How to Really Relax Right Now

For most of us, it’s tough to relax in the best of circumstances—that is, when we have the same routines, a commute that provides solo time, childcare, date nights, and other comforting rituals. But when we’re in the midst of a pandemic, winding down can feel impossible. Your mind might be ruminating about all kinds of fears: fear of the unknown, your health, your loved ones’ health, your financial situation, and the economic future of the country, said Lisa M. Schab, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker in the greater Chicago area. You also might be struggling with juggling work, caring for your kids, and helping them with distance learning. You might be trying to keep up with new projects using new technology you can’t figure out. You might be coping with losing your job. In short, relaxation might feel out of reach right now. But it doesn’t have to be completely off the table. Here’s a range of suggestions that might help: Let everyone be responsible for themselves. We’re able to relax more when we loosen our grip on controlling things we can’t control. For example, we can’t control how our neighbors act, how often our parents visit the grocery store, or whether our kids are enthusiastic about school, said Kathleen Smith, Ph.D, LPC, a psychotherapist in Washington, D.C. and author of the new book Everything Isn’t Terrible: Conquer Your Insecurities, Interrupt Your Anxiety, and Finally Calm Down. When you find yourself trying to control others’ t...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: General Mental Health and Wellness Mindfulness Self-Help Stress Success & Achievement coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic Relaxation social distancing stress reduction Source Type: blogs