Thank you to YPAL for hosting this Instagram live interview and for all that you do for Louisville’s young professional community.
Question is: How do you maintain a self-care routine or keep that top of mind when you are so worried about your job, the economy and your loved ones?
First thing. Breathe. Take a deep breath. Or Maybe multiple. This is something I have to do multiple times a day. Though it sounds elementary, intentional deep breathing has mounds of research behind it to support how effective it is in calming the body and mind. (demonstrate and show them how)
So, after that I remind myself that the one constant in life is change. Just how our lives have changed so much due to physical distancing and the shutdowns, our self-care routines are also going to shift because of that or shift day to day just as they did before COVID-19.
Something that is super important to understand during these odd times is that it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay that you aren’t eating healthy, running every day, renovating your house and getting all your work/school assignments complete at the same speed as before.
Send your body and mind some grace and love during this crisis. Remember that a lot of your brain space is being taken up by COVID-19 and the transitions we have had to endure, so naturally it is going to slow or take over some of the other functions.
Though I said before that self-care isn’t a crisis management tool, that doesn’t mean that it cannot help in a crisis. It just may not have the same affects as it would of if you were conditioning that muscle before the crisis.
So, start conditioning that muscle now and make sure you are keeping those realistic expectations at the forefront of your brain during these times. Deep breathing, socializing, or other self-care strategies are not going to bring you back down to your “normal” baseline, but maybe they will help ease or lower your heart rate or allow you time to pause and reflect.
We are in the middle of a pandemic, so it would be quite weird if you were feeling “normal” and “in control” and “sturdy”
Written by: Shannon Gonter, LPCC
Shannon Gonter, Professional Counseling in Louisville, KY
I specialize in working with men and young adults. I am passionate about my career and want to work with you to create positive change. I also strive to create a counseling environment where men and young adults can relate, feel heard, and find new solutions to their negative patterns. Some issues that I most commonly work with are stress, relationship issues, difficulty saying “no” to others, difficulties recognizing emotions and emotionally connecting to others, anger, and intimacy issues, among others.
The information and resources contained on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health disease or condition. The use of this website does not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. Furthermore, the information obtained from this site should not be considered a substitute for a thorough medical and/or mental health evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.