It has been an extremely difficult summer due to the coronavirus crisis. We are all stressed more than usual with wearing masks, washing our hands, social distancing, and worrying about getting the virus ourselves, or finding someone we love has it. So far, my family and I have been spared, but I am seeing the effects long-term stress has on me, and I find I’m having to work harder than ever to stay healthy.
In times like this, even simple daily tasks can feel heavier. A trip to the store can take more planning. A visit with family can bring worry instead of comfort. News, changes in routine, and constant reminders about the virus can wear a person down. When stress stays high for a long time, the body and mind both feel it. Sleep can get worse. Patience can wear thin. It can be harder to focus. That is why it matters so much to notice how you are doing and not just push through every day without a break.
In retrospect, it seems like the past few years have been harder than ever. Maybe that’s a part of getting older, I’m not sure, but I know that living with a disability makes life in these uncertain days ever harder to manage. I have to really focus on employing those coping mechanisms I’ve developed over the years to manage my PTSD. This is truly the time when we need to stop and smell the roses. We need to take excellent care of ourselves! It’s the time when I need to remember to use my visualization, breathing exercises, calming music, and anything else I can find to maintain my sanity!
That advice may sound simple, but simple does not mean easy. When life is already hard, it can be difficult to remember the tools that help. Coping skills often work best when we use them before we are overwhelmed. A short breathing break can help calm the body. Listening to calming music can help shift the mood. Visualization can give the mind a safe place to rest for a few minutes. These are not magic fixes, but they can help a person get through a rough hour, a rough day, or a rough week.
For me, “stop and smell the roses” means more than taking a walk. It means slowing down on purpose. It means letting myself notice something peaceful, even if only for a moment. A rose, a warm drink, fresh air, a quiet room, or a favorite song can all be small reminders that not everything is crisis. During a season like this, those small moments matter. They can help us keep going.
There are practical ways to build those moments into the day. A few examples include:
- Take slow breaths before checking the news or messages.
- Set a time to eat meals so the day has some order.
- Go to bed at about the same time each night.
- Move your body every day, even if it is only a short walk or gentle stretching.
- Keep a list of the coping skills that work best for you.
- Ask for help when you need it instead of waiting until you are exhausted.
It can also help to make a plan for hard moments. For example, if a person knows that evenings are the worst time for stress, they can choose a calming routine ahead of time. That might mean low lights, quiet music, a cup of tea, or sitting in a favorite chair. If a phone call or appointment usually brings worry, it may help to write down questions first. If you know certain topics raise your stress, it is okay to limit them when you need to.
COVID-19 has made life just that much more stressful than it used to be. For those of us coping with PTSD, it was stressful enough before coronavirus ever showed up. Please, take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, exercise every day, and use those coping mechanisms you know work for you to stay mentally healthy. Stay safe; we will overcome this eventually.
Those basic steps may not solve everything, but they matter. Eating right can help steady your energy. Sleep gives the body a chance to recover. Exercise can help release stress and improve mood. Even a small amount of movement can make a difference. If you live with PTSD or another mental health challenge, it can be especially important to keep up these habits, because stress can build faster than you expect.
It is also important to give yourself grace. Some days will go better than others. Some days you may use every coping skill you know and still feel worn out. That does not mean you failed. It means you are human, and you are living through a very hard time. If all you can do is get through the day safely, that still counts. If you can take one small step toward calming yourself, that is good work too.
If you are struggling to find support, Disability Network Lakeshore can help. Our services are free. We are a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving people with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties, Michigan. We help people work through disability-related barriers and connect with resources. Sometimes that can mean information and referral, peer support, or help thinking through a problem. You do not have to figure everything out alone.
As this difficult season continues, I hope each of us can remember to pause and breathe. I hope we can notice the small things that bring comfort. I hope we can be gentle with ourselves and with one another. These are uncertain days, but taking care of ourselves is still worth the effort. We may not be able to control the crisis around us, but we can still choose some of the steps that help us stay steady. That is part of how we keep going.
If you need support, please call Disability Network Lakeshore at (616) 396-5326. We are located at 442 Century Lane, Holland, MI 49423.