Preparing for another Shelter in Place Order

By David Shepard

The last nine months have been quite an adjustment for everyone around the world. Forced isolation, worries about getting Coronavirus, increased depression and anxiety, job loss and death are among the numerous things we have had to deal with during this global pandemic. As California begins another Shelter in Place Order, it is important to reflect on how you can take care of yourself, so that you can go through this quarantine in a way that is healthy and beneficial for you.

Our bodies are a collection of systems that all work together to keep us functioning

Our bodies are a collection of systems that all work together to keep us functioning. If there is a problem with one system, it disrupts the whole system. So when looking at how you want to take care of yourself during the Shelter in Place Orders, you have to focus on both your physical system and your mental system.

Things that are important for your physical system to function well are

  • to be mindful of what put in your body

  • how you use your body

  • listening to your body

  • and caring for your body

Some examples of caring for you physical system include

  • getting eight hours of sleep every night

  • eating foods low in sugar, fat, and sodium

  • drinking eight glasses of water

  • and doing at least twenty minutes of physical exercise daily

Things that are important for your mental system include

  • doing things you enjoy

  • being present during daily activities

  • connecting with people you care about

  • setting and achieving goals

  • having compassion for yourself and others

  • and allowing yourself to experience both positive and negative emotions as they come

Some examples of caring for your mental system are

  • walking around a park with a loved one

  • practicing deep breathing exercises when you feel anxious

  • remembering that things are temporary when feeling discouraged

  • journaling when you’re over thinking

  • drawing when you feel sad

  • or taking a warm bath with music when you’re feeling stressed

Doing things that nurture both your physical and mental systems are the key to adjusting to another Shelter in Place Order.

If you are interested in getting support on how to stay happy and healthy during this second Shelter in Place Order, please contact us at Therapynowsf for your free consultation.

Andrea Zorbas