Even if we manage to maintain our physical health during this global pandemic, it may be impossible to avoid the mental and emotional distress caused by COVID-19.
We are facing situations that we’ve never imagined. We’re being asked to isolate ourselves, remove ourselves from the very spaces that bring us joy and a sense of connection. Work is different, home is different, recreation is different. Most of us didn’t come into these circumstances with the mental fortitude to manage such drastic change with no foreseeable end to the turmoil.
This is a time of significant distress, and we’re being expected to deal with it without some of our favorite (and most effective) coping strategies. No socializing! No going out to eat or grabbing drinks with friends! Shopping? Not at Nike or the Apple Store. Your gym closed. Your spa appointment got canceled. Your favorite sporting events are no longer happening. The world is upside down!
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“If you want to use this COVID19 quarantine time as an opportunity to gain some valuable skills… you can build an incredible ability to relax, even in the face of a global crisis.”
You’ve got a lot more time to sit with your own thoughts and feelings. At a time like this, that can be scary. However, if you want to use this COVID19 quarantine time as an opportunity to gain some valuable skills, following the outline below will help build an incredible ability to relax… even in the face of a global crisis.
We can’t just snap our fingers and be more mentally and emotionally fit, so we need to dive in and start cultivating our relaxation SKILLS. The best place to start is with guided relaxation exercises. That may sound simple, but there are literally thousands of guided relaxation exercises available online. Some are definitely better than others. Some will sound like nails on a chalkboard. It will take you some time to find one that fits your personal needs and preferences.
Just follow these steps and you’ll be feeling calmer in no time.
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Find a guided relaxation exercise that you’re willing to do on a regular basis.
Find a voice that you like (man vs. woman, accent vs. no accent). Pay attention to the music or lack of music. It may take 30 minutes or more to find an exercise that works for you – be patient, and keep looking until you find something that you can stick with. -
Keep your expectations realistic.
Practicing the skill of relaxation in an intentional way can be a challenge. There may be moments of discomfort. You may doubt the benefits in the short term. Just like any other new skill we’re trying to master, relaxation can be awkward at first. Over time, with consistent practice, your skill will improve. -
Initially, practice for no more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
Remember, consistency is the most important factor. If you need to modify your goals, reduce the time of the exercise rather than frequency. Two minutes, five times per week, is better than ten minutes once per week. -
Understand that different exercises focus on different aspects of de-escalation.
Try out a variety to see which works best for you. Try any of the examples offered on my website, Infinite North. Use the following categories to explore on your own.
Mindfulness – Start by taking a quick read of another blog I’ve written on this, “Beyond Mindfulness”. These exercises focus on controlling attention, non judgmentally, in the present moment. Headspace is a great comprehensive app for mindfulness.
Autogenic Relaxation – These exercises focus on the transition to a sense of warm, heavy calmness throughout your body.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation – This is a slightly more active exercise focused on practicing tensing and relaxing major muscle groups.
Controlled Breathing or Diaphragmatic Breathing – These exercises simply focus on the breath, helping to increase awareness and support healthy regulation of our breathing patterns.
Guided Visualization or Guided Imagery – These exercises create relaxing mental escapes that we can retreat to whenever we need a break from reality (or just from our stressful thoughts).
Loving-kindness – These exercises focus on building a sense of compassion and connection. Find more ideas on this in another blog I’ve written, called “Why I tell everyone ‘You Are Awesome’”.
And last but not least… take a watch!
Acceptance, more acceptance, plus some proactive and intentional goal setting will help us get through this crisis without self-destructing.
ABOUT DR. MATTHEW POINSETT
Dr. Matthew Poinsett is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who is dedicated to the scientific nature of human behavior throughout his education and continues to be committed to the lifelong process of learning and growing. His practice, Infinite North, offers psychotherapeutic services and professional development training, which are built on the science of behavior change, wellbeing and optimal performance.
Dr. Poinsett practices in Poulsbo, and leverages Vibe Coworks for workshops and events, including Mindfulness for Beginners and Nutrition for Mental Health.