May 2020: Covid19, still here
We are entering our 9th week of staying at home as I write this and in some ways, we've probably gotten used to this new normal. In other ways, we're probably all still struggling. Remember to be kind to yourself and to those around you. Have compassion, patience, and empathy for yourself and others and when you run out of that, try to take a little time for yourself (if you can), to breathe and reset.
In times where things feel so uncertain, it can be really helpful to have daily routines or rituals to help ground us. A friend of mine does an early morning yoga practice/mediation each day. Another friend goes for a run (while wearing a mask). My daily ritual is a silly one. Each night before bed, I play three games on my phone (terrible sleep hygiene! No screens at least an hour before bedtime!): Sporcle (trivia), Wordtown (word search), and Best Fiends (no redeeming value whatsoever).
What the routine or ritual is isn't as important as doing it. While everything we read about this suggests moving our bodies and taking time to reflect, sometimes just the act of having coffee in the same mug each day can feel just as grounding. Whatever the routine or ritual is that grounds you, I encourage you to keep doing it.
As we move into the final weeks of school, I expect there to be an increase in sadness and disappointment. Field trips, proms, graduations, saying goodbye; all of these look radically different or don't even exist this year. Make space to mourn these losses and changes as it is important to recognize these emotions and to keep from "fast-forwarding" or brushing them off. Feeling the more "negative" emotions are part of the process of resiliency. Try to avoid telling your child things that may feel invalidating such as "It's not a big deal, there will be other [field trips, proms, graduations, sporting events, etc]. Instead, validate what they're feeling and help them to hold that emotion. "It's so hard that you don't get to have what you expected. It's really disappointing." And just hug your kiddo tightly, as long as they let you.
Stay safe, wear your masks, and stay connected (even if only virtually)
--Dr J.
A Daily Routine Helps Us Feel Better During Difficult Times
The Importance of Keeping Routines
17 Rituals from CEOs and Artists
In times where things feel so uncertain, it can be really helpful to have daily routines or rituals to help ground us. A friend of mine does an early morning yoga practice/mediation each day. Another friend goes for a run (while wearing a mask). My daily ritual is a silly one. Each night before bed, I play three games on my phone (terrible sleep hygiene! No screens at least an hour before bedtime!): Sporcle (trivia), Wordtown (word search), and Best Fiends (no redeeming value whatsoever).
What the routine or ritual is isn't as important as doing it. While everything we read about this suggests moving our bodies and taking time to reflect, sometimes just the act of having coffee in the same mug each day can feel just as grounding. Whatever the routine or ritual is that grounds you, I encourage you to keep doing it.
As we move into the final weeks of school, I expect there to be an increase in sadness and disappointment. Field trips, proms, graduations, saying goodbye; all of these look radically different or don't even exist this year. Make space to mourn these losses and changes as it is important to recognize these emotions and to keep from "fast-forwarding" or brushing them off. Feeling the more "negative" emotions are part of the process of resiliency. Try to avoid telling your child things that may feel invalidating such as "It's not a big deal, there will be other [field trips, proms, graduations, sporting events, etc]. Instead, validate what they're feeling and help them to hold that emotion. "It's so hard that you don't get to have what you expected. It's really disappointing." And just hug your kiddo tightly, as long as they let you.
Stay safe, wear your masks, and stay connected (even if only virtually)
--Dr J.
A Daily Routine Helps Us Feel Better During Difficult Times
The Importance of Keeping Routines
17 Rituals from CEOs and Artists
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