How can I cope and reduce stress during the coronavirus pandemic?
Let yourself off the hook. Period. This is a stressful time. Any change is inevitably difficult. Luckily, children are incredibly resilient. Getting them (and you!) some healthy sleep is one important piece of the puzzle, but it certainly isn’t the whole picture. If you get off track, you will get back on track eventually.
• One thing you can do is monitor the time that you are checking the news or are on social media. Take a few minutes every day to meditate, take a few extra breaths, or exercise. Try to enjoy your child and savor the extra time together. Decreasing your level of stress will not only help you, but will help everyone in the family.
• If you are permitted to leave your home in your region of the world, try to get outside every day, especially in the morning. Not only will it help set your child’s clock for the day, but it can also help everyone feel better, you included. Perhaps you can go for a short walk around the block, sit on the steps to your home/building, or run around in the backyard if you have one. If you don’t have an outside space easily available, position yourself and your little one near a window. You may only be able to go outside for a short while, but that is okay. Even if it’s a dreary day, get outside or near a window when you can.
This post was written in the Spring of 2020. Please follow your local guidelines and advice from family health care providers for appropriate, current coronavirus safety measures.
