Coping with Cabin Fever Staying Corona-Free

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What an interesting time this is for our community and our world. A time of change, slowing down, and transformation. I’ve been tracking the news on the Coronavirus, as I’m sure you have been too, as well as my emotional state when I read the news. I’ve also found myself having difficulty writing and speaking the words “social distancing” and “social isolation”. Initially, I wasn’t sure why. Then I began to realize that, as a mental health professional, social distancing and social isolation are major contributing factors for increased emotional and mental dis-ease. I reflected on how this terminology inaccurately describes the facts and recommended actions. A much more appropriate term for me is “physical distancing” , which I have since adopted. Horses have much to teach us about physical distance. Within a horse herd (a community of horses) they are constantly having conversations of physical distance through energy and body language yet remaining socially connected. Their survival depends on it. Just look at the image above, these horses are physical distant yet remain socially connected and relaxed!

Amidst this experience and continuing to support my clients through video therapy sessions, several common themes have emerged for children and youth during including feeling bored and tired. Back to school distance learning programs have triggered a sense of overwhelm, increased stress, and confusion for some. For families spending increased time at home together, results in comments such as “we’re driving each other crazy”!

So coming to the reality that this is a marathon and not a sprint, how do we cope with cabin fever while staying corona-free? Whether you are 6 or 60 years old, I hope these 5 tips are helpful for navigating this time:

  1. Develop and maintain a routine: We have just experienced rapid change to our daily routines. We humans love routine and can often experienced increased emotional vulnerability when our routines change quickly. Now is the time to adopt a new daily routine. Take a few minutes to sit down and establish a new home routine. If you have children, do this activity together. Make sure it includes:

    • A regular wake up and bed time.

    • Getting dressed— I know we are tempted to hang out in our PJ’s all day but getting dressed creates a mental shift for your day.

    • Exercise.

    • Time for work and homework. For parents working from home, this can be particularly challenging. Work into your daily routine when you are available and when you need to work. Try creating a visual system like a hotel “Come In/Privacy Please” sign for your door, your kid can do one too! Your child is also going to need help with their distance learning system. Make sure to schedule in time daily to help them problem-solve getting their questions answered.

    • Time for self care.

    • Regular meals.

    • A hygiene routine.

    • Time off your screens!

  2. Notice your emotional state: Check in with yourself throughout the day. How am I feeling? Notice if you feel keyed up or on edge; stressed; overwhelmed; or perhaps the opposite, exhausted; tired; spaced out; down. Maybe you are feeling calm; relaxed; present; and connected. Ask your child how they are feeling as well. If they are working with me, ask them which zone they are in. The feelings we experience impact the electromagnetic field around us, as the HeartMath Institute has researched. Animals certainly respond to what’s in the energetic field, as do children. What you are feeling impacts those around you and contributes to the communal and global electromagnetic field. Take a moment and ask yourself: What am I contributing to the field?

  3. Be Present: The Coronavirus get our heads spinning and completing disconnected from our bodies quickly. Check-in with yourself throughout the day: Am I in my head or in my body? Simple tools can bring your mind and body back together such as:

    • Deep Breathing

    • Focusing on your senses

    • Focusing your attention on something internal or external

    • Doing a body scan

    Animals are masters at Presence. If you have a pet, spend some time just observing them. What’s the world like from their perspective? Find time each day to be Present with your kids. Like animals, kids can sense when your body is present but your mind is somewhere else. Overtime, you might start to see behaviors in attempt to connect with your Presence. Practice these tools with your children, if they are working with me, they will know them already.

  4. Be Patient: Patience is built on Presence. Animals are incredibly patient, which also makes them incredibly forgiving. Channel your inner animal or look to your pet for guidance and be gentle and forgiving with yourself in the process. For kids, counting backwards is a great way to practice patience. If you need time from your child, be specific! Let them know just how much time you need, maybe set a timer, and stick to it! Coping with cabin fever while staying corona-free is going to take patience with everyone doing their part.

  5. Stay Connected: We as humans are social animals, we survive and thrive through connection and community. Here are some ideas for staying socially connected:

  • Call, video chat, email, and/or text regularly with your inner circle of support. Keep kids connected with family members and close friends virtually.

  • Reach out to that person you’ve been meaning to connect with but haven’t had the time.

  • Write a letter to a pen pal.

  • Encourage your kids to talk and play with their pets!

If you take one thing away from this blog, it is to stay emotionally and socially connected while maintaining physical distance.

The last thing I would like to offer is resources. I know everyone is being stretched in new ways and we could all use some extra resources:

If you, a loved one, a friend, or a community member is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, alone, or isolated please do not hesitate to contact Shanti at the Wish Fulfilling Tree. We are offering counseling services through video conferencing to those who live in California during this unprecedented time.

Be Well—Physically, Emotionally, Mentally

Shanti Hill-Gauer