Self-Care in the Era of COVID-19
Working as a psychologist in a community clinic has been a strange world lately. I am still going into my office, and we have continued to provide services via telephone and video conferencing. Even though there is the normalcy of going back and forth between home and work, it feels anything but normal. The very essence of my job is spending my days with people, connecting, and conversing. While I am still, of course, connecting with my clients, sitting in my office alone is not the same. I tend to thrive on social connection, and so spending the majority of my time in my office alone has led to a bit of cabin fever.
To manage this for myself, I’ve started going for walks (safely social distancing) over my lunch break. I spend the time chatting on the phone with a loved one or listening to a podcast or audiobook. Although it is still a solitary activity, it helps me to ground myself by moving my body, appreciating the sun and disconnecting from the four walls for a little while. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be outside, in the open fresh air, with gorgeous scenery to take in.
Remember, even in these trying times, there are choices you can make to take care of your body, mind, and heart. Take those opportunities to refuel, mend and return to yourself.Working as a psychologist in a community clinic has been a strange world lately. I am still going into my office, and we have continued to provide services via telephone and video conferencing. Even though there is the normalcy of going back and forth between home and work, it feels anything but normal. The very essence of my job is spending my days with people, connecting, and conversing. While I am still, of course, connecting with my clients, sitting in my office alone is not the same. I tend to thrive on social connection, and so spending the majority of my time in my office alone has led to a bit of cabin fever.
To manage this for myself, I’ve started going for walks (safely social distancing) over my lunch break. I spend the time chatting on the phone with a loved one or listening to a podcast or audiobook. Although it is still a solitary activity, it helps me to ground myself by moving my body, appreciating the sun and disconnecting from the four walls for a little while. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be outside, in the open fresh air, with gorgeous scenery to take in.
Remember, even in these trying times, there are choices you can make to take care of your body, mind, and heart. Take those opportunities to refuel, mend and return to yourself.
April 28, 2020