever and that we have meaningful things we want to get done.
Another good thing to do is to set regular “drop off” times for your issues and problems. Decide that once a week after breakfast you are going to unload all the challenges you are facing for a few minutes. Give yourself the time to revel in these worry-free minutes. Use the clarity to find the energy to power forward.

Do a Deep Clean
Now is a good time to cleanse your house and life of all the toxins that are hindering your wellbeing. In addition to clarifying your living space, now is a good time to reduce the dietary elements that weigh down your system and make it more volatile (e.g. sugar, processed food). Creating a tranquil and stable inner space and environment will help buffer against the chaos in the world.

Do Good
Reflect on your own situation and decide what you can do for others. Whether giving money, volunteering your time, or checking in with loved ones, be a source of help. If you have something delivered, tip generously. When doing your grocery shopping, buy a few extra items to deliver to a food pantry or neighbor in need. Being in a position to give is a gift. Treat yourself to it regularly.

Create Quiet
Noise-cancelling headphones are a game changer generally and even more so now. They will give you some calm and let you be productive. They also come in handy when you just want to get away from it all but have to remain in place. The noises of everyday life can be too much; give yourself the joy of a few minutes of quiet.

None of this is easy for anyone. Find your inner strength and stay safe.

Dahlia Loeb tweets at https://twitter.com/dahlialoeb