Tips for social distancing or shelter in place or self quarantine from your friendly neighborhood introverted shaman.
First, the don’ts. Don’t dwell on what you can’t do right now. That’s a very bad energy place and a recipe for depression and anxiety. Don’t let yourself get bored. There is no reason for boredom - there are plenty of things to do if you just look around your own space. Don’t passively follow the media. This is something I recommend for all the time, not just now. Not only is dwelling on what the news tells you another bad energy place, but it also leads to panic, anxiety and depression. Don’t forget that you are not alone. This is affecting everyone, everywhere. Most of all, don’t panic! Panic is always a recipe for disaster.
Now for things to do.
Spend some energy planning, or re-planning. There isn’t anyone out there who hasn’t had to radically change some plans right now. Whether you were going to travel, take in live sports, spend a night on the town, learn something new at a conference or attend a huge gathering, you’ve had those plans ended for you. Most of you have realized already that it was the right response to a pandemic, you’ve read the research that calls for flattening the curve, and you’ve started finding out what these changes really mean to you. If you haven’t, start adjusting your thinking that way. Now. This is a global crisis. Trying to deny that is not helping anyone, especially not you. Find out what you can get rescheduled or refunded. Think about different ways of doing whatever you planned in a more limited way, or at a later date, since this won’t last forever. Or for goodness sake, go virtual. We live in an age where we can connect with each other better than we ever have, and all without leaving our own homes.
Take this stuff seriously and contingency plan. What will you need if you have to stay home for the next two to three weeks, only going to the store briefly for perishable items? Make that list, do that shopping, and then go home and take pride in the fact that you have not panic shopped and you are really ready to enter quarantine if you need to. Also, if you end up not getting sick you have both a) not added to the panic toilet paper buying craziness and b) done most of your shopping for a month so you can focus on other, more fun things.
Please while you’re making your plans and taking this seriously, be kind to one another. Buy what you need at the store, but leave what you don’t for others. Remember that stores will restock if we give them a chance to. Keep your distance from people. Even if you’re not worried about getting sick, they might have some valid reasons for not even wanting to take a chance of carrying this virus home. If you get in their space, you’re going to increase their anxiety, if nothing else, and that’s no way to treat another person. Cough or sneeze into your elbow, your shoulder, a tissue. Explain that you have allergies, because coughs are scary right now. Wash your hands. Wave, or elbow bump, or air high five. Say please, say thank you, say I love you, say you’re welcome. Say namaste, if you understand and mean it. Say God bless you, if your belief lies there. Smile when you can, and tell jokes when you can. You’ll feel better, and you just might brighten someone else’s day.
Keep healthy habits. Even if you’re not working or working from home, get up when you normally would in the morning, get dressed, eat your meals at normal times, go to bed when you usually do. Our bodies have a schedule and we do better if we keep them. Set alarms if you need them to remind yourself you need to eat. And while you’re at it, remember that you need to get some exercise and sunshine each day. It’s not a bad time to start new healthy habits if you’re not so good at them already. Get a good night’s sleep, whatever that means for you. Eat your veggies. In other words, treat your body kindly. Sleeping and keeping regular mealtimes helps keep us humans healthy. Getting dressed tells your mind that it’s time to do something, which should help you, well, do something.
And that’s the next bit of advice I have for you. Do something. Go for a walk (but keep that CDC recommended six foot distance around you). Call a friend and have a conversation that’s not about the news. Smudge. Do the puzzle in the back of your closet. Read a book. Deep clean that closet, while you’re there. There are games you can play on your phone - pick something that looks interesting, or silly. Do your research. Drink your coffee or your glass of wine or your wind down end of day beer on the porch. Finish that project you’ve been putting off. Binge watch a show. Clean everything. If you’re isolated with someone, play a board game. Start your garden. Pray, or drum, or send your healing energy out into the universe to whoever needs it. Learn something new. Dance to your favorite music. Meditate. Start yoga (there’s a whole lot of good beginner videos on YouTube). Blog, or journal. Cook! There are good videos and instructions on the web for that, too. Check on your family, friends and neighbors. Get active on social media in a positive way. Sit down with a cup of tea. Take pictures of your pets or kids (or both) and share them. Spend time with your hobbies. Order take out from your favorite restaurant (if they’re still open). Go for a drive - don’t get out of your car, don’t have a destination, just explore somewhere you haven’t been. In other words, keep your body and mind active and focused on positive things that you, yourself, can do something about.
Everything really comes down to two simple things.
Take care of yourself.
Love one another.
The whole world rests on those, people. Don’t forget.
Love and light to you all!
dwolf34
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