” Routine is very important for well-being, so … write a list of people and activities that lift your spirits; be sure to prioritize time for connecting with others and doing things you enjoy every day.” — Tania Diggory, founder of Calmer.”
… we can also reconnect with those hobbies and relaxation techniques that don’t require a screen — reading, taking a bath, gardening, listening to music, playing music, journaling, writing, arts and crafts, cooking new recipes, stroking your pet, daydreaming … so much to savor and enjoy.” — Kat Hounsell, founder of everyday people.
“Personally, I’m sticking to what has worked for me in the past when I want to be calm — for example, learning and practicing simple relaxation techniques, like breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, mindfulness [and] meditation [which] can all be very helpful in alleviating mental distress.” — Dr. Hans Kluge
Most of these issues and coping strategies came up in my Coping and Healing online group yesterday, which included one member theorizing that the pandemic was caused by a conspiracy of house cats, who want us to be home more. Several cats were attending the group (including Oscar) and none of the cats denied it.
Do you see any coping strategies in my recent photos?
I think letting go of self-judgment, guilt, shame, and worry are important coping strategies, especially during a pandemic.
For a limited time only, as part of Ailey All Access, you’re getting access to watch Alvin Ailey’s ‘Revelations’ in its in entirety from your own home. We hope this rare opportunity brings you a moment of joy during these uncertain times.
Please share your coping strategies during a pandemic in the comments section, below.
Gratitude is always a coping strategy for me, so thanks to all who help me create this daily blog, including YOU.
One thousand, two hundred, and sixty-three days ago, when it was a different world, I published another blog post with today’s title. Now, more than ever, what the world needs now is love, sweet love.
Yesterday, people participating in the world of my online Coping and Healing groups shared that they enjoyed watching this video of Berklee students — alone but together — performing “What the World Needs Now.”
I really need that video and I need to share my new photos with the world, here and now:
Yesterday, I needed that delicious chicken dish, I needed Michael, I needed a walk outside, I needed the cats, and I needed to figure out how to make my new whiteboard work for my online groups.
What the world needs now is
love, sweet love,
any thoughts and feelings you choose to share in a comment, below. and
gratitude, so thanks to all who are showing love during these difficult times (including YOU).
I have invited many people to realize that they are not alone, in Coping and Healing therapy groups and also here at WordPress.
This week, I’m going to conduct five Coping and Healing groups and each one of us participating will be alone in a room because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I may wear this t-shirt while facilitating a Coping and Healing group this week:
I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone. — Rainer Maria Rilke
I don’t want to be alone, I want to be left alone — Audrey Hepburn
The only real progress lies in learning to be wrong all alone. — Albert Camus
Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work. — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
If it’s true that our species is alone in the universe, then I’d have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. — George Carlin
We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders. — Maya Angelou
When the people you love are gone, you’re alone. — Keanu Reeves
What I’m hearing, whenever somebody asks me what kind of animal I might want to be, is myself answering: “I would want to be a duck, because ducks are comfortable on land, on water, and in the air, they mate for life, and they make extremely silly noises.”
What I’m hearing, these days, are people are having more difficulty hearing because there is so much competing noise out there about what people need to do to be healthy and to survive.
What I’m hearing is that it’s time for me to share my first photo of the day:
What I’m hearing is that I will be able to conduct my Coping and Healing groups using a remote telehealth platform, starting today. What I’m hearing is that several different people will be participating in today’s group.
What I’m hearing is that people are nervous when they do anything new for the first time. Who looks particularly nervous in that photo above? I’m hearing that the duck is a little anxious.
What I’m hearing is that the supply chain of food is okay, for now.
What I’m hearing is that sometimes happy coincidences happen, as you can see from last night’s teabag saying:
I’m hearing that the power of music can help us stay sane during these nutty times.
Here‘s “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” performed by Marvin Gaye, a capella (because we’re all making do without all our usual supports, these days).
What are you hearing, here and now?
I hope you’re not sick of hearing gratitude from me.
… I usually feel fear. Since I’m traveling to New York City tomorrow for a week-long group therapy conference where I’ll be participating in and facilitating groups with many people from all around the world, I’m trying to transform unhelpful fear into helpful caution.
A doctor I know gave me this advice before I left work yesterday:
Wash your hands frequently, use lots of hand sanitizer, and don’t touch anything above your neck.
Don’t touch anything above my neck! How am going to put in my contact lenses?
Everyday I look around, wondering if something terrible is about to happen.
Here’s what today’s Daily Bitch Calendar has to say about that:
Something terrible might include floods …
or technology disasters.
How do we enjoy the good times if something terrible is probably about to happen? Is it possible that knowing that something terrible (like injustice, pain, sickness, and death) is probably about to happen might HELP us enjoy the good times?
In both of my Coping and Healing groups yesterday, people talked about good times AND somethings terrible, which I wrote up on The Board of Importance.
Somebody who had been away from the group for a long time shared that listening to this song on YouTube had helped them get through something terrible:
Good times!
Feel free to share good times, something terrible, or anything else in the comments section, below.
