COVID-19 Stress Response

Being able to manage your own psychological and emotional wellness during this time is going to be the foundation each day. We are experiencing levels of pressure, limited or lack of control, and social, emotional, and psychological stress. These experiences of stress cause a biochemical reaction in our bodies, starting at the brain, and impacting our entire physical system. It's not all bad. We were built to survive.

Imagine the physical response we would have if a bear ran towards us. For survival, our body would default to a fight, flight, or freeze instinct. This is what has kept humans alive for hundreds and hundreds of years. But what happens when the bear is the loss of a job, the closure of schools, the social isolation, and the pandemic that is affecting us all today.

We respond to the bear by revving our engines and reacting, so imagine what happens to the engine when it is revved for weeks or months at a time. Our bodies were not designed to be able to run from the bear and write our grocery list at the same time. But when we are expected to find a job, work from home, home-school children, manage the social distancing protocol (the list goes on), all the while our engines are revved and we're responding to the bear, making the grocery list doesn't seem quite as simple.

How we manage stress and what we need varies immensely. It is based on our individual needs, our experiences, and our availability to resources. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a few suggestions that you (depending on your individual process) may benefit from trying.

CREATE A ROUTINE:

-This is not meant to be one more thing that brings stress.

-If your child(ren) is/are old enough, involve them in the process of creating a schedule.

-Include movement time, quality time without electronic devices and creative time.

-Set reasonable (age appropriate) expectations around time limits. If it is not reasonable, it may be creating a problem that repeats every day.

SPEND TIME BEING INTENTIONAL:

-Whether it's engaging in 5 minutes of sitting outside, listening to the birds, smelling flowers, or being away from your phone. Pick 2-5 minutes to practice being mindful about your surroundings.

-Try breathing in for 5 seconds, out for 5 seconds, and hold for 5 seconds. Do this for one minute.

-Take breaks, and use those breaks to engage in something meaningful. 

-Eat slowly, and focus on the flavor and smells of your food. 

FOCUS ON PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLNESS:

-If you feel like you're juggling more than you can handle, you probably are, and that's OKAY. You are human. Let yourself be human.

-Identify a smaller number of things you can focus on. For some of us, that may be physical, emotional, and psychological wellness.

-Allow yourself to slow down, and spend time on practicing empathy and kindness. 

Regressions? 

Are you noticing behaviors in your child that you thought were behind you? READ about how nighttime waking, potty accidents, and behavioral regressions can accompany new stress or anxiety, and what parents can do to help. 

Stress and anxiety can affect kids in different ways. Parents may see a spike in frustration, not following rules, or being more clingy. Parents may also see regressions in sleep or "baby-talk" behavior. 

"Kindness, love and compassion is what children need to feel secure." Dr. Tovah Klein

• Give extra support

• Create structure

• Know the signs

• Get moving

• Practice self care

• Stay calm

FULL ARTICLE HERE.