how to continue to cope with the emotional coronacoaster (and that time I had covid)
Do you feel like you’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster for the last 18 months since COVID graced us with their presence???
I get it. I really do.
I had COVID in August (yes, even though I am double vexed) and there is a whole long story there… I’ll maybe tell it to you someday. For now I’ll leave you with this…
Having COVID for me was much more emotional then it was physical (thank you science - I know far too many others that it WAS way more physical). I had a headache and was physically and emotionally exhausted for TWO WEEKS. Two weeks of parenting and adulting while feeling like any one task might trigger my check engine light and drain what fumes I did have. My emotions were all over the place, and when I resumed normal activities again after nearly a month (two weeks with the covid and two weeks of isolation for my kids after I was contagious), I felt a kind of emotional whiplash reentering “regular life.”
AND it doesn’t end there, not 20 days after all that, hubs and I are taking turns being home with my youngest who was deemed a close contact from daycare AND then my oldest son had to stay home from school because he had a runny nose.
I won’t deny that it’s been a lot and I’ve had to REALLY hunker down and be intentional about my time, emotions and energies. I’ve had to pivot more times then I can count in the last two months (ahem, 18 months).
Also, I need to be transparent, there have been moments where I was not ok. But today as I write this I am ok, really, and you might be thinking, how can she be???
I’m coping well (and when I’m not ok, I can bring myself back to grounded) because of what I’m about to share with you below.
Here are some of my thoughts on continuing to have stamina and cope with The Coronacoaster
Get back to basics. Prioritizing the basics like: drinking water, eating good food, making time for hygiene and rest, AND noticing when the urge strikes you, play and be carefree.
Stop, breathe and listen. Right now and throughout the day, bring your attention inside your body and notice you & the surface beneath you. Be intentional about your breath and keep your attention here for as long as you can.
Break out the journal. Seriously, journal everything. Every single thought that comes into your head, write it down. Get it onto the paper and out of your head. No grammar, no perfection, no proper spelling. Just you and the paper, completely unapologetic and uncensored (yes curse words are welcome here).
Sit in the quiet. Let’s not call this meditation, because that might increase your stress levels by trying to do it “right.” Just sit in the quiet, even if it’s not quiet, bring your attention inside, create some space for awareness, focus on the right now, give yourself a hot-minute to explore a new perspective.
Be in nature. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Take off your shoes and put your bare feet in the grass. Notice the sky. Stare at a tree. Admire your house plant.
Take time away from your screens. Seriously, stop all the excuses. Be open, take the edge off, create awareness, welcome, and redirect that time spent. Put your phone on silent and in another room. Dedicate an hour each day where YOU and your phone are not in the same room. Detox completely, delete an app for an entire weekend.
Just like a rollercoaster, seasons, emotions and sensations will come and go. Right now, so much is out of our control - and it can feel like we’ll never get off the rollercoaster AND even with so much uncertainty, I know for certain that engaging in the practices of being present, authentic, creative and mindful will create more capacity in your life.
Gentle and friendly reminder, if you don’t take time to feel your feelings, they will get bigger, louder and more intense.
Comment below and tell me what you’ve been doing to cope.
Until next time,
