While Californians are encouraged to Stay Safe and Stay Home, I will be offering all services remotely. At such time as it is deemed safe to return to in person services, I will be offering a hybrid of in person and remote services in San Francisco, CA and West Sonoma County, CA, with office locations to be determined at that time. During the duration of Stay Safe at Home guidelines, I will be accepting new patients. Please call, email, or use the form on the Location & Contact page inquire about my current availability.
Seven Sanity Savers while Staying Safer at Home--the following are suggestions for easing the stresses of Covid-19 at home life.
#1 Do all you can to avoid "Blob World"
Blob world is when day, night, work, play, and news/social media checking all start to blur, and you can't tell where, when, how, or maybe even who you are.
To combat Blob World:
#2 Move your body!
Exercise is key right now. It releases endorphins, helps circulate your blood, and gives you a new focus in the immediate term. Go outside if you can. The shelter in place orders many of us are under allow for outside exercise, as long as we follow social distancing guidelines. If you can't go out, try working out at home, either on your own, or with an online exercise class.
#3 Be gentle with yourself
Offer yourself some compassion. We are all working so hard right now to feel like things are normal. But, guess what? Nothing is normal about any of this. Allowing yourself to know this isn't normal, while also knowing that you are doing your best, is a great way to make it through the massive changes happening at nearly every turn. Also, if you don't give yourself a break, who will?
#4 Give yourself some alone time everyday
We all love our spouses, children, roommates, parents, pets, etc. That being said, we never signed on to be with them 24/7 for an indefinite amount of time. Even if it is just 5 minutes, take it for yourself. Meditate, take a walk, or find an empty room to inhabit for a few minutes. Use the time to check in with yourself and remind yourself you are doing ok (see #3). Returning to yourself like this everyday is a good way to help yourself know that you can be grounded and calm, and that's a wonderful place from which to start anything.
#5 Help someone else when you can, & accept help you when you need it.
Remember those "take a penny/leave a penny cups" by cash registers in convenience stores? Same idea here, but with support instead of coins. Lend support when you have it to spare, and take support when you are running low. This one has an amazing multiplying power. Sharing your gifts with those around you makes hearts grow exponentially, leading to more sharing and growing hearts.
#6 Drink some water! Maybe this is self explanatory, but taking simple steps to keep our physical bodies running is important in times of strife. Keeping yourself hydrated is a key way to help things run smoothly both internally and externally. In this same vein, try to limit consumption of "junk foods" and substances like alcohol or other drugs. Keeping a balanced internal body does wonders for feeling balanced in the world.
#7 Pace your race.
The CoronaVirus pandemic is turning out to be a marathon instead of a sprint. Give yourself permission to keep some fuel for the finish line. This might include lowering your expectations of self and others. It might feel funny at first, but you'll be glad to have gas in the tank as we get deeper into this process.
Seven Sanity Savers while Staying Safer at Home--the following are suggestions for easing the stresses of Covid-19 at home life.
#1 Do all you can to avoid "Blob World"
Blob world is when day, night, work, play, and news/social media checking all start to blur, and you can't tell where, when, how, or maybe even who you are.
To combat Blob World:
- Make a schedule and try to stick to it.
- Change out of your PJs before starting to work from home.
- If possible, set up an office space for yourself (don't work from bed!).
- Try to stick to your normal routine, ie work hours, exercise schedule, etc.
- Limit your news and social media input, perhaps even scheduling times you take in this type of information.
#2 Move your body!
Exercise is key right now. It releases endorphins, helps circulate your blood, and gives you a new focus in the immediate term. Go outside if you can. The shelter in place orders many of us are under allow for outside exercise, as long as we follow social distancing guidelines. If you can't go out, try working out at home, either on your own, or with an online exercise class.
#3 Be gentle with yourself
Offer yourself some compassion. We are all working so hard right now to feel like things are normal. But, guess what? Nothing is normal about any of this. Allowing yourself to know this isn't normal, while also knowing that you are doing your best, is a great way to make it through the massive changes happening at nearly every turn. Also, if you don't give yourself a break, who will?
#4 Give yourself some alone time everyday
We all love our spouses, children, roommates, parents, pets, etc. That being said, we never signed on to be with them 24/7 for an indefinite amount of time. Even if it is just 5 minutes, take it for yourself. Meditate, take a walk, or find an empty room to inhabit for a few minutes. Use the time to check in with yourself and remind yourself you are doing ok (see #3). Returning to yourself like this everyday is a good way to help yourself know that you can be grounded and calm, and that's a wonderful place from which to start anything.
#5 Help someone else when you can, & accept help you when you need it.
Remember those "take a penny/leave a penny cups" by cash registers in convenience stores? Same idea here, but with support instead of coins. Lend support when you have it to spare, and take support when you are running low. This one has an amazing multiplying power. Sharing your gifts with those around you makes hearts grow exponentially, leading to more sharing and growing hearts.
#6 Drink some water! Maybe this is self explanatory, but taking simple steps to keep our physical bodies running is important in times of strife. Keeping yourself hydrated is a key way to help things run smoothly both internally and externally. In this same vein, try to limit consumption of "junk foods" and substances like alcohol or other drugs. Keeping a balanced internal body does wonders for feeling balanced in the world.
#7 Pace your race.
The CoronaVirus pandemic is turning out to be a marathon instead of a sprint. Give yourself permission to keep some fuel for the finish line. This might include lowering your expectations of self and others. It might feel funny at first, but you'll be glad to have gas in the tank as we get deeper into this process.
Tori Branch, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist PSY 25573
San Francisco, CA
West Sonoma County, CA
phone: 415-375-0763
email: toribranch@gmail.com
San Francisco, CA
West Sonoma County, CA
phone: 415-375-0763
email: toribranch@gmail.com
