With the Governor making a difficult decision to implement a “Shelter-In-Place” order for the entire state of Illinois because of COVID-19 virus, we need to not only take care of ourselves and families physical health, but also their emotional health as well. So, let’s take a few minutes to ask ourselves the following questions and think about what we will do in an effort to answer them and stay “healthy”.
1 What am I grateful for today? With all the stress that we deal with on a daily basis normally, we all now have an added another layer to that because of schools closing and figuring out what to do about our kids, if you’re considered an “essential or non essential” employee working for an essential or non essential company, do you have enough “stuff” to get you through this time?
The answer to this question doesn’t need to be anything spectacular, but take time to think about even some of the smallest things that you are grateful for with each passing day. It could be the kids telling you that they love you, the sun shining in your window warming your face, or that the pot of mac & cheese you just cooked tasted magnificent.
2. Who am I checking in on or connecting with today? You may have seen the videos of people on their balconies singing, playing instruments, or simply visiting with others who are out on their balcony. As we know when we are having “one of those days”, how a simple phone call can give us a much need “hug” through the phone. Pick up the phone and call (not text) someone that you’re thinking about each day. Here’s a thought, set up a time that you can facetime with them just to talk and laugh, and maybe share a glass of wine with. Whether it’s a friend, your mom or a neighbor, my guess is it will make you both feel much better.
3. What expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today? That feeling of having to run all those errands you’re used to having to do, or the thought you HAVE to have a clean house when a pillow fort might just be the one thing you need to have in your living room at the moment. I understand wanting to have some “normalcy” during all this just to keep your mind occupied, but this is not normal and an occasional frozen pizza or hot dogs for dinner to make everyone smile is just what is really needed right now while you watch Frozen 2.
4. How am I getting outside today? Look, I don’t have to tell you this…too much time inside will drive you nuts! The temperatures are still a little cool, but bundle up and take the kids and yourself for a walk around the neighborhood. Fresh air is one of the best things for this, just remember that if you see a neighbor or friend…keep a safe distance as you wave to them and wish them a happy day. I’ve seen suggestions for a scavenger hunt in your yard having the kids run around looking for all the items on the list. Remember, this will all be over soon!
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5. How am I moving my body today? You can make this part of the 4th question if you’d like, but the point is to make sure you are keeping your body moving. Chasing kids around the house cleaning up after them, taking a quick few minutes to dance with the kids or by yourself, making cleaning the house a game, and if you have more than a few minutes…pop in the yoga dvd that we all have laying around.
6. What beauty am I creating, cultivating or inviting in today? The highest form of intelligence is creativity because it’s coming from your imagination as you create something in a way that no one has ever done before. Maybe it’s something as simple as taking a pen to paper and doodling, or breaking out the Easter decorations and doing something completely different with them than you have the past few years. My daughter and I used to sit and write songs together, she would come up with a line and I would come up with the next. These songs never went further than our living room, but we sure had fun writing and singing them with each other on our make shift stage. The point is, let your mind go and let beauty come in and let it back out in a wondrously creative way.
We will all get through this as family, a community, a nation and a world. Hang in there, it’s going to be ok.
Doc
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