Managing the stress of Self-Isolation/Social Distancing

…by Terry Connell
(original source article here)

I saw this post on Facebook, “It’s only been two hours with my kids, and already this home schooling is driving me crazy! How do teachers do it every day?” It was a cute little joke that will only become more of a self-fulfilling prophecy as the next few weeks play out.

Another friend posted, “I’m not built for this self-isolation. It’s only 3:00 of day one and I’ve already eaten a whole pan of Costco lasagna and finished a bottle of wine.” The comments were all little smile faces and pictures of other people enjoying a drink — again, funny, and entertaining, but eventually not healthy.

Humor is a great tool to get us through difficult times, for sure. But the above posts point to a deeper issue we should all consider. Getting through this crisis will require more than just good hygiene and social distancing. We need to be just as smart and proactive about our mental health.

As a yoga teacher and acupuncturist, I often talk about simple ways clients can reduce their stress at home. These techniques are great and take little time or effort — and you can do them with your kids:

1. Give yourself a media/internet half-hour time-out.

a. Take a walk around the block.

b. Play some music (and dance if you feel like it!).

c. Bake or prepare a meal from scratch.

d. Read a book.

e. Watch comedies and animated films.

2. Breath-work has been proven to help calm the mind and relax the body.

a. Try breathing in for a count of four, out to a count of six or seven. Repeat three times, take a big long breath and start over — breathe in for a count of four, out to a count of six or seven.

- This breathing pattern is especially helpful if you are having trouble falling to sleep.

b. Sit with your eyes closed, breathe in to a count of four, out to a count of four. Repeat three times. Then try to lengthen to a count of five in-and out, then six, seven.

3. Lie down and listen to Anugama

a. He is a German musician with the fantastic half-hour meditative songs. I play him a lot in my acupuncture clinic and when I teach yoga. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwLITppeTus).

4. Acu-pressure can be VERY effective.

a. Gently massage the “web” between your thumb and first fingers.

b. Massage your feet — especially under the first and second toe.

c. Apply light pressure with your thumbs along the base of the skull and the neck.

Terry Connell is a licensed acupuncturist, yoga instructor and author living in Washington, D.C. You can learn more about his work at www.terryconnell.net.

Connell’s books are available through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ATerry+Connell&s=relevancerank&text=Terry+Connell&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1