Communication & Coping At Home

In this challenging time, whether you are alone, or stuck together with loved ones, there is one thing we are always in control of-our mindset. In working with my coaching and hypnotherapy clients, I see both sides of the coin. Either people think, “there’s nothing I can do,” or they think “there’s so much more I can do” right now. So, what camp are you attending this Summer? Do you want to attend the camp where you are sitting in your bunk alone and miserable, or the one where you are making crafts for your parents, making new friends, and enjoying the outdoors? I don’t really think of it as a glass half full or half empty equation, but more of a way to look at the glass as able to be filled. And my clients who have this productive mindset are the ones who are coping the best with unchartered waters.

When you look at these unprecedented times as a learning experience, then whenever the next challenge in life happens, you’ll be better prepared and able to draw from what you learn now. It’s so easy in staying at home to slip into the not so healthy habits-drinking, Netflix, ice cream-and just exist rather than being productive and preparing for the next phase of life after Covid, whatever that may look like. 

Here are some tips for making this time more useful to you now, as well as in the future. First, define a schedule for yourself. Maintaining a regular schedule will help regulate your sleep routine, which helps keep up your energy, focus and overall health. It also helps you develop or maintain those habits that are otherwise easy to let go of, such as exercising. Next, learn a new skill or develop a current interest. Choosing to spend time on a hobby that you either haven’t otherwise had time for, or that you have always been intrigued by but never acted on, can keep you positive, goal-oriented, and forward-focused. It will help you have a sense of accomplishment, keep your mind active, and give you a purpose in your free time. Third, set a goal to give yourself a challenge. This can be either in your personal or professional life, either way, works. Giving yourself small wins by setting benchmark goals leading up to your long term goal will create that extra boost of confidence that is so helpful in keeping you positive so that everything that is going on around you can be put into perspective as short term. Have a vision for what you want your life to look like after the pandemic, asking yourself each day, “Is what I’m doing now going to get me closer to my goals and improve my life?”

Another issue when trying to cope with being at home is communicating with those around you. Remember that they are going through a challenging time as well, so have empathy and compassion for them in addition to yourself. Small annoyances that were no big deal when we only spent a few hours together in the evening after work and on weekends can turn into major issues when we are together all the time. Make sure that everyone in your home has their own designated space where they can go to be alone, and respect each other’s boundaries when they retreat there. When you’re making that schedule I mentioned before, make sure to detail out alone time as well as fun, de-stressing activities you can do together. Burn off that anxious energy with a balance of physical movement, and participate in calm, soothing activities as well to get more centered and grounded. 

So many of us are navigating unchartered waters with an upheaval of our own schedules and our family’s schedule as well. Whether it’s growing children, aging parents, or both, everyone in your household or that you have close ties to outside your home is in this together. That is an especially important thing to remember when trying to communicate better with them and cope with the pandemic. In this unique situation where even though we physically have to be further apart, people around the world have never been closer in terms of going through the same thing at the same time. So give yourself and others around you grace, and use this time in your life as an opportunity to learn, grow and come out of this stronger and better than ever before.

If you are in need of additional support with coping with all the challenges right now, or in communicating better with the ones you love, please feel free to reach out for assistance.