Though we are pushing a few weeks in, there is still nothing normal about the continuing spread of illness and information related to COVID19. Here we are, being asked to socially distance from each other and to shelter in place. Some of you are in full-blown isolation. We are being asked to pull together and make drastic changes to our life, not for ourselves, but for those we may not even know. We are having to find our “new normal” through this ambiguous time.

How is any of this ever going to be normal?

There are many, many, many ways this situation could be impacting you. I don’t, for one second, want to remiss the fact that what is happening in our world right now couldn’t, in some way, be having a very strong emotional and mental impact on you (if you haven’t been impacted physically). There are so many moving parts. Information is changing daily. How do you know how to act or feel?

There’s no doubt about it, this COVID19 experience could be triggering some deeper emotional and mental struggles for you. The hope is that, by identifying what stirs you up the most, you can feel empowered in finding direction on a path that helps you navigate this season of life in a healthier way - whatever that needs to look like for you.

Small, simple shifts can go a long way in how you’re able to get through each day, one at a time. Look for small, NON-overwhelming ways to invite more peace and positivity into your life.

I hope the following thoughts help you find some sense of grounding in what you are able to control and manage.

Stay connected (but don’t overdo it!)

Social distancing is, essentially, the complete opposite of how we’re built to be as humans. We’re wired to connect. We crave closeness with others, literally and metaphorically. So in a time where we are being asked to stay in and refrain from the hug, handshake, or social event, I believe we will all benefit from finding other ways to nurture connection.

Board games, zoom chats (with proper security modes in place), or good ol’ phone calls are great activities to schedule into your week. Plan them ahead of time so you know what you’re looking forward to. I was invited to an 80s themed zoom happy hour chat this week. Fun times!

Continuing to nurture those relationships while apart is so healthy. Include your kids, too!

I mention not to be “too” connected, because I’ve already spoken to some people who feel burnt out by the amount of zoom chats and FaceTime calls they’ve had since this outbreak began. We must all find balance in this new, temporary normal. Know when you’ve done enough calls for the day and find time and space for your Self. This is crucial to getting through this ambiguous time as your best self. It’s okay to say no to a call, and it’s okay to back out if you’re feeling spent. None of us have one “right” way to navigate this time, so let’s be gentle, accepting, and compassionate to each other and to ourselves.

Monitor Your Screen And News Time

One of the primary doctors heading up COVID19 news updates described this as not only a pandemic, but an “infodemic”. We turn our phones or the tv on and are completely swarmed by information. Stressful information, at that.

Please, please, please be aware of the effects of information overload. Our brains filter in all of this information. It affects our entire body and physiology if we become too overwhelmed and addicted to constantly needing more information.

Practice having boundaries with your social media, apps, and the news. Try to find select hours where you allow yourself to look for updates. For me, I’ve been watching news in the morning before the kids wake up, and then allowing myself to take the day to focus on the home life, our activities for the day, and important items for work. I’m trying to be minimal of checking news on my phone, too. This was NOT how I was doing it at first, and I can already tell a difference in my stress levels by scaling back on the amount of information I’m allowing into my headspace each day.

Honor Your Emotions

Whether you realize it or not, this is a very emotional time. You may feel that you’re in “go mode” and managing things great, only to find next week that you’re having a breakdown. Or, you may feel a slow build of anxiety that just doesn’t seem to go away. Perhaps you just feel numb; like there’s nothing there.

Whatever you’re feeling, it’s not wrong. Try to find space to accept the emotional state you’re in and not to shame yourself for it (we often get into unhealthy headspace under high stress where we become critical of ourselves and what we are, or aren’t, feeling). If you’re in a relationship, honor the FACT that what you feel, and what your partner feels, about the situation might be drastically different. Can you accept this? Can you embrace it?

Liz is the founder of MLC and works with couples and individuals walking through life in the millennial generation.

We will continue to share more thoughts, geared towards couples, individuals, and millennials as we all move forward through this uncertain time. So, keep following for some healthy perspectives - we are here for you and walking through it all in real time!