We are in uncharted waters with the COVID-19 virus. As I look around at the stores low on supplies, people stocking up resources, it seems there’s a sense of panic running through our society. There are many articles and news stories about the precautions to take in oder to keep as many people as healthy as possible, I’m sure you’ve heard something. Wash your hand, keep your hands away from your face, spend at little time in public places as possible. On one level we are being told to isolate. Isolation, or social distancing, can feel scary, panicky. How are we supposed to continue with life when we aren’t allowed to function as we have before? There are likely many questions running through your mind. How am I going to keep making money when work shuts down, when kids aren’t in school? What if we have to stay home for several weeks and run out of supplies? And the biggest question that no one really knows; How long will this uncertainty last?

Living in the unknown is extremely challenging, which is why it is important to continue to care for your mental wellbeing. If you were already living with anxiety about your own life it’s likely the the response to the COVID-19 virus from our society has increased anxiety in you. I have watched as my own anxiety has increased. I know I am not the only one currently wondering what life will be like and if what I’m doing are the best steps. Anxiety is so much about feeling out of control and wanting control to feel safe. If you can acknowledge there are many things you cannot control and somethings you can control that can help you know where you have power. One thing I know is, when we are caught in a survival response it can be extremely challenging to know what we have control over. Therefore, I have created the below video to guide you through the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 grounding exercise. This technique can support you in becoming present to your surrounding world, which can help bring you from your survival brain into your thinking brain. Being in your thinking brain will allow you greater capacity to confront this challenge with creativity. Watch the video and practice grounding.

The steps of the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

  • Name 5 things you see.
  • Touch/feel 4 things.
  • Listen for 3 things you can hear.
  • Smell 2 things.
  • Taste 1 thing.

Reach out for additional support. You do not have to go through this alone. I offer online therapy.