Keeping up With Mental Health During a Pandemic

As a result of COVID-19, our world is currently living in a moment of deep uncertainty, fear and confusion. We fear for the health of our loved ones, those who are elderly, those who are working in hospitals and clinics, and those who can’t afford to stay home due to the nature of their work or (lack of) benefits, or if you are like me fear for your health and your baby's because you are pregnant.

Some of us face these fears looking at the circumstances of our own lives as well. It seems each day brings more anxiety as we realize how serious the situation has become.

As a meditation leader and health coach, I’d like to offer some thoughts on how we can remain calm and manage our mental health and wellness.

Everything Is Closed - Except for Community

Schools are closed, day cares are closed, stores and restaurants are closed, gyms, networking events, luncheons, parities and everything that brings us together is put on hold. We are having to social distance from those we love, our friends who normally support us through thick and thin. We are limited to now seeing them via Zoom or FaceTime, and I am grateful for that.

We have to remember to still lean on those people, that we rely on, virtually. Community isn't closed. Friendships aren't closed. Support isn't closed. I took this opportunity to offer all of my in person events online and my community loves it because they needed it as much as I do.

Let's Talk Self-Care 

So, like, can this exist for moms?! Self-care is suddenly the new black, as people are finding themselves at home under shelter-in-place orders, with more time on their hands -- they're making homemade goods (have you noticed how hard it is to find flour during this pandemic), organizing their houses, and reading new books, listening to new podcast, and binging on Netflix.

However, moms don't have more time on their hands; in many ways, they have less. Moms are simply trying to stay sane and afloat while doing it all, with their kids home 24/7. How the heck can they find time for self-care when they can barely find time to wash their hair??

Read Finding time for yourself when you have ZERO time for helpful tips.

Do the Best you can, Something is Better than Nothing

We as moms put way too much pressure on ourselves trying to be supermom. We strive for perfection when good enough is efficient and what we realistically need to strive for. We feel this need to be mom, caregiver, dance instructor, soccer coach, teacher, cook, wife, and friend and do it at our fullest capacity. Wow, just thinking about that wears this mamma out. Why do we put this pressure on ourselves? Its unrealistic and guess what even the moms you follow on social media, the mom you admire in your mommy support group, they are struggling too they are just not telling you. So take this time and be gentle on yourself especially during this time, you do not need to be perfect, you are always ENOUGH.