Tiny Tips to Soothe Your #Coronanxiety

Happy Sunday (at least that’s what day I think it is!)

I stopped keeping track a few weeks ago and I’m not sure if that makes me more or less anxious. I also don’t wear pants all that much anymore either and I’m really not sure what to make of that. 

Anxiety is no stranger to me. But for some of you, this may be the first time you’re experiencing anxiety and situational trauma. You’re not alone, as emerging research suggests, anxiety due to loss of jobs, fear of sickness, and erosion of routine are already plaguing millions of Americans. 

Chances are, you’re one of them and you’re trying desperately to remain healthy and sane during this pandemic. I want to be clear that I am not a doctor and my tips should by no means replace precautions from the CDC or your local healthcare guidelines. These are just a few things (as a comedian and neighborhood fool) that I’ve been doing to try to keep my anxiety at bay from the comfort of my couch. Enjoy!

1. Throw out your old routine

Let’s face it. Nothing about this s*** is normal. So we can’t expect our lives to resemble how they once were. If you’re now working from home, out of work entirely, or hulled up in your house, try building a new routine that suits you in this quarantine. Give it flexibility. Make it a little ridiculous. For example. Here’s mine for Sunday:

11AM(ish): Wake up and try to avoid checking the news on my phone

11:30AM: Gently roll out of bed and open the curtains, greet the birds, make the bed

12PM: Make a coffee, greet the roommates

12:30PM: Do the dishes from last night that I was too lazy to do 

12:45PM: Read a book while eating cereal

1:30PM: Check-in with any writing clients, schedule a session if needed

2PM: Call Mom, make sure she know I’m alive

3PM: Take out the trash and go check the mail, take a walk around the block following social distancing rules, hit the wine store if low on supplies (we’re regulars now)

4PM: Writing time (if inspired)

5PM: Prep dinner

6PM: Eat dinner while watching Tiger King with roommate

7PM: Dessert 

8PM: Call a friend or goof off on Tik Tok until I get sleepy

10PMish: Fall asleep reading a book

2. Stay connected with friends

It’s hard not to feel isolated when you’re not allowed to leave your house. But consider the fact that literally everyone is doing the same thing! Out of this global pandemic, for arguably the first time in history, every single one of us is experiencing the same thing at the exact same time. So give those friends a call, send a letter or a care package to someone, and try out those Zoom happy hours we keep hearing so much about. Trust me, they’re not busy. 

3. Go easy on the productivity thing

In this week’s post by Ilana she talked about the pressures of needing to be productive during this pandemic and I couldn’t agree more with her. It’s very hard to be creative and positive right now, so don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t feel the urge to write a book, get super ripped in your living room, or jumpstart a project you’ve been sitting on for years. This is hard! And there is no rulebook. If you feel inspired, by all means, have at those gardens, yoga challenges, and that bestselling novel. But give yourself some grace. Just getting through each day is productive enough.

1. Go on a walk (seriously)

It’s impossible to stay sane if you don’t go outside and get fresh air. And I don’t mean going to a busy park and being close to people like all those stupid Springbreakers. But a simple stroll down your block will do wonders for your mental health. If you’re worried about running into too many people, pick an odd hour of the day or grab a scarf to wrap around your mouth and nose. Just make sure to wash your hands when you get back inside. 

1. Try a date night!

By this I do not mean running out to your local restaurant or movie theater…because obviously those are all closed down right now. But last week I convinced my roommate to get dressed up with me, cook an elaborate dinner, and drink lots of wine. I was so excited to put on a dress for the first time in months! And I have to admit we made a pretty damn good fettuccine alfredo. 

1. Dance on your rooftop!

You may have seen that viral video of the guy that asked out a girl who was dancing on her rooftop with a drone…and I’m a little skeptical if it was truly authentic, or a set up by a few famous internet kids…but either way, it got me thinking…Oh! I love to dance! And since my dance studio is closed for the foreseeable future, might as well get jiggy with it on my rooftop! Who knows, maybe a cute guy will send me a drone and ask me out! 

Well, that’s all the tips I have energy for today, and you know what? That’s OK! These are tough times for all of us and we are all just doing the best we can. If you need to take a nap, take one. If you need to cry, go on baby cry! 

We will get through this together! 

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