Staying Well in the Time of Social Distancing Part II

At TriWellness we are passionate about the mind, body, and soul connection. Social distancing can impact our minds in that the media that we are consuming can be anxiety provoking and confusing. It can also impact our bodies in the lack of movement we may be engaging in due to self-quarantine. Our spirit can be affected by the constant bombardment of negative emotions and thoughts without having the ability to do something with these thoughts and emotions.

Mind

Anxiety can often be exacerbated by the fear and uncertainty of the future. My clients often find relief by grounding themselves in the present moment through utilizing the following senses:

  1. Sight
  2. Smell
  3. Hearing
  4. Touch
  5. Taste

For example, I find solace in having a nice cup of hot tea, feeling the warmth in may hands, smelling the leaves and spices in the steam, and looking out the window in my kitchen (tasting the tea, feeling the warmth of my tea cup, smelling the tea, and looking out the window).

The focus is in the present moment as that is what is in our control while utilizing activities that are calming or bring joy.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the ‘present‘.

Quote from Kung Fu Panda

Body

Some individuals may be unable to leave their homes and engage in activities outside. Practicing yoga can be beneficial in reducing stress as it promotes the unity between breath and movement creating a sense of tranquility and feeling centered. Having calm and deep breaths bring oxygen to the brain and encourages clear thinking.

A simple yoga routine to reduce anxiety and utilizes equipment that you can find around your house

Spirit

Finding peace within oneself can be difficult in a time like this. However, taking a moment to practice meditation or guided imagery can bring oneself inwards. I often recommend these practices to my own clients, who note calming their anxiety provoking thoughts. I have personally and professionally utilized these apps and found them to be particularly helpful:

  1. Meditation Studio
  2. Insight Timer
  3. Headspace
  4. Calm
  5. Stop, Breathe, Think
  6. Simple Habit

Please check our blog everyday, as we will be providing resources to promote wellness in the time of social distancing in this week-long Wellness Series.

To learn more about skills for staying well or to schedule an appointment with a clinician please visit our Contact Us page or call the office.


This article was written by Aarti S. Felder, MA, LCPC, to learn more about her you can find her bio here.

Staying Well in the Time of Social Distancing

A Wellness series part I

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) the COVID-19 has been spreading in an exponential manner and has urged action amongst the communities in Illinois to reduce the communal spread by following the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to protect you and your community:

  1. Make sure your hands are clean by washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds or sanitizing your hands with hand sanitizer containing a minimum of 60% alcohol when soap and water is not readily available.
  2. Social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet between you and others. This is especially important to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in your community and to protect individuals who are at high risk.
  3. Stay home if you are feeling ill.
  4. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, then dispose of used tissues in the proper receptacle. Wash your hands afterwards using the aforementioned procedures.
  5. Clean and disinfect surfaces.

Social distancing can feel particularly difficult and can cause anxiety and stress, an article from the CDC describes some ways to manage stress here. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago, I and the TriWellness team are here to support our community. We offer HIPPA-compliant Telehealth services to assist individuals in Illinois navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic at the safety of their homes.

Please check our blog everyday, as we will be providing resources to promote wellness in the time of social distancing in this week-long Wellness Series.

This post was written by Aarti S. Felder, MA, LCPC. To learn more about Aarti please visit Meet our Team page. To learn more about our services please visit Counseling Services page.