Tips for coping with crisis -Part 3
By Kim Palchikoff – No Stigma Nevada
Accept that there are many things in our lives that are out of control.
Feeling a lack of control can be frustrating, lead to feelings of anger and even cause you to take it out on others. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s important to feel like we’re in control of our lives. It’s soothing to focus on the things we can control – cleaning your house, going through all the junk in your garage. I find that organizing my house clutter makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.
My bipolar disorder requires that I take a variety of medications, and they help me feel in control of my emotions. Medications alone won’t work miracles, but they can be effective.
Make a list of everything you feel in control of, and work on those items: eating healthy, doing activities like cleaning out your file cabinet or playing online games, or communicating with friends. Writing things down that you have control over and putting the list somewhere visible that you see everyday, like on your refrigerator, can be useful.
Don’t feel weird or uncomfortable about reaching out to mental health professionals.
It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. You are taking actions that can help you cope. Professionals spend their careers helping people solve issues with their emotions. Many are solvable and not as difficult as we often think.
Take care of your sleep.
Go to bed at the same time every night, and maybe do some relaxation exercises before you turn in. Mental health professionals always talk about this. I like watching humorous Netflix and Hulu programs for 30 minutes — nothing too heavy, depressing or violent. Others may want to journal, pray or read. If you don’t get a good night’s rest and allow your brain to sleep for eight hours, your next day may be stressful.
Make time to laugh.
Even when there doesn’t seem anything funny about the coronavirus, find time for humor. I like to watch online re-runs of Saturday Night Live and Late Night comedy shows. This counteracts the negative thoughts in my brain. And it’s relaxing.
