As we all navigate through this very uncertain time, the Counsellors of Channel of Peace Counselling Association want to share some helpful tips to help support you during a time of high stress. Many individuals and families will be struggling with increased anxiety, depression, substance, physical abuse and more as a result of self-isolation during Covid-19. While we are built with the capacity to handle stress, if we spend too much time in stress mode, it will wear us down causing more uncertainty along with emotional and physical illness, making us more vulnerable. Self-care will be even more important now than ever before in order to take care of your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Here are some helpful self-care tips:
Connect with others virtually – you don’t have to be alone during this pandemic. As you practice smart self-isolation, be sure to prevent social isolation. Other people will give us insight, bring us joy and help us with our blind spots so that we can navigate our circumstances as well as possible.
Take a walk around your block – breathe in some fresh air, take in the beauty of nature and feed your body with exercise and vitamin D, which will help to increase your dopamine and serotonin levels.
Choose whole foods, fruits and vegetables – we really are what we eat. Good nutrition will not only feed your body with nourishment, but will also help to balance moods and emotions, while offering energy to help achieve your daily goals.
Get a good night’s sleep as much as possible – a solid sleep will help reduce your brain’s reactions to threats and as a result, reduce the anxiety many are experiencing.
Practice mindfulness – paying attention to your thoughts, emotions and physical responses given what’s happening around you, will be vital to helping regulating your emotions, stress and anxiety levels. Practicing, meditation, spirituality, journaling, affirmations, gratitude and self-compassion are some of the many ways to help ground and center you – there are many apps to help guide you in this practices.
Finally, do something you enjoy such as reading, cooking, yard work, cleaning, more time with your kids and pets etc.
Channel of Peace Counselling Association is a non-profit society made up of private practitioners who are rooted in their faith. Our goal is to bring healing and growth to individuals, couples and families who are facing challenging circumstances. We meet you as you are and gently walk with you on your journey. We will be offering complimentary videos via our social media channels over the next several weeks, as well as ecounselling services to support individuals and families during Covid-19 and beyond. Call us today at 902-802-3007 for a free consultation and visit our website for more information www.channelofpeace.ca.
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