We are hearing more and more from our caregivers, clients, and friends that overwhelming emotions are running rampant right now in the midst of this pandemic. In many areas, families have been advised to 'shelter-in-place' for more than 6 weeks, and many are juggling special needs, e-learning, working from home, and challenges with not being able to see loved ones or friends.
It's okay to be frustrated, sad, angry, disappointed, or even grieving the loss of plans or events.
With a sudden increase of responsibility at home, partnered with the loss of outside interaction and activities, your emotions are both real and totally understandable. We have put together a few tips to help you deal with these overwhelming emotions (and workload) during such a time.
Prioritize What Really Matters
It's okay to put the kids' schooling first each day, or take breaks from working at home to spend lunch with your family. Keep in mind that kids, and even teenagers, are feeling many of the same feelings we are- though they may not be able to properly express them right now. Spending a little extra time with them is never something you'll regret. Revise that daily to-do list and leave things off that just aren't a priority.
Release the Guilt
Many of us, especially women, struggle with guilt. "I should be doing more around the house." or "I should be more productive right now." These probably sound familiar, right? Let it go! It's okay to let go of your Wonder Woman cape during a time of crisis and just take care of yourself. Take a hot bath with your favorite bath salts and essential oils, pour a glass of your favorite wine, and take a night off from worrying or guilt trips. It's okay to put yourself first for a change, too. Everyone copes differently during a crisis. Some are out there making masks, some are delivering meals to first responders, while some are knee deep in housework and toddlers, barely making home-cooked meals without losing their minds. You will probably have great days and bad days. And that's okay.
Find the Joy
Sometimes it's hard to find joy when there's sadness or overwhelm. It doesn't mean that it isn't there; it just might be harder to see the rainbow when it's cloudy. During stressful times, try to find the silver lining. It's different for everyone, but it might be the gift of working from home and saving mileage and time on a daily commute. It might be spending more time with a spouse who previously traveled a lot. It could be eating better, since you may have more time to cook at home. Even if you're struggling right now with things, there's always something to be grateful for. Find the gratitude and focus on that, especially on the toughest days.
We hope these tips have helped you today. Please know that if you are struggling and need some assistance with your senior at home, our Kind Companions are still available and working! We are still doing consultations for clients without symptoms, and we would be happy to chat with you about your specific needs and situation. Reach out to us today for help.