A Dozen Donuts Delivered – Courtesy of CoVid 19

Here’s a Dozen Donuts –I am delivering virtually due to social distancing!

Joking aside–I want to acknowledge that you have probably come across plenty of similar lists of tips. But here is a condensed list of Dos and Don’ts (Do-nuts) to survive CoVid 19:

1-Stick to a routine but be flexible as you incorporate time for incidentals. Get showered and dressed, wash your face, brush your teeth, ladies, do your make up!  It is amazing how our dress can impact our mood by giving a sense of normalcy. You may have to be firm in asserting time for bed or for work, or ‘alone’ time. It is ok, boundaries are good for everyone. It may seem ok the first couple of weeks to go into summer vacation mode, but this may go on for a bit, so apply wisdom now.

2-Get outside at least once a day, for at least thirty minutes. It is amazing how much fresh air can do for spirits. Many experts are encouraging this and stating the Vit D/sunshine is very helpful during this particular time, in protecting us from and giving a defense against the virus. If you can combine it with moving your body, even better. If not, find a way to get a little exercise. There are tons of (free) resources for that right now, mainly because it is viewed as an important defense against this virus. Look at all of the gyms and health organizations that are offering free access.

3-Stay hydrated and eat well.   This one may seem obvious, but stress and eating often don’t mix well, and we find ourselves over-indulging, forgetting to eat, and avoiding food, drinking and eating things we have avoided in the past, etc.  Drink plenty of water, eat some good and nutritious foods. Again, these are being suggested as basic defense against this virus or will make your body more able to resist or deal with it.

4-Limit social media and COVID conversation, especially around children.  The information plentiful and is often sensationalized, negatively skewed, and alarmist.  Set a time limit for yourself on how much you consume. Use technology/reminders if you need to.

5-Give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and a wide berth.  A lot of cooped up time can bring out the worst in everyone.  Each person will have moments when they will not be at their best.  Everyone is doing the best they can to make it through this. Expect behavioral issues in children and respond gently.   We are all struggling with disruption in routine, none more than children, who rely on routines constructed by others to make them feel safe and to know what comes next.  Expect increased anxiety, worries and fears, nightmares, difficulty separating or sleeping, testing limits, and meltdowns.

6-Reach out and stay connected with other people to seek and provide support. Don’t forget to do this for your children as well.  Set up virtual playdates with friends daily via FaceTime, Facebook Messenger Kids, Zoom, etc—your kids miss their friends and teachers, too! 

7-Move your focus from the horizon to the field in front of you. What I mean is, shorten your range of worry and concern. Whether that be 5 minutes ahead, a day, or a week at a time—find what feels doable for you. It is much more manageable and realistic because life is so fluid for everyone right now. Just focus on what is right in front of you, one task or activity at a time.

8-Find the positives:

Work on an idea or a project you haven’t had time for 

Clean and organize your home, workspace, etc

Spend more time with your spouse/family/kids/friends-even if you have to do it virtually —like happy hour later today!!

Use this time as a reason to take a moment to pare down your responsibilities and adjust your expectations – you can probably find some things that were filling your time that you either don’t miss doing, or are ok not being done, or don’t need to be done by you.  

Notice the good in the world, the helpers….BE a help to others.  Find ways, big and small, to acknowledge or give help and show kindness

Think about what you can learn from this in big and small ways. What needs to change in ourselves, our homes, perhaps beyond?

9-Give yourself grace, perhaps by lowering expectations. You cannot fail at this—there is no roadmap, no precedent for this, and we are all truly doing the best we can in an impossible situation.  

10-Remind yourself daily that this is temporary

11-If you need help, ASK-reach out if you anything or just need to talk. Sometimes it helps to say out loud what your concerns are and to be heard.

12-Remember, we are all in this together, no one is immune!