How to Stay Sane During the COVID-19 Virus.

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a universal pandemic in what feels like days. Follow these 5 steps to staying sane during this challenging time of transition.

What is happening? COVID-19 is a global pandemic that seizes power from immune systems that are weak. As the death toll continues to rise, it's important not to forget fundamental tools for dealing with change. I've outlined the top 5 steps to take that will be critical for reducing stress, and increasing your mind's ability to adapt during this time.

1. Stay Present

Worrying feels like the normal thing to do when you've just watched your entire routine and lifestyle get rocked by something out of your control. But worry will take your mind away from the present moment, and show you a future reality that elicits fear and that truly does not exist. Why mentally go there when you don't have to? Stay present with your current situation - do you see any unrecognized gifts there? Maybe you've found some extra time to engage with family, or a chance to re-evaluate your career. Wherever you've found yourself, become mindful of the things you can appreciate and be present for. When you give yourself the chance to "feel" in the present moment, you begin to understand what compassion and love mean at a deeper level. We often run so fast through life that we can hardly catch our breath or slow down to enjoy the process. When you can experience happiness on the inside regardless of what goes on outside of you - you can get through anything. That's the most liberating feeling amongst great change - only you can choose how you want to show up.

2. Prioritize

A period of great change will bring a period of deep re-evaluation as we all begin to look at what's most and least important to us at this time. As restrictions and bans on socializing in groups begin to expand amongst the United States, we are seeing people face new challenges of isolation and economic hardship. Self-care is a critical priority for all men and women regardless of age, since it's our personal responsibility to take care of ourselves. In order to make smarter decisions amongst change, we must first decide that we are worthy of our our time and our own care. It's easy to self-sabotage, and let go of key responsibilities when life offers a big change at an unforeseen time. But prioritizing your mental health and physical health is the greatest step you can take to cope with change on your own. What that looks like is up to you - and hint: there will be some steps on this list! But there's a plethora of ways you can prioritize self-care in today's age. Find something that works for you and commit to it daily. Also, don't stop there with your priority list - go ahead and write out the different areas of your life and notice which areas deserve more of your attention. Take this time to prioritize your life and get clear on what your values are.

3. Get Support

When change hits, it can be devastating and have you scrambling to find a "new norm." Sure, you're an independent person, but we all meet trouble in life - and the key is to know your emotional limits. Getting support is natural in life, although sometimes our view of asking for support is weak - and we feel undeserving to ask anyone to do anything for us. I've realized that it's only the perceptions we have about ourselves, and the beliefs we hold around giving and receiving cause us to suffer in our heads. Getting honest about what you need right now is vital, and if you need help, it's okay to speak up. If you need help with your children, speak up. If you need help with your parents, speak up. If you need help with getting through these tougher economical times, speak up. Hungry? Speak up. Asking for help does not mean you are weak, it means you are strong enough to know how human you are and how we are all here to give and receive. Seeking faith? With most houses of worship closed, you'll find a tremendous amount of different ministries online with streaming content and spiritual messages of comfort. When we feel we've lost our strength, how nice it is to know that we're not alone. God works miracles in the dark, so remember that no matter where you are, you've got support and spiritual strength to get you through these challenging times.

4. Meditate

Have you meditated lately? If you're quarantined like I am, then you'll want to learn how to meditate. According to the Self-Realization Fellowship, "Meditation is the science of God-realization; the special form of concentration in which the attention is freed from distractions and restless thoughts and focused within; bringing conscious awareness of the in-dwellng presence of God." Aside from all the health benefits that come with meditation, it's also amazing for seeking space. Once you close your eyes, you tap into an infinite awareness that goes beyond the body and your surroundings. Through mindful breathing techniques, you can gain awareness of your breath and calm yourself down in any environment. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, meditation is for you. Meditation is your tool for finding your bliss, for navigating tough decisions, for getting through trouble, and so on. Meditation will always be the answer when you are unsure of yourself - because it will allow you to reduce the noise of your ego and let you hear the words of your heart. You can find tons of resources to help you to meditate through websites like youtube and with apps like the calm app and headspace. If you're new to meditation, start with guided meditations which will help ease your mind into the art of concentration.

5. Journal

Journaling is a great tool for self-care and for addressing your emotional health during every season of life. Journaling for the mind is like showering for the body - it feels good and helps you rid yourself of the past. Journaling lets you gain an inner awareness of your own belief system, and illuminates the position from which you're operating from. Are you living in fear and frustration? What has your focus right now? Your journal is your journal, it's not something you'll ever have to share with anyone, so I invite you to get personal and express yourself there. What's great about journaling, is the actual acknowledgement of what's going on inside of you - it's a space for you to learn more about yourself. Journaling is free therapy, and becomes a special practice once you treat it like one. During big change, it's important to give yourself time to think and self-reflect, so you can tap into the inner strength you need to proceed with action and a clear mind. Journaling is a great practice for all ages, and will become a gift to yourself as you document your life's journey.

Those are my 5 steps for remaining in more peace during this challenging time. I'm not a professional doctor, but I believe we have a God that is a divine physician and can help us heal during this time of transition. Never be afraid to call on God for help during times of crisis and trouble. If this blog post has helped you in any way, please like, comment, and share this post to continue spreading the good vibes to everyone around the world.

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