How To Enjoy Being At Home (COVID-19)

Most, if not all, of us are practicing #socialdistancing by now, and many of us have been in our homes for weeks. Even as a primarily introverted person, I find myself feeling “cooped up” and longing to get out and see friends, visit stores, etc. Today, I’d like to share some tips to promote your mental health and to help you enjoy being home as we work together to #flattenthecurve and protect our vulnerable populations. 

1. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. I’m finding that boundaries are more important than ever before, as we are confined in our homes with family members, our devices, the pantry and fridge, etc. With all of this time on our hands, it can be easy to distract ourselves even more with things like social media and emotional eating. Find some time today to take inventory of your habits. Do you need to set a boundary with a family member? Do you need to create boundaries around how many times you let yourself scroll Instagram? What about your eating habits? Are you eating to satisfy hunger and for healthy enjoyment, or are you using food to fill emotional needs or to kill time? 
2. Be a peaceMAKER, not a peaceKEEPER. A very wise woman once explained to me the difference between a peaceMAKER and a peaceKEEPER. A peacekeeper is only concerned with covering up problems so that it can seem like everything is great. A peacemaker is someone who isn’t afraid to talk about the elephant in the room, so to speak, and is willing to work through underlying issues that are causing conflict and dysfunction. Is there any chaos within your home and family system? How can these issues be resolved? A peaceful home is so valuable - especially during these times!
3. Look for beauty. It is so easy to miss the beauty in and around our homes when we are so used to seeing our surroundings every day. As I sit here, it’s easy for me to miss the way the sunlight shines through my window, the trees swaying in the gentle breeze, the spring blooms, and the peaceful quiet of my living room. Each of these things are lovely in their own way, and if I don’t look closely, I’ll miss them. What beauty do you see around you? In your home? Out your window? In your children? We get to choose what holds our attention and focus - take advantage of this gift!
4. Create something. Whether it’s cooking, painting, journaling, finishing a house project, dancing, or even painting your toenails, creative expression has been shown to improve mental and physical health. Don’t feel like you are very creative? Chances are that you are more creative than you think! Close your eyes and imagine being your 10-year-old self again - what creative activities did you enjoy? Why not pick up where you left off all of those years ago?
5. Finally, be kind. Be kind to yourself and your family members who are quarantined at home with you. Everyone gets frustrated, and it’s totally normal to have family conflict, especially given our increased amounts of “together time”. Instead of choosing to yell, argue, ignore, and shame, choose peaceful conflict resolution. A gentle tone and a bit of empathy can go a long way! Next time your feelings are hurt by a family member, take a moment (and a breath!) before you react. In your head, identify what you are feeling and why you feel that way. Then address the family member with an “I statement” - “I felt ________, when you _________.” Listen attentively and ask for clarification when needed. Take deep breaths and keep your body relaxed.

Remember, we are all in this together! Even though there is physical distance between us, we can still choose togetherness. Are you struggling to find peace and purpose during this time? Do you feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety? Whatever your struggle may be, know that you have a resource in Bethel Haven. Our counselors are trained to offer TeleMental Health (see previous post), and we can provide counseling right to you wherever you are. Give us a call if this seems like a good fit for you! 706-310-9046