Everything has completely changed due to the coronavirus. The stress of not knowing when this will end sometimes feels daunting. It’s forced us to find new ways to cope and stay connected.

While, I’m a firm believer in embracing our feelings (and finding healthy ways to express them), now is not the time to let them rule your life. Feeling afraid is absolutely normal under these circumstances - but you don’t have to get stuck there.

Tips for Improved Self-care

Practicing good self-care has never been more important than it is right now.

The one positive thing that’s come from sheltering in place is having more time for self-care. Talking long walks, sleeping in, and reaching out for connection have become essential for coping each day.

For anxiety, try tapping, also known as The Emotional Freedom Technique. It’s an effective way to decrease anxiety quickly by calming the body through a series of taps. Click here to watch a video I did on How to Stay Calm Using Tapping.

Since most of us will be homebound for awhile, it’s a good time to try new things. Try something new like meditation, Tai Chi or start a new hobby. You can find anything on YouTube which has made learning so much easier!

Prioritizing self-care will be one of the most important habits you can develop right now. By taking good care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to handle things long-term.

Looking for Ways to Cope

Staying connected makes it easier to cope. Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation. Reaching out on a daily basis decreases the chances of sinking into a depression. Plus, when your needs are met, you’re less likely to take your frustrations out on loved ones.

You may be looking for ways to cope right now.

Being inundated with news updates while being stuck at home doesn’t help. The need for stability is critical during a crisis. Self-care and staying connected become vital.

Unfortunately, it’s also a time when people seek comfort in excess food or substances to cope. For others, their relationship are getting more difficult. Having too much time together can feel suffocating. If kids are at home, there’s even more stress added to the pile.

So making sure you can cope for an indefinite period of time is essential to your mental health. That’s why I’m writing this - to give you some options to help!

Online Support Options that Work

Ever since “shelter in place” started, my Facebook feed has been flooded with people sharing their experiences and concerns as if that was their only connection - and now that’s actually true. Staying connected online has provided a lifeline for millions of people right now.

We need ways to be together because without social contact it’s easy to slip into isolation and fear.

For most of us, seeing family and friends isn’t feasible under the current guidelines, but the need for emotional support has never been more critical.

12-Step meetings provide free online support for anyone who needs it.

Aren’t those programs only for alcoholics?

Well, yes and no…

Alcoholics Anonymous, the original program 12 step program, has been around for over 80 years and as their popularity grew, other programs were created to help with other addictions and issues related to mental health.

Basically, you can find help for almost anything! So how can this help you right now?

How 12 Steps Responded to the Crisis

Once shelter in place went into effect, 12 step meetings moved all of their face to face meetings online using Zoom. This created a seamless way to stay connected and provide support when it’s needed the most.

So here are some options for you.

If you’re struggling with alcohol or substances (even if only temporary) check out Alcoholics Anonymous.

If you’re struggling in your relationships right now, check out Al-Anon.

Al-Anon is the program for friends and families of alcoholics/addicts - but it’s ALSO for anyone who grew up with addiction, mental illness, or childhood dysfunction/trauma/abuse. It’s not just about alcoholism!

Most people experience relationship struggles at some point. You may have tried therapy for these issues with some success. Ideally, I always recommend therapy with 12 step support because they provide consistent support - plus they reinforce the tools learned.

If comfort or stress eating has become a problem, check out Overeaters Anonymous. This program is super helpful for those with food issues such as anorexia, binge eating and compulsive food behaviors.

How Do 12 Step Programs Help?

These programs provide concrete tools that support positive change. There are no fees (small donations cover expenses only) or requirements. You can “take what you like and leave the rest” in terms of working any aspects of the program.

12 Step Recovery helps with:

• Identifying where you have control (and where you don’t)

• Overcoming addictions

• Healing childhood wounds through the steps

• Providing sponsors for individual support

• Learning how to set healthy boundaries

• Understanding and changing dysfunctional behaviors

• Getting unconditional support and encouragement

• Developing a relationship with some kind of Higher Power

But I Don’t Believe in God

This is where most people get stuck but that’s okay! You don’t have to believe in anything in order to get the support you need. Some people come into the program as atheists and agnostics. You will not be shamed or made uncomfortable for your personal beliefs.

Warning - most of the meetings use the Lord’s Prayer which unfortunately gives a false impression. These programs are in no way a Christian focused group. Although if you’re looking for that focus check out Celebrate Recovery.

Having a safe place to learn relationship tools can help to ease the tension right now especially if you’re getting into more arguments. Many couples right now are adjusting to being at home so any increase is tension is understandable.

Some are worried about confidentiality so I recommend using earbuds during the online meetings to maintain privacy at home.

Final Thoughts - What You Can Do Now

We need connection more than ever right now. Utilizing 12 step support can keep you focused on what you can control which can ease your anxiety. Plus, just knowing that you’re not alone helps a lot!

Consider how this time at home could serve you in the long run. Maybe you’d like to decrease your anger or feel more confident in talking things out without getting defensive. I’m getting ready to host a live online workshop set called Stay Calm, Stay Connected on April 28th, 2020. If you’re interested sign up for my free blog below.

There will be gifts the other side of this pandemic. We need to have faith that one day at a time, we’ll get through this - better together.

In the meantime, why not join my list and get access to lots of free downloads and videos to support growth, I’d love to help.