Social Distancing. This week I have read articles and seen news reports that this next week we will all experience Pearl Harbor and 9/11 moments. COVID-19 has disrupted the entire world. Some have lost their jobs; some have been furloughed and God forbid some have lost a friend or family member. With at least another month to go, what can you do to get some semblance of structure in your life?
Come up with a plan
Social Distancing. Structure is somehow calming. Even when we had to go to school and whether we liked it or not having classes from 8:30am to 2:30pm signified a “normal” day. Make a new normal for yourself. With being home I know it easy to stay up most of the night and sleep in until 12pm. Resist that urge. Even If you had a job that has somehow been altered by this pandemic, set up some “working hours.” Perhaps start your day at 9am or 10am. Have a designated time each day and comment to starting.
Set a goal
Social Distancing. Setting up goals are great checkpoints to meet through the day. A goal could be to wake up at 8am. I happen to be in a job where I can use telehealth, so my workday has not been impacted significantly. A goal of mine has been to write three posts to my blog weekly. Ideally, I will publish them on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Whatever your goal is, give yourself some wiggle room if something does not go as it should.
Try something new or get back into something you really enjoyed.
If you are fortunate enough to still have a job or have lost a job you are going to have some free time on your hands. Use that time to its advantage. Companies like Audible.com and Rosetta Stone have offered their entire library for free. Free! Listen or download a book that would enhance your job, learn more about a hobby or read a long book you have been putting off like “Lord of the Rings.” “Bossypants” is another good book by Tina Fey!
A note about sleeping is that it definitely is not a bad thing. A handful of the clients I see associate sleep with depression and resist it. Sleeping is wonderful for building up the immune system which is crucial right now. I know whenever I get a cold, the best medicine is to get as much sleep as I can.
If you are looking for a therapist near you and a Google search is a great way of finding one. I happen to be a therapist in Charlotte, NC but am licensed to counsel anyone in the state of North Carolina. In Google, try looking for “psychotherapist,” “find therapist,” “therapy near me,” or even “counseling charlotte, nc.” If you feel like you have hit a wall you are not able to get past, call me at (704) 458-6298 or email me at jeffhelms@clearerthoughtspllc.com.
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