Five Emotional Fitness Tips for the COVID-19 Crisis

By now you’ve probably received upwards of 150 emails about how to wash your hands properly and maintain your physical health during this COVID-19 crisis. But what about our mental and emotional health?

Here are 5 tips for practicing good emotional fitness during these uncertain times:

1. Practice physical, but not emotional, social distancing.

We’re all taking space physically to keep ourselves and each other healthy, but this isolation means we need emotional connection more than ever. Loneliness is bad for our minds and bodies, and this kind of isolation can affect even the sturdiest of introverts. Schedule virtual dates with friends and family, start remote meetings with a game, ask your therapist if they’ll meet virtually, sext with your partner, Facetime a friend while you watch your favorite show. Invest in connection.

2. Prepare for the future with action, but stay present with emotion.

It makes sense to stock up on some frozen food and to figure out what you’re going to do about your event two months from now. Preparing is good. But emotionally, it’s not helpful to spend time worrying now about things that you have no control over, and that may or may not happen later. Feel your feels, of course, but don’t suffer future pain. If you find yourself spinning, bring yourself back to what’s true right now, and trust that your future self will be equipped to handle future problems.

3. Check in with yourself regularly: is staying informed helping or hurting your emotional health?

The internet is a shitstorm right now of real information, false information, panic, and opinion. Of course we want to stay updated on what’s going on, but if the onslaught of info is making you more anxious instead of less anxious, it’s time to take a break. It’s ok to delete Twitter off your phone.

4. Treat both your body and your mind with extra compassion.

Could this be the most productive week of your life? Maybe, if this is the kind of situation that gets you moving. But for many of us, this might be a time when we need to slow down a bit. Mental and physical health are extremely connected, so instead of consuming more social media or trying to finish every project you’ve ever started, do some yoga from your living room, cook or bake something for yourself, Netflix and chill, meditate, drink water, have a virtual dance party in your living room. Take care of yourself.

5. Look out for each other.

It’s easy, during times like this, to feel like you have to strap on armor and protect yourself. The death-match fights over toilet paper that we’re seeing is a great example. But now is actually the time to double down on community. You can honor your own fear and look out for others at the same time. Be extra nice to the people who are still going to work so that you can buy food and get to where you’re going. Don’t buy more of things than you actually need. Tip generously if you can. Buy gift certificates to small businesses to help them weather the storm. Reach out for support if you need it. We’re all in this together.

Need some support? Head over to joincoa.com.

We’re holding virtual discussion groups and connection parties, and can help you find a therapist. Stay healthy, friends.

Written by Dr. Emily Anhalt, Co-founder, Coa