There is plenty to be stressed about in 2020. From a global pandemic to an important Presidential election, it makes sense why anyone might feel a lack of control right now.
Jokes are made all the time about the atrocious year that 2020 turned into.
Since 2016, it seems like every year feels a little more out of control, and the chaos can feel overwhelming at this point. At the end of 2019, so many of us optimistically thought, “2020 will be my year,” only for it to crash down and crush this idea within days.
So far this year, we witnessed:
wildfires devouring much of Australia
tensions rising between the U.S. and Iran
a much anticipated impeachment trial in the Senate
the declaration of coronavirus as a global pandemic
the tragic deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant
numerous countries establishing travel bans
Joe Biden’s success in the Primaries, and Bernie Sanders dropping out of the Presidential election
the death of Ahmaud Arbery caught on camera
entire states closing schools and shutting down across the nation
an economic crisis emerging from the closures of nonessential businesses
the cancelation of the 2020 Olympics
a major turning point in a revolution led by Black Lives Matter, after police brutality took the lives of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, which brought to light many other cases
police officers and unmarked soldiers deploying tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters
doctors and nurses working tirelessly on the frontlines
and so on…
So, there is plenty to be stressed about, considering that we still have five more months until 2020 is over (assuming 2021 is a clean slate). Chances are, you might have forgotten that some of the above events even happened this year. How are we supposed to keep up with a world moving at a million miles per hour?
It is understandable if you feel the need to keep up with the news, but simultaneously, you are unsure how. If you’re like me, you’ve taken to posting on social media to stay tuned with current events - and you may have also noticed that the mainstream news does not report everything anyway.
The current news cycle focuses on three things: Trump, COVID-19, and violent protests; meanwhile, there are other things happening in the world - inhumane conditions in camps at the border, peaceful protests, lynchings and murders of people of color, court documents that connect Trump and Jeffery Epstein to a settlement in a rape case against multiple children, etc. - that are not being reported to the general population of viewers.
Between the various happenings that are out of our control - like the pandemic - and feeling overwhelmed and out of touch with news that is impossible to keep up with, it is understandable why people are stressed out. With all of that being said, it is important that we take care of ourselves, especially during a pandemic!
Here are a few things you can do to ensure you are taking care of yourself:
#1: Take a Break from Media Consumption
The first thing I recommend is to put down social media and turn off the news. This does not require an intense hiatus that would lead people to believe you are “off the grid.” Simply limiting the time you spend on media consumption can help you relax and not think about the world.
Something as simple as not checking Facebook or watching the news before you go to bed or as soon as you wake up can make you feel better. A break from the media can allow you time for other, more healthy things. This brings me to my next point.
#2: Dedicate Time to Yourself
You deserve to take time for yourself. Whether it is part of your morning routine when you get ready for the day, or going for a drive by yourself, it is important that you are able to engage in some type of self care.
Contrary to popular belief, healthy self care is not only about bubble baths and skincare routines - although, this works too. The purpose of self care is to check in with yourself to ensure that you are doing okay, which requires you to spend some alone time with yourself.
This can look different for different people. Maybe making time to sit down and read a book is self care for you, while gardening or running is someone else’s form of self care. Consider what you want to do with this time and dedicate it to yourself!
#3: Stay in Touch with Loved Ones
While self care and time alone is important, it is also vital that we stay in touch with our friends and family during times like these. Given the pandemic, it is not as simple as inviting an old friend to dinner on a Friday. However, texting, calling, video chatting, and socially distant visiting with important people in our lives is an effective way of staying in touch with them.
Self-isolation can happen quickly, without us realizing we are doing it to ourselves. For instance, I realized just the other day that I had not talked to a close friend of mine in almost a month, which motivated me to reach out to maintain the connection with her. Certainly, the task of maintaining relationships while experiencing stress can feel daunting, but we can also find joy in connecting with others - and they can too!
#4: Find a Hobby (or a few!)
If you find spare time on your hands during this pandemic, especially for anyone out of work right now, dedicating it to hobbies can be helpful. Maybe your hobbies are crafty - like sewing, knitting, embroidery, or painting - or maybe they are more future-oriented - like making and selling jewelry, or writing a book.
No matter what your hobbies may be, you should dedicate some time to working on things you want to work on. This allows you an outlet for your stress, and it may have the ability to take your mind off of the world around you.
#5: Don’t be Hard on Yourself
This is certainly the most important point here.
Keep in mind that we are all enduring stressful times - for many, it may even be traumatic - so we all need patience with ourselves. If you didn’t eat healthy one day, found yourself drowning in the news all day, or didn’t accomplish anything on your to-do list, don’t feel guilty about it.
As hard as it is to plan for the future right now, we can still look to the days ahead and accomplish tasks we missed, or fix ones we messed up. Just do not blame yourself for the little things that may feel huge right now.
After all, we are living in unprecedented times (a phrase we are all tired of, I’m sure). Have patience with others, and give yourself a little time and credit.
Kindness is so important right now, so show it to loved ones, strangers, and yourself.
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