Coping with Stress During Difficult Times
April 8, 2020
Balancing working from home, teaching your children, and being separated from friends and family can add even more stress to your daily routines. By keeping calm and regulating your own emotions, you can model self-regulation for your child. Read below for some tips on coping with stress during this time:
• Take care of yourself – Try to eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, and try to do something you enjoy every day, even if it is just for a short period of time.
• Keep a sleep routine – Even though you will probably find it hard right now, try to get as much rest as you can. If possible, try not to work from bed and power down your devices at least an hour before bedtime.
• Share your feelings – Chances are you are feeling tired, stressed, and even anxious. Stay in touch with family and friends through video chat for support.
• You don’t always have to be the perfect calm parent – When you find yourself having those challenging feelings, go ahead and narrate what you are feeling in front of your child so they see that different feelings are all OK and that you know that they come and go – treat them like a visitor you accept, are open to and then send them away.
For example: I’m feeling nervous. That’s OK, this feeling visits me sometimes. When the nervous feeling visits I can tell because my tummy aches a little and my voice gets louder. Sometimes my cheeks get red. I say “Oh nervous, you are here! Hi! Ok, you can come here for a little bit but then I’m going to take 4 deep breaths and send you away again”.
• Keep your perspective – Try to remember that this situation will not last forever. Try and step back and appreciate the moments you have with your family, even amid the chaos.
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