Coping during COVID

Right now more than ever, we need to be compassionate with ourselves. We need to understand that this is a great time of uncertainty, changes, and challenges. During this pandemic, we can get caught up in anxiety, stress, and frustration.

So as a gentle reminder, let us remember to be compassionate with ourselves. Remember that:

1) No one is perfect

2) Struggles and challenges - and even mistakes - do not define us

3) We are not valuable or loved because of our appearances or accomplishments. While looking 'good' and being successful are important, we are worthy regardless of these

4) Being gentle and kind to ourselves means understanding that we are enough. But it also means that we can always grow and improve

As we practice compassion to ourselves, it is helpful to have some coping statements to keep us focused on our values, goals, and dreams. There are different coping statements you can repeat at various times in your life. You can even make your own!

Now, let's be real: sometimes you can say a statement to yourself - and it won't 'make anything better'. You might not even believe what you are telling yourself! If this happens, why should you use the phrases at all?

Well, the reality is that the more you repeat or tell yourself something, the more you will believe it. The brain is very adaptive. Your mind will learn what you tell it. So, if you repeat negative thoughts all day, you will begin to believe them. Similarly, if you repeat coping phrases, you'll internalize them as well!

I encourage you to either search for coping statements, or think of your own. Repeat them to yourself, and reflect on what you are actually saying. For example, one of my favourite statements is 'you can do hard things'. To me, this means that regardless of what challenges I may face, I will get through them. I will survive. I may have to work hard for it, and it might be painful, worrisome, uncomfortable, or even distressing and frustrating. But I CAN DO IT. 

During the COVID pandemic, please take care of yourselves. Follow the rules and recommendations around self-isolation, hand hygiene, and social distancing. 

And of course, practice self-compassion. Get up, get dressed, and do your work. Eat, sleep, exercise, play, work, and relax. Stay in contact with loved ones using virtual means. Pray to God. Use this time as a gift. Although it is stressful and different for all of us, we will get through this time. We can decide to use the pandemic as a reminder to come back to God, to break certain habits, to learn new things, and to remember what is truly important in our lives.
 

Let’s count our blessings. Let’s choose to make today worth living. Let’s be kind – to others, and to ourselves.

Please, stay safe. And pray for the world during COVID.

‘I can’t. But HE CAN’.